The Title IV-E Public Child Welfare Stipend Program (Title IV-E) provides financial support and prepares students for careers in public child welfare. Title IV-E is available to BASW and MSW students pursuing or continuing a career in public child welfare.
| Program | 3 year (part time) program on campus OR online; Pathway Distance Education Program | 2 year (full time) program on campus |
1 year Advanced Standing program on campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipend Option | n/a |
$25,000 per year up to two years |
$25,000 per year up to one year |
| Reimbursement Option | Up to $19,141 per year for up to three years. Must be current employee of a qualifying agency to be considered. | n/a | Up to $19,141 per year Must be current employee of a qualifying agency to be considered. |
| Stipend Option |
$20,270 per year up to one year |
|---|---|
|
Reimbursement Option |
Up to $19,141 per year |
- Students receive funds each academic year. Funds are disbursed each semester.
- Current employees of a county public child welfare agency or qualifying tribal social service agency that are interested in the stipend option instead of the reimbursement option may apply for the program and continue employment to maintain IV-E Program eligibility throughout the program with an approved leave of absence and submit a letter of support from employee’s agency director, upon request.
- Students will have one year from graduation to obtain qualified employment in any county in California.
- Reimbursement for actual tuition, fees, books, travel not to exceed $19,141 per year.
- Paid on a reimbursement only. Student must be prepared to pay tuition, fees, books, and travel, and provide original receipts for reimbursement. Funds disbursed each semester.
- Must be a current employee of a county public child welfare agency or qualifying tribal social service agency and continue employment to maintain IV-E eligibility throughout the program. (If you are unsure if your agency qualifies, contact swtitleive@csusb.edu to confirm).
- Must have the support of your employer prior to final award. Consult with your agency before applying.
- Prepare to submit a letter of support from the agency director, or designee, when requested by the university.
- Employment obligation must be with the sponsoring county in a qualifying position. If the student is not currently in a qualifying position the student will have six months to obtain employment in a qualifying position with the sponsoring county.
General Program Requirements:
All applicants must:
a. Be admitted into the applicable CSUSB social work program to be considered.
b. Be able to work in California during the program and the duration after graduation.
c. Have a valid California driver’s license and maintain it throughout the program.
d. Have the use of a vehicle for field; provide proof of vehicle liability insurance, and current registration during the course of the program.
- Once awarded, students must maintain academic eligibility by maintaining, completing all courses, and advancing to candidacy in a timely manner. If a student becomes academically ineligible or decides to separate from the program, he/she will lose the stipend or reimbursement support. As a result, the student will be required to repay the cost of all financial support received with interest at 5% per annum.
- Stipend awardees are provided child welfare specific internships, curriculum, internship seminars and electives. This includes a public child welfare elective, and at least one year in a public child welfare internship.
- All stipend funds are contingent on the availability of federal funds.
- Recipients will be required to sign contracts each year and funding is not automatically guaranteed each year. Your eligibility for additional financial aid will be impacted. It is the student’s responsibility to manage their eligibility for and receipt of financial aid. Questions regarding financial aid need to be directed to the CSUSB financial aid office.
- Student agrees to seek and accept qualifying employment in a California county, tribal or state public child welfare social service agency, and render two years of continuous full-time employment; Advanced Standing is one year of continuous full-time employment.
Employment Obligation Requirements:
If a Title IV-E stipend student or graduate does any of the following, he/she must repay the stipend / reimbursement support with interest at 5% per annum, and collection costs:
1. Fails to satisfactorily complete academic and/or practicum requirements for social work degree for any reason.
2. Voluntarily terminates the education program any reason.
3. Is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
4. County and tribal agency employees in the Title IV-E Stipend option do not continue employment in good standing at the agency throughout the program.
5. Does not apply for or accept employment in, or is not hired for any reason by a qualifying California county, state or tribal social services agency, post graduation.
6. Employment is terminated at qualifying post graduation agency for any reason.
Contact for Title IV-E Public Child Welfare Stipend Program:
Stephanie Schneider, Ph.D, MSW
Title IV-E Program Coordinator
Phone: (909) 537-7223
E-mail: stephanie.schneider@csusb.edu
We are located on the fourth floor of the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Building. The MSW and BASW office is in SB-423.