ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Honors at graduation. The School of Social Work recognizes high academic achievement by designating the following three classes of honors at graduation:

• Summa cum laude. A student graduating with a degree designated summa cum laude shall have maintained a grade point average of 3.9 or higher for all college-level work.
• Magna cum laude. A student graduating with a degree designated magna cum laude shall have maintained a grade point average of 3.7 or higher, but less than 3.9, for all college-level work.
• Cum laude. A student graduating with a degree designated cum laude shall have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.7, for all college-level work.

The minimum averages of 3.9, 3.7, and 3.5 cannot be achieved by rounding. Averages will be calculated for performance in all courses in which the student is enrolled prior to receiving the degree.

Dean's Scholars, awards, and scholarships. Social work students are also eligible for the following honors and scholarships:

• Dean's Scholars. Seniors with overall grade point averages of 3.5 or higher based on at least 12 hours of work at The University of Alabama are recognized as Dean's Scholars.
• Distinguished Scholars. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with overall grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are recognized as Distinguished Scholars.
• Howard B. Gundy Scholarship. Established in 1985 in honor of Howard B. Gundy, this fund provides a scholarship to an outstanding entering freshman. It is renewable if academic standards for the scholarship are maintained.
• Frank R. Egan Scholarship. Established in 1987 in memory of Frank R. Egan, this fund provides a scholarship for disadvantaged students. It is renewable if satisfactory academic performance is maintained.
• The School of Social Work Board of Friends Endowed Scholarship. Established in 2002, this scholarship is funded to promote the education of students in the School of Social Work. Currently, priority consideration is given to full-time undergraduates.
• B.S.W. Research Scholar and B.S.W.–M.S.W. Research Scholar Programs. These are two-semester programs for (a) students in the first or second year of the professional program, and (b) students in the spring semester of the second year of the professional program who plan to enter our M.S.W. program. With faculty supervision, scholars conduct research projects that have been proposed by agencies. The scholarships include a stipend and a partial tuition waiver. See the application materials available from the B.S.W. Program Chair, for details regarding qualifications and responsibilities.
• School of Social Work Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipends. Through a partnership with the State Department of Human Resources, Child Welfare Division, the School of Social Work has a few federally-funded child welfare stipends to award B.S.W. students. Students, typically B.S.W. seniors, who are selected through an application and interview process, are awarded a monthly stipend while in classes and field education. The stipend carries an obligation for the student to complete a specific child welfare field placement with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), and to be available for employment with DHR's Child Welfare Division for a period of time after graduation. B.S.W. students who are in the professional program and who are interested in applying for such a stipend should contact the Field Education Coordinator.