
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend program at CSUSM provides specialized training for students who are committed to working in public child welfare. The program is funded through a federal grant from the Title IV-E Social Security Act, with the goal of improving the quality of foster care, reducing the number of children in foster care, returning children to their homes as soon as conditions permit, and facilitating the adoption or permanent placement of children who cannot be returned to their homes.
Students selected to participate in the stipend program gain knowledge and practice experience working in child public welfare settings that will prepare them for a career in this field. Participants receive an annual stipend of $18,500 each year they are funded (up to 2 years), and upon graduating with their MSW degree, commit to working in a county child welfare agency for the period of time they received financial support. Indigenous graduates may also complete their employment requirement in a California Reservation Child Welfare Services agency, urban Indian agency in California serving Title IV-E eligible children and families, or a non-California Reservation Child Welfare Services agency.
Interested students must submit an application to participate in the Child Welfare Stipend Program. IV-E applicants must apply to the CSUSM Master of Social Work program simultaneously and will only be considered for the Child Welfare Stipend Program if they are accepted to the MSW program. Full-time stipends are available to 2-year full-time and Advanced Standing applicants. 3-year evening/hybrid stipends may be available for qualifying HHSA Child Welfare employees.
For the 2023-2024 application cycle there are two Title IV-E Stipend options:
1. MSW Full-time 2-year or Advanced Standing
2. MSW Full-time 2-year or Advanced Standing Tribal/Native Students interested in
only working with Tribal Child Welfare
*Only applicants that submit a complete application to the MSW Program BY the MSW
Application deadline will be considered for the IV-E stipend. Any IV-E applications submitted/received after that will not be considered.