CW PREP Public Child Welfare Certification Program (PCWCP) Scholarship
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services
Full in-state tuition plus a $1,400 stipend per semester for social work, sociology or psychology majors who commit to two years as a Kentucky child welfare worker.
- How much
- Full-time in-state tuition (public) or up to the highest public in-state tuition (private), plus $1,400 per fall/spring semester and $650 summer, for up to 4 semesters
- Who qualifies
- Commitment to 2 years of employment with Kentucky DCBS
- Full-time at a participating Kentucky university with 3-4 semesters left; 3.0 GPA in major courses; two child welfare courses completed; valid driver's license.
- For undergrads
- For social work, sociology, psychology students
- When to apply
- Check dates Per AHE 2027: April 15 for fall semester, October 15 for spring semester.
- How to apply
- Apply through CW PREP (childwelfareprep.com
- Phone 877-412-9773): essay questions, a 90-second video, three reference surveys, background checks and interviews
- Final approval by CHFS
- What you'll need
- state application + essay + video + recommendation + interview
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (kheaa.com) and page 2
The details
For full-time BSW, sociology or psychology majors at 16 participating Kentucky universities (Asbury, Brescia, Campbellsville, EKU, Kentucky State, Morehead State, Murray State, NKU, Simmons College of Kentucky, Spalding, University of the Cumberlands, UK, UofL, University of Pikeville, WKU). Public university students receive full-time in-state tuition; private university students up to the highest in-state public tuition. Stipend of $1,400 each fall and spring semester and $650 for summer, for up to 4 semesters. Requires 3-4 semesters remaining, 2.5 overall GPA and 3.0 in major courses, two child welfare courses, a valid driver's license; application includes 3 essay questions, a 90-second video, 3 reference surveys, background checks and interviews. Recipients must work for CHFS/DCBS in the social service worker series for 2 years or repay costs.
More money from Kentucky
- Optometry Scholarship$15,000 per recipient (2026-27; varies yearly with funding)
- College Access Program (CAP) GrantUp to $2,500 at a two-year institution; up to $5,300 at a four-year institution (2026-27)
- Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)Up to $3,300 for the 2026-27 academic year
- Early Graduation Scholarship CertificateOne-half of the state portion of the average per-pupil SEEK base guarantee for the graduation year (one-time)
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)Varies: $187-$500 per year of college for each high school year with a 2.75+ GPA, plus ACT/SAT bonus up to $500 and AP/IB/CAI supplements of $200-$300 per qualifying score (free/reduced lunch students)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
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- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
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- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
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