MSSA Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Minnesota Social Service Association

Description
The MSSA Undergraduate Scholarship supports undergraduate students who demonstrate a clear passion and commitment to careers in health and human services. It is intended for students preparing for professional roles that impact individual and community wellbeing. The award recognizes candidates who show promise for long-term work in fields related to social, behavioral, and public health services. Applicants should be able to articulate career goals in those areas.

Key takeaways:
- Supports undergraduates pursuing health and human service careers.
- Focus is on demonstrated commitment and future service in the field.
- Intended for students preparing for professional roles affecting community wellbeing.

Award Value
Two undergraduate scholarships are available, each valued at $2,000. These awards are distributed to individual recipients and are intended to offset educational expenses. The number and amount of scholarships are fixed as part of this program’s current funding.

Key takeaways:
- Two scholarships awarded total.
- Each scholarship is $2,000.
- Funds are intended to support undergraduate education costs.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for their application to be reviewed. Eligibility centers on institutional enrollment, declared majors in health and human service–related fields, membership in MSSA, and remaining time in an undergraduate program. Preference is given to applicants planning to work in the Midwest region.

**Membership:** Applicants must be members of MSSA and keep active membership throughout the award period (student membership is free).
**Enrollment:** Must be enrolled in an accredited program at a nonprofit academic institution.
**Declared Major:** Must have a health and human service–related major (examples below).
**Graduation Window:** Must have at least one semester remaining before graduating (examples: Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027, Summer 2027).
**Geographic Preference:** Preference given to those planning to work in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, or North Dakota.
**Verification:** Recipient will be asked to submit enrollment verification before funds are disbursed.

Key takeaways:
- Active MSSA membership required throughout the award period.
- Must be enrolled at an accredited nonprofit institution.
- Declared major must be related to health/human services.
- At least one semester must remain before graduation.
- Preference for applicants planning to work in the Midwest; enrollment verification required before payment.

Common Eligible Majors (examples)
The scholarship accepts a broad range of majors tied to health and human services. Common fields include social work, psychology, counseling, health administration, substance-use studies, family and consumer sciences, health science, criminal justice, human development, sociology, and public administration. This is not an exhaustive list; related majors may also qualify.

Key takeaways:
- Examples of eligible majors include social work, psychology, counseling, and health science.
- Fields tied to community, behavioral, and public health services are emphasized.
- If in doubt about a major’s eligibility, consult the scholarship application.

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit several specific items through the online application. Required materials include a completed online form, two to three short essays focused on career goals and interest in health and human services, and two letters of reference (with at least one from a professional or academic source). Incomplete applications or missing required documents will not be reviewed.

**Online application form:** Complete the official form available on the scholarship portal.
**Essay questions:** Provide thoughtful responses about career goals and commitment to health/human services (two to three essays).
**References:** Submit two letters of reference; at least one must be from a professional or academic contact.

Key takeaways:
- Submit the online application form plus all requested essays and references.
- Two to three essays are required, focused on career goals and interest in the field.
- Two reference letters required; one must be professional or academic.
- Incomplete submissions are not reviewed.

Application Timeline & Next Steps
Specific application deadlines, review windows, and notification dates are published on the scholarship application page. After the submission deadline, eligible applications are reviewed and finalists are selected; applicants will be notified according to the schedule posted with the application. The awarded recipient must provide any requested verification documents before funds are released.

Key takeaways:
- Check the scholarship application page for exact deadlines and notification dates.
- Eligible applications are reviewed after the submission deadline; finalists will be notified.
- Awardees must submit verification documents before disbursal.

More Information
Detailed instructions, official deadlines, and the application portal are available on the MSSA scholarship application page. For clarifications about eligibility, majors, or required materials, consult the online application or contact MSSA directly. Applicants should review the full application details before submitting to ensure compliance with all requirements.

Key takeaways:
- Full application details and deadlines are on the MSSA scholarship page.
- Contact MSSA for questions about eligibility or documentation.
- Review all instructions carefully before submitting your application.