June 23, 2010

BCU Accepting Applications for Social Work Stipends

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Department of Social Work at Briar Cliff University is accepting applications for educational stipends now through July 14, 2010, from Native Americans desiring to study social work and pursue careers in child welfare.

By June 30, applicants must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafasa.edu.gov. Applicants also must meet the criteria set forth by the Siouxland Indian Child Welfare Traineeship Project (SICWTP) advisory committee and the Briar Cliff Department of Admissions. Priority will be given to applicants enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Family and tribal team decision-making meetings will be conducted on the BCU campus in July. 

The stipends will be awarded to qualified candidates who are accepted into the program for the 2010-2011 academic year, which begins on Sept. 1.

In 2009, Briar Cliff was awarded a $550,000 grant for the educational stipends for Native American social work students. The grant is also designated to develop and promote child welfare competencies with a focus on Indian child welfare through social work education at Briar Cliff. 

For application information, call Heather Craig-Oldsen, BCU associate professor of social work and department chairperson, at 712 279-5489.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 28 states.  Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

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