A&M-Texarkana Master of Social Work Students (MSW) Can Benefit from Title IV-E Stipend Program Beginning in Fall 2026

TEXARKANA, Texas - Beginning with the upcoming Fall 2026 semester, students who are enrolled in Texas A&M University-Texarkana's Master of Social Work degree program are eligible to apply for stipends through the federally funded Title IV-E Student Stipend Program. The program provides stipends to current and prospective Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Single Source Continuum of Care (SSCC) employees to further their education. In exchange for financial assistance provided, the student agrees to continue or to accept employment with DFPS or a SSCC contractor for a specific period following graduation.

Students may receive a maximum of $6,000 per semester through the program and must agree to work for DFPS for a period of eight months for every semester in which a stipend is received. The work requirement drops to four months for every semester of aid received if the recipient is already employed by DFPS.

"Title IV-E is a win-win for our community," said Dr. Kristine Yells, Associate Professor of Social Work and Human Services Division Chair. "It benefits the students who receive tuition assistance and practice experience doing their clinical hours with DFPS or one of their partner agencies that provide child welfare services. The agencies benefit from the assistance they get from students as well as a trained worker when the student graduates and goes to work for them."

The demand for social workers is high at both the national and state levels. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that over the next eight years employment growth for social workers will rise at about 6% annually, a growth rate faster than all other occupations, and anticipates approximately 74,000 social work job openings each year.

In Texas, the shortage is even more severe. A study conducted for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board indicates that Texas currently has a 27% unmet demand for social workers, and that number could reach as high as 36% in a decade.

"Texas A&M University-Texarkana is deeply committed to helping meet the healthcare needs of our region, particularly in rural areas where that need is the greatest," said A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. "The Title IV-E Program not only gives our students a significant advantage with regards to paying for their education, but it also guarantees a job for them after graduation."

Students interested in applying for the Title IV-E program should contact Andrea Kelley, Lecturer of Social Work, at [email protected].