Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan
Michigan Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship is an opportunity to provide additional resources and support to students committed to working in Michigan’s Child Welfare System – Children’s Protective Services, Foster Care, Licensing and Adoption.
The aim of this program is to recruit, retain and educate students to be leaders in the field of child welfare. The fellowship includes requirements for course work and practicum education. Additionally, fellows will receive a stipend. Students will be contractually obligated to search for and accept employment in public, private, or tribal child welfare agencies in the State of Michigan upon graduation.
Title IV-E Funding
- BSW students – $5000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 4950 & SW4951.
- MSW students – $8000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 5950 & SW5951 or SW 6950 and SW 6951.
- MSW Traditional Students may receive funding for more than two semesters but will need to reapply.
This funding is classified as Other Financial Assistance (OFA) and will be factored into the calculation of a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as loan programs and overall cost of attendance. Payments will first be applied toward tuition or any outstanding university balance before any potential refund is issued. If a student has used loans to cover tuition, this award will be applied to reduce or reverse the loan amount.
Important Dates
Title IV E Child Welfare Fellowship applications are due April 15, 2026.
Program At-A-Glance
Program Available
BSW & MSW (Advanced Standing and Traditional)
Format
On campus with some online course offerings
Program Availability
Full-time and Part-time
Important Dates
Title IV E Child Welfare Fellowship applications are due April 15, 2026.
Program At-A-Glance
Program Available
BSW & MSW (Advanced Standing and Traditional)
Format
On campus with some online course offerings
Program Availability
Full-time and Part-time
Michigan Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship is an opportunity to provide additional resources and support to students committed to working in Michigan’s Child Welfare System – Children’s Protective Services, Foster Care, Licensing and Adoption.
The aim of this program is to recruit, retain and educate students to be leaders in the field of child welfare. The fellowship includes requirements for course work and practicum education. Additionally, fellows will receive a stipend. Students will be contractually obligated to search for and accept employment in public, private, or tribal child welfare agencies in the State of Michigan upon graduation.
Title IV-E Funding
- BSW students – $5000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 4950 & SW4951.
- MSW students – $8000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 5950 & SW5951 or SW 6950 and SW 6951.
- MSW Traditional Students may receive funding for more than two semesters but will need to reapply.
This funding is classified as Other Financial Assistance (OFA) and will be factored into the calculation of a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as loan programs and overall cost of attendance. Payments will first be applied toward tuition or any outstanding university balance before any potential refund is issued. If a student has used loans to cover tuition, this award will be applied to reduce or reverse the loan amount.
Program At-A-Glance
Program Available
BSW & MSW (Advanced Standing and Traditional)
Format
On campus with some online course offerings
Program Availability
Full-time and Part-time
Michigan Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship is an opportunity to provide additional resources and support to students committed to working in Michigan’s Child Welfare System – Children’s Protective Services, Foster Care, Licensing and Adoption.
The aim of this program is to recruit, retain and educate students to be leaders in the field of child welfare. The fellowship includes requirements for course work and practicum education. Additionally, fellows will receive a stipend. Students will be contractually obligated to search for and accept employment in public, private, or tribal child welfare agencies in the State of Michigan upon graduation.
Title IV-E Funding
- BSW students – $5000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 4950 & SW4951.
- MSW students – $8000 per semester up to 2 semesters during enrollment in SW 5950 & SW5951 or SW 6950 and SW 6951.
- MSW Traditional Students may receive funding for more than two semesters but will need to reapply.
This funding is classified as Other Financial Assistance (OFA) and will be factored into the calculation of a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as loan programs and overall cost of attendance. Payments will first be applied toward tuition or any outstanding university balance before any potential refund is issued. If a student has used loans to cover tuition, this award will be applied to reduce or reverse the loan amount.
Title IV-E Eligibility
Students may be enrolled in full-time or part-time programs. Students must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, DACA status or eligible noncitizens to participate in the fellowship.
Title IV-E Fellows Agree To:
- Complete all necessary coursework
- Complete their field education placement at a public, private, or tribal child welfare agency in the State of Michigan
- Be employed in an approved position at a public, private, or tribal child welfare agency in the State of Michigan for the minimum payback period, upon graduation.
Specialized Courses
Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellows must complete the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Certificate that includes the following courses:
BSW Students
Required courses
- SW 3101 – Human Behavior and Social Environment l
- SW 3313 – Child Welfare
- SW 4103 – Social Work Practice I
Elective Choose 2
- SW 3112 – Substance Abuse Theory and Practice I
- SW 3212 – Substance Abuse Theory and Practice II
- SOC 3400 – Sociology of Family
- CRJ 3300 – Alcohol, Drugs and Society
- CRJ 3223 – Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
MSW Advanced Standing
Required courses
- Earned Child Welfare Certificate or Minor in Child Welfare from BSW Program
Electives Options Suggestions
- SW 5430 – Trauma-Informed Social Work
- SW 5330 – Crisis Response
- SW 5440 – Advance Practice with Groups
MSW Traditional Students
Required courses
- SW 5996 Child Welfare
- SW 5101 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
- SW 5100 – Foundations of Generalist Practice I
- SW 6101 – Cultural Humility for Social Work Practice
- SW 6202 – Policy II: Advocacy and Change
Electives Options Suggestions
- SW 5430 – Trauma-Informed Social Work
SW 5330 – Crisis Response
SW 5440 – Advance Practice with Groups
Specialized Field Education Placement
Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellows must complete their field placement in a public, private, or tribal child welfare agency in the State of Michigan.
Application
If you are interested in applying for the Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship, please fill out this application form.
Upcoming Fellowship Events at Oakland University
Upcoming Fellowship Events at Oakland University
OU Frequently Asked Questions
Courses
If I earned the Child Welfare Certificate Endorsement during my BSW program, will I have to retake those courses in graduate school?
No, you would not have to retake the courses if the Child Welfare Certificate was previously earned through your BSW. We do offer suggestions for courses to take as electives.
OU has a BSW Program and an MSW program. Is the fellowship offered in both programs?
Yes, you may enter into Title IVE in both the BSW and MSW Programs.
Stipend
How will the stipend be provided to me?
This funding is classified as Other Financial Assistance (OFA) and will be factored into the calculation of a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as loan programs and overall cost of attendance. Payments will first be applied toward tuition or any outstanding university balance before any potential refund is issued. If a student has used loans to cover tuition, this award will be applied to reduce or reverse the loan amount. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid to inquire how this will impact your student account and eligible loan borrowing.Â
How will the stipend be applied?
Payments will first be applied toward tuition or any outstanding university balance before any potential refund is issued. If a student has used loans to cover tuition, this award will be applied to reduce or reverse the loan amount.
Field Placement
What are my options for field placement?
Students can find a field placement at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, private agencies or any of the tribal agencies. The field placement is an opportunity to provide hands-on preparation for the workforce, therefore the placement should be in a role primarily involved in doing child welfare work. This may include CPS investigator or foster care case manager.
Do I have to find my own field placement?
No, students will work closely with the Director and Coordinator of Practicum Education to find a field placement to satisfy the objectives of the Child Welfare Fellowship.
Employment Payback
I don’t know where to search for jobs, where can I find help?
The program coordinator and workforce expansion grant manager at OU is available to assist you with the job search process.
How can I find out if my job qualifies?
The program coordinator and workforce expansion grant manager at OU at can verify if the position you secured qualifies.
Who do I provide my job search details with?
The program coordinator and workforce expansion grant manager are responsible for keeping track of your payback requirements. Be sure to stay in contact with them after graduation! It is important to stay in contact with your coordinator at OU until the completion of your payback period.
Contact Admissions
Maria Beam, Ph.D, LMSW
Oakland University Social Work
[email protected]
