The Ford Scholars Program prepares students to help address the pervasive homelessness experienced in Washington, D.C.

The program was founded in 2024 by a $1.76 million grant from the Alice and Eugene Ford Foundation to provide opportunities for NCSSS master’s students in social work (MSWs) related to homeless services. The program funds two-year scholarships for a cohort of eight students, with the goal of increasing the number of social workers able to provide clinical services to unhoused D.C. residents.  

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Ford scholars in class

Real Community, Real-World Experience

We provide students real social service experience as well as a supportive community of fellow scholars and instructors who encourage each other as they navigate this field. As a Ford Scholar, you can expect 

  • A focus on clinical skills for social work students to use while working with D.C. residents experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
  • Collaboration and support from a close-knit community of students passionate about working in Washington, D.C. homeless services.
  • Weekly online integrative field seminar for students to share their experiences in the field, while incorporating clinical skills and best practices for supporting unhoused individuals.
  • Frequent guest speakers with expertise in the field, from agency and community partners such as Unity Healthcare, Ayuda, HIAS, the ACLU, the DC Department of Behavioral Health, and Pathways to Housing. 

 

"Since starting the [Ford Scholars] program, I have started utilizing the theories and methods I have learned in the field, and I can see the difference it’s making. I focus on empowerment and a solution-focused approach that clients respond to better than anything I tried before."
— Ford Scholar student

 

Ford Scholar talking in class

Program Experience

  1. Ford Scholars are required to participate in a weekly online seminar with other cohort participants, as well as serve at a field placement in the Washington, D. C.  area in direct service with unhoused individuals. 
  2. Students complete the NCSSS Field Department requirements for:
    1. Generalist Year- a minimum of 14 hours of field weekly from September - May, for an average of 210 hours per semester.  Students must have accrued 420 hours by the end of their placement in order to satisfy this requirement. 
    2. Specialized Year- a minimum of 16 hours of field weekly from September - May, for an average of 240 hours per semester.  Students must have accrued 480 hours by the end of their placement in order to satisfy this requirement. 

Ford Scholars complete field hours at a variety of sites serving individuals experiencing homelessness, including, but not limited to:

How to Apply

For New Students:

  1. Apply for Graduate Admission at Catholic University. 
  2. Once you are admitted to the program, complete the NCSSS Scholarship Application.  In your Scholarship Essay, please discuss your interest in working with homelessness.
  3. Complete an interview with Meg Dominguez, Ford Scholars Program Field Liaison

Deadline to apply: priority deadline February 14, 2026.

For Current NCSSS students:

  • For current Part-Time NCSSS MSW students not yet in field placement,  complete the NCSSS Scholarship Application, including the essay highlighting your interest in the program and homeless services. You will then complete an interview with Meg Dominguez, Ford Scholars Program Field Liaison.  

Deadline to apply: priority deadline February 14, 2026.

Apply for Graduate Admission
Apply for an NCSSS Scholarship

Eligibility

  • Scholars must demonstrate an interest in devoting their energy, care and skills supporting unsheltered individuals or those at risk of becoming unsheltered.
  • Scholars will be required to complete both their Field Placement years at DC area agencies that specialize in working with unhoused residents and reducing homelessness.
  • Scholars will be selected from students in or applying to the MSW program in the NCSSS
  • Scholars must demonstrate financial need and complete a FAFSA form.

Selection and Decision Process

  • Students interested in the Ford Scholars Program who are accepted into NCSSS will be contacted after their submission of Scholarship Application and FAFSA form for an interview before decisions are made.
  • Deadline to apply: February 14, 2026
  • Students will be notified of selection in March 2026. 

 Application Checklist

  • Acceptance into NCSSS at Catholic University
  • Completed Scholarship Application
  • Completed FAFSA form
  • Completed interview with Meg Dominguez, Ford Scholars Program Liaison

Important Dates

  • Program Dates: We are currently recruiting a Ford Scholars cohort for Fall 2026-May 2028  (must graduate Spring 2028)
    • Year 1:  August 31, 2026 until April 28, 2027
    • Year 2: August 30, 2027 - April 28, 2028
    •  Graduation: May 13, 2028
  • The deadline to apply for the Ford Scholars Program is 2/14/2026.
  •  Participants will be notified of the outcome of their selection in March 2026. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much is the scholarship?

    $25,000 per academic year; $50,000 across two years. Participation in both years of the cohort are required.

  • Is the seminar in-person or online?

    Our 2026-2028 cohort seminar will be weekly online live. Virtual and in-person students are both welcome and encouraged to apply. Throughout the two years of the program, there may be events that require in-person attendance.

  • Can I do a field placement somewhere not in the DC area?

    The goal of the cohort is to clinically train more social workers assisting unhoused individuals in the DC/MD/VA area. Therefore, all field placements must happen in this geographical vicinity.

  • I want to do the scholarship program, but prefer a placement that doesn’t work primarily with individuals experiencing homelessness and services a different population or community. Is that possible?

    No, the mission of the program is clinical work with unhoused populations. Participants in the Ford Scholars Program will be placed at sites that work primarily with unhoused individuals for both years.

  • Do I need to have financial needs to apply?

    Yes, all students applying are required to complete the FAFSA form to demonstrate financial need to receive the scholarship.

  • I am already a NCSSS student and in a field placement. Can I apply?

    No, if you have already started a field placement you are not eligible to apply for this program.

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