NAJA Scholarship Social Work 2026 – National Association of Junior Auxiliaries

National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) United States (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, MO, TN)

NAJA Scholarship - National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Social Work Scholarship

Scholarship Description

The NAJA Scholarship Program, founded in 1962, is the longest-running Junior Auxiliary Project and the designated National Service Project of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA). Since its inception, the program has awarded more than 610 scholarships, totaling over $1.5 million for graduate studies in fields addressing the special needs of children and youth.

The NAJA Scholarship Program supports graduate-level students who are working or planning to work directly with children. It is designed to empower tomorrow's leaders by investing in education, building stronger communities, and inspiring future leaders in fields such as counseling, psychology, special education, speech pathology, and related disciplines.

The Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship, established in 1995, honors Betty Robbins of Ruston, Louisiana, who served NAJA as Director of Region V, First Vice-President, and President (1992-93). Contributions from the National Association, Junior Auxiliary Chapters, the Robbins family, memorials, and honorary gifts support this scholarship program.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of states with a Junior Auxiliary Chapter: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Applicants must plan to attend a U.S. college or university for full-time or part-time study.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications are available between September 1 and February 1. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by February 1, 2026. Scholarships are announced in April.

Application Period: September 1 – February 1

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

Scholarship Announcement: April 2026

Recommendation: Submit your application and all supporting documents well before the deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to complete the application online with all supporting documents.

Host Organization

The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth through community service and educational support. The NAJA Scholarship Program, founded in 1962, is the organization's longest-running project and designated National Service Project.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Graduate level studies (Master's or Doctoral) for one (1) year of study.

Fields addressing the special needs of children and youth include, but are not limited to:

Counseling
Psychology
Mental Health
Special Education
Speech Pathology
Exceptional Children
Remedial Skills Development
Hearing Impaired
Gifted & Talented

Note: Scholarships are not awarded for graduate work in administration or general education.

Target Group

The scholarship targets graduate students who are working or planning to work directly with children. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and permanent residents of one of the eligible states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Tennessee.

Scholarship Amount

Total Program Impact: Since 1962, the NAJA Scholarship Program has awarded:

610+ scholarships awarded
$1,515,504+ total granted

Scholarship duration: Awards are for one (1) year of graduate study.

Additional scholarship: The Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship is funded through contributions from the National Association, Junior Auxiliary Chapters, the Robbins family, memorials, and honorary gifts.

📊 Summary:
Scholarships Awarded: 610+
Total Granted: $1,515,504+
Duration: 1 year of graduate study
Eligible Fields: Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Speech Pathology, and related fields

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

Work focus: Must be working or planning to work directly with children.
Level: Pursuing graduate level studies (Master's or Doctoral) for one year.
Field: Fields addressing the special needs of children and youth (see list above). Not awarded for administration or general education.
Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
Residency: Permanent resident of one of the eligible states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Tennessee.
Institution: Planning to attend a U.S. college or university for full-time or part-time study.

✅ Eligible Candidates

U.S. citizens.
Permanent residents of AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, MO, or TN.
Graduate students (Master's or Doctoral).
Working or planning to work directly with children.
Fields: Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Speech Pathology, etc.
Attending a U.S. college or university.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

Non-U.S. citizens.
Residents outside eligible states (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, MO, TN).
Undergraduate students.
Not working or planning to work directly with children.
Fields: Administration or general education.
Not attending a U.S. institution.

Application Procedure

Check eligibility – Ensure you meet all criteria: U.S. citizen, resident of an eligible state, graduate student, and working or planning to work directly with children.
Visit the official website – Go to www.najanet.org/naja-scholarship to access the application forms.
Access application forms – The application and re-application forms are available between September 1 and February 1.
Complete the online application – It is the applicant's responsibility to complete the application online with any and all supporting documents by the deadline.
Submit by the deadline – All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by February 1, 2026.
Await notification – Scholarships are announced in April 2026.

Important notes: Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all documents are submitted on time. The Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship provides additional funding opportunities through donations and contributions.

Official Website & Application Links

NAJA Scholarship – Official Page

Application Forms: Available on the official NAJA website between September 1 and February 1.

Contact: For questions, visit the NAJA website for contact information.

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💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

The NAJA Scholarship provides meaningful financial support to graduate students dedicated to working with children in fields such as counseling, psychology, special education, and speech pathology. With over 610 scholarships awarded and $1.5 million granted since 1962, the program has a long-standing commitment to investing in education and building stronger communities.

Key strategies for a successful application:

Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria — U.S. citizenship, residency in an eligible state (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, MO, TN), and graduate-level enrollment.
Confirm your field of study addresses the special needs of children and youth — administration and general education are not eligible.
Demonstrate a clear commitment to working directly with children.
Complete the online application with all supporting documents by February 1, 2026.
Check the NAJA website for the application link, which is available between September 1 and February 1.

Important reminders: The scholarship is for one year of graduate study. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit a complete application. The Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship is supported by donations and contributions from NAJA chapters and the community.

NAJA Scholarship Social Work 2026 – FAQ

What is the NAJA Scholarship?

It is a graduate scholarship program run by the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), supporting students working with children in fields like counseling, psychology, and special education.

Who is eligible to apply?

U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Tennessee, and are pursuing graduate studies in fields addressing the special needs of children.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is February 1, 2026. Applications are available between September 1 and February 1.

What fields of study are eligible?

Counseling, Psychology, Mental Health, Special Education, Speech Pathology, Exceptional Children, Remedial Skills Development, Hearing Impaired, and Gifted & Talented. Administration and general education are not eligible.

How much is the scholarship?

The scholarship amount varies. The program has awarded over $1.5 million across more than 610 scholarships since 1962.

How long is the scholarship for?

The scholarship is for one (1) year of graduate study.

How do I apply?

Apply online at www.najanet.org/naja-scholarship when applications are open (September 1 – February 1). Submit all required documents by February 1, 2026.