I have been working at my agency for three months; do I qualify?
No, you must have at least one year of service at your agency to be eligible.

I have been working at my current agency for three months, but was previously employed by a dv agency for one year; do I qualify? Yes, as long as you can show you have a minimum of one year service in the domestic violence field and your current employer feels they know you well enough to recommend you and complete the Employer Section of the application.

I have volunteered for my agency for over a year but I am not an employee; do I qualify?
Yes; we accept applications from dedicated volunteers. We recognize that volunteers make a serious commitment to their agencies and put in many hours of unpaid work. Many also need to acquire skills to accept paid employment with their agencies.

I want to go into nursing; do I qualify?
No; support from this scholarship is limited to the following programs of study: social work, counseling, psychology, accounting, computer science, non-profit management and business management. Keep in mind that the purpose of the scholarship is to help workers in the field of domestic violence develop and enhance their skills so as to increase their effectiveness in serving clients.

I want to go to grad school; does this scholarship cover grad school?
Yes, we have funding available for grad students. Keep in mind you must still be pursuing programs in the covered areas of study.

What is the amount of this scholarship?
Up to $3,000 is available per academic year.

My program is on a quarter system; how much can I realistically expect from this scholarship?
The maximum available per academic year from CASS is $3,000. If you are on a quarter system and intend to enroll for all four quarters, the maximum per quarter is $750. If you will only attend three quarters (that is, not take classes in the summer) then the maximum will be $1,000 per term. For those on a semester system attending only Fall and Spring, the maximum is $1,500 per term. Whatever the academic term system, the maximum per academic year is $3,000.

What are the deadlines?

What happens if my application misses the deadline?
We have a limit of 50 award recipients per academic year. If we have not met that limit, we will consider “late” applications. Applications are reviewed on a “first come, first served” basis so it is in your own best interest to submit your application early – don't wait for the deadline.

Do I have to promise to work for my current employer after I graduate?
While we hope that you will continue with your current employer, we do not ask that you promise to do so. We recognize that agencies may not have employment opportunities that are suitable to new graduates. We do hope that should CASS graduates change employers, they will continue to work to end domestic violence.

I want to do an on-line program; does that qualify?
Yes, as long as the program is accredited, it can qualify. Our first test of accreditation is that students are eligible for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA funds). Check with the school to be sure it meets this criterion.

I'm not going to accept any financial aid, so why do I have to be eligible for FAFSA funds?
This tells us that the school is accredited. Accreditation is important, because a degree earned at an unaccredited institution is worthless – and usually expensive. Accredited schools do not accept transfer credits from schools that are unaccredited and any diploma from such a school is usually considered from a “diploma mill”.

Do I have to accept federal financial aid if it is awarded?
No, but keep in mind that the maximum available from this scholarship will not change if you decline federal financial aid, and that accepting financial aid will not affect your eligibility for a CASS scholarship. Also, if you are awarded Pell or other grants, these funds do not have to be repaid; it is usually in your best interest to accept these grants.