The USC School of Social Work has been awarded $50,000 by The Ahmanson Foundation to support scholarships for military veterans.

USC is one of only 25 colleges and universities selected to receive funds totaling $1.25 million through the newly established Ahmanson Veteran Scholarship Initiative. The grants are meant to help students eligible for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 attend and graduate from private institutions of higher education.

“These young men and women have done so much for this country, and The Ahmanson Foundation is delighted to play a role in helping them re-start their education and assimilate back to their civilian lives,” said William H. Ahmanson, president of The Ahmanson Foundation.

The School of Social Work’s commitment to supporting soldiers and veterans includes the USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families, launched in 2009 with a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. The school also developed the Military Social Work and Veteran Services sub-concentration – the first of its kind at a civilian research institution – which provides specialized education and training to prepare students to serve the unique issues of military service members, veterans and their families.

The school currently has a waiting list of gifted veterans hoping to become students, and robust scholarship support is crucial to its admission efforts.

“USC has a long and proud history of supporting its veterans and military service members, as well as their families,” said USC President C. L. Max Nikias. “The USC School of Social Work’s military social work program reflects the university’s commitment to attracting veterans and military spouses to further their education, and—in the case of this program—to prepare for a career serving their fellow veterans and military families.

“USC is grateful for the Ahmanson Foundation’s gift, which will help provide critical financial resources for deserving and talented students.”