Tuition and Fees

Hamline's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults requires five residencies and four semesters to graduate. Cost per residency includes all workshops and program-related events. Residency (4 credits) + Semester (8) = combined (12 credits). Five residencies and four semesters are required. Cost per residency includes all workshops and program-related events. Total of 52 credits. Find cost of tuition here. 

There is a Residency Reception/Dining Fee of $85. This fee includes the opening and closing banquets as well as our mid-week receptions. What additional costs can I expect at the residencies?

Scholarships and Funding Information

Hamline University recognizes the important role that scholarships serve in helping students finance their education. In addition to the scholarships listed below, Hamline provides information on external scholarships and awards to its MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC) students.

Merit Scholarships - $500–$1,000

• The low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Hamline offers a number of merit scholarships for incoming students based on the quality of writing and overall promise shown in their application materials. These scholarships range from $500 to $1,000

MIRRORS, WINDOWS, & SLIDING GLASS DOORS - $5,000

• The Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors Annual Scholarship is dedicated to helping to increase diverse voices in creative writing for children and young adults. This scholarship is comprised of two awards totaling $5,000 each fiscal year. The award is to be given to an incoming student in the low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program who shows exceptional promise as a writer. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated experience in or commitment to promoting the needs of students of color, indigenous students, and other under-represented voices in literature for children and young adults.

T.A. Barron Fellowship for Excellence in Fantasy Writing - $5,000

• An annual scholarship given to a current MFAC student who shows outstanding promise in the writing of fantasy that explores moral questions and/or deep ideas about the human condition. Open to all students enrolled in the MFAC program.

T.A. BARRON FELLOWSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE IN FANTASY WRITING - $2,500

• A biannual scholarship given to an incoming MFAC student who showsoutstanding promise in the writing of fantasy that explores moral questions and/or deep ideas about the human condition.

Walden Pond Press Scholarship in Middle Grade Fiction and Nonfiction - $2,500

• Annual award given to current students in the program for the most promising manuscript in middle-grade fiction or nonfiction.

Herman W. Block Memorial Scholarship - $5,000

• Annual award offered to new students who exhibit significant promise in writing for children and young adults. The scholarship, given by author Kate DiCamillo, is announced each January. Only students accepted for that calendar year (January and the previous July residency) are considered.

VAUNDA MICHEAUX NELSON SCHOLARSHIP, PRESENTED BY LERNER PUBLISHING GROUP - $2,500

• Annual award given to a new or current student in the program who shows exceptional promise as a writer of color or indigenous writer. The Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Scholarship, presented by Lerner Publishing Group, was created to honor Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson for her many contributions to diversity in children’s books. Lerner Publishing Group celebrates diversity in children’s books and is dedicated to growing awareness about diversity in publishing. The winner will agree to submit the final manuscript to Lerner Publishing Group for publishing consideration.

Anne Tews Schwab scholarship in excellence in critical writing - $1,000

• This award is given biannually to a student in their third semester whose extended critical essay is judged by faculty to be of the highest quality.

FRANCES AND KERMIT RUDOLF NONFICTION SCHOLARSHIP - $1,000

• The Frances and Kermit Rudolf Nonfiction Scholarship is a $1,000 annual award to the most promising manuscript (not already accepted by a publisher) in the field of nonfiction—picture book, easy reader, or a longer nonfiction book. It will be judged by an editor or agent in the field on the quality of writing, original research, and innovative format.

Anne Stickney Schmidt Scholarship in Young People’s Literature presented by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company-$1,000

• Annual award given to a newly admitted or current student in the program who shows exceptional promise in the writing of picture books.

Ming and Li Go Annual Scholarship-$1,000

• Annual award given to a newly admitted or current student in the program with demonstrated financial aid and desire to pursue deferred aspirations, be it learning to write well for children and young adults as an avocation, re-entering the workforce after time out, or changing careers. The Director of MFAC, in consultation with the Office of Financial Aid, has sole latitude in awarding the scholarship based upon reading student statements of why they are applying for the award, the impact of the award on their ability to pursue an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults in any genre, and financial need.

Learning Partnership Discount

Employees of our Learning Partners receive a 10% discount on tuition and a waiver of application and processing fees when newly enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Apply for this discount when applying for admission. To learn if you qualify, see our list of learning partners and eligibility requirements.

Service Scholarships - 10% Tuition Discount

All Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing students, who demonstrate service to AmeriCorps (including Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps), the military, or the Peace Corps, are eligible to receive service scholarships. To apply, simply indicate your service as part of your admission application.

Alumni Discounts

Hamline alumni are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount when they enroll in any master’s program.

Financial Aid

Graduate students at Hamline are welcome to apply for financial aid through federal government and private bank loans. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
 

Resources for Outside Scholarships

Poets and Writers Grants and Awards
AWP 
FundsforWriters
SCBWI Grants
Loft Literary Center Grants and Awards
Grants.gov 
The Foundation Center 
Lee and Low Awards and Grants for Authors of Color and Indigenous Writers