Writing for Children and Young Adult Scholarships
Help finance your MFAC with scholarships
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.
Scholarships and tuition discounts for new and current students
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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
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Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors: $2,000-$3,000
The Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors Annual Scholarship is dedicated to helping increase diverse voices in creative writing for children and young adults. This scholarship is comprised of two awards totaling $2,000-$3,000 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 under-represented voices in literature for children and young adults.
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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.
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T.A. Barron Fellowship for excellence in fantasy writing: $2,500
A biannual scholarship given to an incoming MFAC student who shows outstanding promise in the writing of fantasy that explores moral questions and/or deep ideas about the human condition.
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Rising Star Scholarship from Stonefruit Studios (Sourcebooks): $2,500
Annual award given to a new or current student in the program who shows exceptional promise in writing fiction or nonfiction for young readers.
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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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Service discounts
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 a 10% tuition discount. To apply, simply indicate your service as part of your admission application.
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Alumni discounts
Hamline alumni are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount when they enroll in any master’s program.
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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.
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Resources for outside scholarships