Financing Your Education
We understand that funding the MFA degree is a top priority for many applicants. To help manage costs, we offer a number of fellowships, scholarships, and teaching assistantships open only to MFA students.
Estimated Tuition
The estimated cost of the MFA in Writing Program is $1735 per unit for the 2026-2027 academic year, with a minimum of 16 units required to be completed each academic year. Students typically take an average of 16 units in the first academic year and 16 units in the second academic year. A total of 32 units are required for the degree. The total estimated tuition cost of the program without optional summer thesis is $55,520. With thesis one it is $62,460. Tuition costs and other fees are subject to adjustment annually.
See the full cost of attendance (used for U.S. federal student aid calculation). Please contact the program (mfa@usfca.edu) for more information.
Graduate Fellowships
Each year, we provide a small number of fellowships on a competitive basis. They are awarded to outstanding applicants in each genre. All applicants are automatically considered for a graduate fellowship; no separate application is needed. You will learn of any fellowship award at the time we notify you of your acceptance to the program.
Teaching Assistantships
The MFA Program, in conjunction with the English department, offers around 8 to 12 teaching assistantships each semester. Open to currently enrolled MFA students, TAships provide students a part-time position with hands-on classroom experience assisting an English professor in the teaching of their undergraduate creative writing or literature course.
The Dean's Scholarship
The Dean’s Scholarship grants recipients $15,000 toward their first year of tuition, as well as compensation for research and conference travel. Additional benefits include the Dean's Scholar kickoff and reception, networking opportunities with leaders and scholars across the college, and the chance to serve as an MFA Program representative at USF fundraising initiatives. To be considered for the Dean's Scholarship, applicants must apply by the MFA program’s priority deadline.
Learn about the Dean's Scholarship
Double Dons Scholarship
USF Alumni and current students can be awarded the USF Double Dons Scholarship upon admission. The scholarship covers 20% of the program tuition, and may not be stacked with other USF scholarship awards. Exceptions may apply.
Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship
Each spring, graduating MFA students can apply for a part-time faculty job teaching a section of Introduction to Creative Writing, an undergraduate course offered by the English department. With faculty support and guidance, fellows individually design, plan, and teach their own courses, providing beginner-level students with literary models, craft instruction, and creative prompts in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The number and amount of scholarships we can offer differs every year. We do our best to help scholarship recipients more comfortably fund their education. At this time we don’t offer full tuition remission.
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Though students can apply for multiple teaching assistantships each semester, they can only accept one of the TAships offered them. Students can be a TA for multiple semesters.
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Many of our students work full-time, and some lighten their professional workload in anticipation of school/writing.
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For detailed information on loans, scholarships, and other aid opportunities for both U.S. and international students, please visit the College’s Graduate Financial Aid page.