Financing Your Education
The Writing for Young Readers, MFA offers students a number of unique opportunities to help finance their degree.
Estimated Tuition
The estimated cost of the MFA in Writing for Young Readers Program is $1735 per unit for the 2026-2027 academic year, with a minimum of 14 units required to be completed each academic year. Students typically take an average of 14 units in the first academic year and 14 units in the second academic year. A total of 28 units are required for the degree. The total estimated tuition cost of the program is $48,580 plus residency fees. Tuition costs and other fees are subject to adjustment annually.
See the full cost of attendance (used for U.S. federal student aid calculation).
The Dean's Scholarship
The Dean’s Scholarship grants recipients compensation for research and for conference travel. Additional benefits include the Dean's Scholar kickoff and reception, connection with other Dean's Scholars and with leaders across the college, and the chance to serve as program representatives to USF donors and Development initiatives.
To be considered for the $15,000 Dean's Scholarship towards their first year of tuition, students must apply by the 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.
Is a Writing MFA Worth the Cost?
An MFA is an investment of time, effort, and money. If your writing ambitions are important to you, then there is no better investment, and even writers who have already published choose MFAs to improve their skills. What you will get from this program is multifaceted: a way to transform how you see your work on the page so that you can make it better, not just now, but for the rest of your life. You will get a community that cares about this as much as you do, which is a deeply meaningful source of support and inspiration. You will also have a professional credential that qualifies you to teach at the college level and above. To do this on your own is difficult and would take you many more years of effort, putting your goals further down the road.
