Tuition and Student Aid

Tuition

Current tuition for students entering the Stonecoast MFA program is $5,988.00 per semester, plus USM's Unified Fee. Tuition is subject to change without notice; however we will post information about tuition changes as soon as it is available. If you have any questions about tuition, fees, and student billing, please contact USM Student Billing.

Financial Aid

To be considered for financial aid, the University of Southern Maine requires students to complete a FAFSA form. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA form is February 15. For financial aid information and applications, visit the Office of Financial Aid website at www.usm.maine.edu/fin.

Scholarships

A small number of partial scholarships are available each year. We encourage all qualifying applicants to apply.

Stonecoast MFA Scholarship Opportunities

Maine Resident (available to Maine residents only): In an essay of up to 500 words, explain how Maine has influenced your writing and/or how your writing might contribute to the culture of Maine. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of the writing, applicability to specific goals of the scholarship, and/or the student's financial need.

Cultural Diversity: In an essay of up to 500 words, explore how living in a culturally or ethnically diverse environment has affected your writing and/or how your writing might enhance awareness of cultural or ethnic diversity. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of the writing, applicability to specific goals of the scholarship, and/or the student's financial need.

Social Action: In an essay of up to 500 words, describe a specific writing project you plan to work on at Stonecoast and explain how your project will contribute creatively to positive social change. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of the writing, applicability to specific goals of the scholarship, and/or the student's financial need.

Academic Merit: In an essay of up to 500 words, discuss how your writing relates to the traditions and conventions of your genre and/or how your work might change or contribute to the genre. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of the writing, applicability to specific goals of the scholarship, and/or the student's financial need.

Deadlines:

Materials must be postmarked by April 1, 2013

We do not accept electronic materials. Please send your completed  Stonecoast MFA Scholarship Application to:

University of Southern Maine

Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing

Attention: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 9300

Portland, Me  04104

Guidelines and Information:

You must submit your completed Stonecoast MFA Scholarship Application and writing materials by April 1, 2013.

When you complete the application process, a committee will read and evaluate the quality of the writing, applicability to specific goals of the scholarships, and/or the student's financial need.

Students are selected for these scholarships solely upon the criteria developed by the committee in accordance to University of Southern Maine policies. However, if you receive financial aid, Federal regulations require the University to include any scholarships received into your financial aid package.

Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter.

The University of Southern Maine confirms its commitment to recognize and reward students' achievements both inside and outside the program.