We know that continuing your education is a financial commitment, and a creative writing degree is often one that is pursued for your own advancement.
Many of our students are writers who want to learn all they can about the craft, art, business and life of a writer. That means you may be paying for a degree from your own savings and loans.
Tuition
- Tuition for the MA degree is $750 per credit plus fees (below).
- Tuition for the MFA degree is $675 per credit plus fees (below).
Fees
Semester Fees
- University Fee: $84 per credit hour
- Housing & Meal Costs: approx. $400 for dorm room, $900 for hotel room per residency week (8 nights) and $100 meal fee
- Residency Fee: $250 per residency
One-Time Fees
- $35 non-refundable application fee
- Graduation Fee: $170 (Charged to graduating students in their last semester)
Upon acceptance, each student must pay a $300 non-refundable deposit to hold their seat in their selected residency.
Financial Aid
In addition to guidance on applying for and receiving FAFSA loans, the Creative Writing Program at Wikes helps students to finance their education via scholarships and graduate assistantships.
Scholarships
Wilkes offers a variety of scholarships to Creative Writing students. The following scholarships are gifts to the program from generous, supportive donors. The scholarship awardees will receive between $1000 and $5000 off their tuition.
- The Beverly Hiscox Scholarship is awarded annually to a non-traditional student who is returning to school while supporting a family. The award is based upon need and demonstrated writing talent. It is given in honor of Beverly Hiscox, a Wilkes University Board of Trustees member and long-time supporter of our program. Awarded annually, faculty members nominate students who are already in the Creative Writing program.
- The Norris Church Mailer Scholarship is awarded annually to a student with demonstrated talent, need and a commitment to serving the writing community. Created by Norman Mailer, it is given in honor of Norris Church Mailer, a writer and board member in her own right. Awarded annually, faculty members nominate students who are already in the program.
- The Jennifer Diskin Scholarship is awarded annually to a student with demonstrated talent and a commitment to studying poetry. Funded by her family, it is given in honor of alumna Jennifer Diskin, who passed away after a brave struggle with cancer. Faculty members nominate deserving students who are already in the program.
- The Bergman Family Foundation Award is awarded annually to students who demonstrate great need and ability. Students may nominate themselves for this award.
- The Faculty and Alumni Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more new students at the M.A. level of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing. The scholarship recipient(s) will be determined by a three-member faculty committee who will recommend the student(s) to the program director. This scholarship was funded through tax-deductible gifts from faculty and alumni.
Graduate Assistantships
GRADUATE ASSISTANT APPLICATION (.pdf)
Wilkes is one of the few low-residency programs to offer graduate assistantships. Entering and continuing students can apply each term for a partial or full assistantship. There are six to ten assistantships available each semester, with publishers, various university departments (such as Marketing and Communication Studies), and the Creative Writing Office. Assistantships include tuition remission for three to nine credits per term and are potentially renewable at the end of each term.
Interested students should see the University-wide list of available assistantships. keeping in mind that the full listing doesn't appear until the period between semesters.
In addition, small ($500-$1000) stipends are also available to our students, but not guaranteed annually.
The deadline for applying for GA positions is:
- Dec. 1 for January entry
- May 1 for June entry
For more information, visit our Graduate Financial Aid page to learn about assistance programs available at Wilkes.