Funding Details
Most admitted students are offered Assistantship funding.
All MFA applicants are automatically considered for Assistantships and MFA scholarships; no additional application is required.
Current MFA students must submit a separate IA/TA application to be considered for an Assistantship. This application is only for students already enrolled in the MFA program. Assistantships are awarded once per year, in the Spring semester. The deadline for application is January 31.
Recipients gain teaching experience (as assistants in large lecture courses, and teachers of record in their own writing classes) while receiving a monthly stipend.
Scholarships
Incoming Students
A variety of scholarships are available to incoming and continuing MFA students. Incoming students are eligible for various MFA program scholarships to help offset tuition, as well as the Rose Scholarship, which provides nearly $70,000 in support throughout the three years of the program. All MFA scholarships confer a waiver for the out-of-state portion of ones tuition.
In addition, accepted incoming students may apply for a range of Graduate College scholarships during their first academic year.
Need-based grants and loans are available as well, and can be applied for through the FAFSA.
Continuing Students
Current students in the MFA program may apply for a range of English Department scholarships. The deadline for application is February 1.
Additionally, continuing students may apply for various Graduate College scholarships, including the Celebrity Classic and Graduate Merit Scholarships, which cover a substantial portion of tuition. The deadline for application is February 1.
The University also provides a variety of scholarships, including from the Student Government and University Bookstore. These are typically announced early in the Spring semester, via student email.
Need-based grants and loans are available as well, and can be applied for through the FAFSA.
Thesis and Research Support
Thesis
The Graduate College offers a scholarship of up to $2000 for student travel in support of Thesis work. The application deadlines are November 15 for Spring and June 30 for Fall.
Additionally, the MFA program affords each Thesis student an opportunity to receive feedback on their manuscript from a renowned writer, chosen by the student from our extensive Adjunct Thesis Faculty.
Conference Travel
The Department of English, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Graduate College offer support for Graduate student conference travel for up to two conferences per academic year.
MFA Fellowships for Graduating Students
The MFA program provides two Fellowships to graduating Texas State MFA students. The Katherine Anne Porter House residency in Kyle, Texas, provides housing and support for one year. The Clark House Fellowship provides housing and support in Smithville, Texas for one year. A call for applications is distributed via email in the Spring semester.