Writers' Workshop Student Funding
Funding Overview
Every Writers’ Workshop MFA student receives full funding for the duration of the 2-year program; this funding is equal for everyone. At the end of the two years, all students have the option to apply for postgraduate funding.
Tuition and Stipend
With the help of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Writers’ Workshop donors, every Workshop student receives a full tuition scholarship as well as a stipend to cover living expenses while in the program; this includes funding for the summer between the first and second years. These stipends are composed of fellowships as well as research and teaching assistantships.
International students are eligible for all the funding and benefits offered to every student in the program, with certain fellowships only available to international students. There are some differences in the fee and taxation rates for international students (as a result of state, federal, and University policies over which we have no control), but we do our best to make sure everyone is able to attend. Every year we welcome many international students into our program.
Teaching
Many of our alumni make use of the teaching experience gained at the University of Iowa in their subsequent careers. While all students can expect to teach a light load in their second year, the Writers’ Workshop works to secure a certain number of teaching positions for first year students as well. If teaching is of particular interest to you, please be sure to indicate this on your application; you are not required to have teaching experience to be considered for a teaching position.
Health Insurance
The University of Iowa subsidizes health and dental insurance coverage to all students. This health insurance is comprehensive, with modest co-pays for services, including great coverage for mental health services. Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a large and robust medical system. Access to healthcare is a benefit of being in the program.
Postgraduate Year
All Writers’ Workshop students are eligible to apply for postgraduate aid. Postgraduate aid includes fellowships, adjunct teaching, and other opportunities. We do our best to match graduates with the type of funding they most desire. All graduating Writers’ Workshop students receive some level of support for their postgraduate year.
Our Donors Make All This Possible
Our donors make it possible for the Writers' Workshop to continue to thrive as a community of working writers. With donor support, we are able to bring exceptrional writers to Iowa City and offer them a rich, meaningful experience while they're here.