Writers' Workshop Student Funding

Funding Overview

All Writers’ Workshop MFA students receive equal funding for the duration of the 2-year program. At the end of the two years, every student has the option to apply for postgraduate funding.

In an office setting, three people are having a conversation. A woman in a black and white patterned dress and red shoes stands in the middle, holding papers and appearing to be speaking. To her left is a woman in a black outfit, and partially visible on the right is someone in a white shirt. The office has file cabinets along one wall, a desk with a "COPY BOX" visible, and various papers and decorations posted on the walls. The space is lit by overhead dome lighting.

Tuition and Stipend

With the help of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Writers’ Workshop donors, every Workshop student typically receives a full tuition scholarship as well as a stipend to cover living expenses while in the program; this often 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.

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 exceptional writers to Iowa City and offer them a rich, meaningful experience while they're here.

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Donor Updates
Legendary Author Truman Capote’s Vision Benefits Iowa Writers
As the book world remembers Truman Capote on what would have been his 100th birthday Sept. 30, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop remains an important steward of his legacy through a partnership with the Truman Capote Literary Trust.
Celebrating 15 Years of The Rona Jaffe Foundation Graduate Fellowship at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop
The Rona Jaffe Foundation Graduate Fellowship at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop celebrates 15 years.
Iowa Writers' Workshop announces Sonny Mehta Fellowships in Creative Writing
Iowa Writers' Workshop establishes the Sonny Mehta Fellowships in Creative Writing.
Famed Novelist's Donation Benefits Writers' Workshop Students
James Patterson makes a generous gift of scholarships for Writers' Workshop writers.
All Program News