Financial Aid is awarded to students in the MFA Program for Writers solely on the basis of need, with the single exception of the Holden Minority Scholarship. Unlike many larger writing programs, we do not give prizes or fellowships for writing, since we believe that such awards foster a damaging competition in the student community. It is difficult to predict from an application manuscript which students will make the greatest gains during the course of study; on the other hand, to give awards for previous achievement may set up false expectations and distinctions. Given the high standards set for admission into the MFA Program, we are equally eager for all admitted students to enter.

Since the graduate students are on campus only during two residency periods each year, it is impossible to offer the kind of teaching or research assistantships provided by some other schools. The low-residency format, however, allows students to attend a writing program without moving or changing jobs, and to work--full-time, in many cases--while doing their graduate studies. Thus, in comparing the costs of graduate writing programs, one should recognize the absence of hidden costs such as moving or being required to live in a more costly area, and the advantage of maintaining income during the period.