MFA Tuition and Financial Aid

The 2025-2026 comprehensive tuition rates for the MFA program are $700 per credit hour or $8,400 per semester (includes full-time tuition), well below the national average for low-residency MFA programs.

Upon acceptance, a $400 deposit is required to hold the student’s place in the program. This deposit is non-refundable and is applied to tuition. There is also an access fee of $80 for Fall and Spring terms (each term) and $50 for Jan and Summer terms (each term).

Full payment of tuition and registration fees are due two weeks before the beginning of each residency (early May for the Summer Residency and Fall Mentoring Semester and early December for the January Residency and Winter/Spring Mentoring Semester) and may be paid online before arrival at the residency. The Graduating Residency fee of $725 is due one week before arrival for the residency. Tuition is nonrefundable after the tuition payment deadline.

See the MFA semester calendar here.

Housing Costs

All enrolled MFA students receive room and board during the summer and winter residency sessions at no additional cost. However, students are required to pay an additional amount if they request a single room for the winter residency.

The MFA program works with Residential Life to provide on-campus room & board during the summer residency session, and with local hotels to provide room and board during the winter residency session.

The Clemson-Converse Literature Series National Publishing Scholarship

The MFA Publishing Scholarship is an opportunity for graduate MFA students to work on a collaborative venture between Converse’s MFA program and Clemson University Press. The scholarship provides the opportunity for MFA students to participate in the marketing, management, and manuscript review of a national poetry prize conducted through the Clemson-Converse Literature series. Students receive a scholarship in the range of $250 to $500 for work conducted for the national contest. Second-year and graduating residency semester students in the Converse MFA program are eligible to participate.

Writing Center Assistantship

In addition, MFA students living in the Spartanburg/Greenville area may apply for an annual assistantship working in the Converse Writing Center. The Writing Center position is open to student applicants from all Converse graduate programs, and provides a tuition waiver for up to 4 credit hours.

Contact the Writing Center for information at writingcenter@converse.edu.

Loans

Many students choose student loan funds to assist with their educational costs in the MFA program. You do not have to demonstrate “financial need” to secure a Federal Stafford Loan, but you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information on how to apply for subsidized and non-subsidized student loans, contact the Student Financial Aid Office.