Cost, Scholarships and Financial Aid
MFA Program Tuition and Fees for 2013-2014
Tuition for the academic year: |
$15,678 |
Residency room fees and selected meals: |
$1,800 |
Books and supplies: |
$800 (estimate) |
Residency fees cover your room, lunches, and several dinners for the two 10-day residency periods, one in January and one in June. Students are responsible for transportation costs. A laptop computer is helpful during the residencies.
Residency Writers Conference Tuition and Fees for 2013-2014
Tuition, no academic credit: |
$1,200 |
Tuition, 4 academic credits: |
$1,872 |
Residency room fees and selected meals: |
$900 |
The Residency Writers Conference is for non-degree seeking students. For more information, see Residency Writers Conference.
Pacific offers two Pearl Scholarships per year in the amount of $7500 each to students entering the MFA program. In addition, a limited number of partial, merit-based scholarships are also available to students entering the program. Scholarships are based on the quality of the creative manuscript and supporting application materials and are awarded at the time of acceptance. No additional application is required.
A typical MFA financial aid package will be a combination of loans that should meet 100% of your cost of attendance. Cost of attendance includes tuition, residency room and board, room and board for home residence, books, laptop, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. MFA students can borrow up to $20,500 (estimate) per year in Stafford loans. If students have a need beyond the Stafford loans, the Direct Lending Program offers Graduate Plus loans or students can consider private loans from various lenders. Do not wait for your financial aid letter to enroll in the MFA program. These letters are sent a few weeks after you have submitted your Intent to Enroll form, paid your deposit, and have completed your FAFSA.
How to Apply for Loans
Students applying to the MFA program should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit this form to the federal government as soon as possible. Be sure to have a copy sent to Pacific University (Federal School Code: 003212). Do not wait to be accepted into the MFA program to apply for financial aid, and do not wait until you have filed your income tax return with the IRS. You should either estimate your income—you will have a chance to correct errors later—or complete your tax return early. If you wait, it will delay processing.
Types of Loans
- Federal Direct Lending Program
Pacific University participates in the Federal Direct Lending Program. This program offers incoming MFA students subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Students who demonstrate need are eligible to borrow subsidized Federal Stafford Loans; students who do not show need or who have remaining unmet need are eligible to borrow unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while students are enrolled and for a six-month grace period afterward. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest when they are disbursed. The interest rate is a fixed 6.8%.
- Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans
These loans are fixed at 7.9%, and applicants must meet credit approval.
- Private Loans
These variable interest rate loans are offered by lenders and institutions for educational expenses. These loans are not guaranteed student loans – lenders and institutions have varying credit approval criteria that must be met by loan applicants.
Additional Financial Resources
Questions?
- Email: financialaid@pacificu.edu
- Telephone (Portland metro-area): 503-352-2863
- Telephone (toll free): 877-72-8648 ext. 2863