Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $11,882.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $12,932.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $53,711.00.

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $12,238.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $13,288.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $55,135.00.

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $13,280.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $14,330.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $59,322.00.

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $14,242.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $15,292.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $63,170.00.

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $14,201.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $15,251.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $63,006.00.

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Semester tuition (6 months):  $13,937.00
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050.00
• Total (per 6-month semester):  $14,987.00

Estimated 2-year program cost is $61,931.00.

• Poetry Manuscript tuition:  $1,175.00
• Conference Tuition for all other workshops:  $995.00
• On-campus room (six nights):  $370.00 (single), $200.00 (shared)
• On-campus dining:  $240.00
• Non-refundable deposit due at time of registration:  $200.00

If the conference is held remotely, VCFA will reduce tuition as follows:

• Standard workshops: $845
• Poetry Manuscript workshops: $1,075

• Retreat tuition:  $975.00
• On-campus room & board (six nights):  $370.00 (single), $200.00 (shared)
• Meal plan (June 7 dinner through June 13 breakfast):  $240.00*
• Mentorship:  $925.00 (manuscripts under 250 pages), $1100.00 (manuscripts 250-350 pages)
• Non-refundable deposit due at time of registration:  $200.00

Balance of payment is due May 1.

Note: Retreat participants may extend their writing retreat by coming early (by as many as four days) or staying longer (one-day extension, check out by 10 am) for a nominal additional daily fee.

* Participants not on a full meal plan may purchase meals as they go.

The fee includes accommodations (double or single occupancy) in VCFA dorms for Friday and Saturday nights. Meals are included from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

• Writing Track room & board:  $500.00
• Critique Track room & board:  $550.00
• Workshop Track room & board:  $600.00
• Additional single room fee (optional):  $55.00
• Optional critique with an editor:  $100.00
• Extra fee for early arrival on Thursday:  $50.00
• Optional Thursday night group dinner:  $25.00
• Non-refundable deposit due at time of registration:  $200.00

Balance of payment is due by January 25.

• Basic Registration:  $350.00 (includes all lectures/panels, readings, professional practice workshops, and open pitch sessions)
• Room & board:  $215.00 (includes three nights on campus—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; meals are included from Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch)
• Additional single room fee (optional):  $55.00
• Workshop participation (optional):  $100.00
• Critique with an editor or agent (optional):  $85.00
• Thursday night group dinner (optional):  $25.00
• Non-refundable deposit due at time of registration:  $200.00

Balance of payment is due by September 15.

Summer  2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $8095
• Residency Fee: $952
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $7944
• Residency Fee: $933
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $8118
• Residency Fee: $952
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $7570
• Residency Fee: $952
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $7017
• Residency Fee: $933
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Summer 2023 – Winter 2024

• Tuition (6 months):  $12,238
• Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room):  $1,050

Total:  $13,288

To apply for financial aid, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the same time as you submit your VCFA application. The VCFA School Code for the FAFSA is 003697.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program offers low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. The lender is the US Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. Additional information on Federal Direct Loans is available from the Department of Education at studentaid.gov or 800-848-0979.

Students get Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans regardless of need, but will have to pay all interest charges. The total maximum Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan per year is $20,500.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program offers low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. The lender is the US Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. Additional information on Federal Direct Loans is available from the Department of Education at studentaid.gov or 800-848-0979.

Graduate and professional degree students may borrow under the PLUS Loan program up to their school’s cost of attendance minus other financial assistance.

VCFA is approved by the Vermont State Approving Agency to accept veterans’ benefits, including Chapter 31 (Voc Rehab) and Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) benefits. VCFA also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. VCFA’s registrar serves as the VA’s School Certified Official and certifies enrollment for veterans so that their educational benefits can be used at VCFA. For more information contact [email protected]. You can also learn more at vcfa.edu/admissions/veterans.

Federal financial aid is only available to US citizens and permanent residents. However, accepted international students will be asked to submit financial information (similar to what is requested in the FAFSA) to be considered for need-based scholarships from the college.

Prospective and incoming students are encouraged to attend a financial aid information session. Sessions will provide an overview of the financial aid process, from filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applying for VCFA scholarships to researching external funding opportunities and more. You can find the schedule and registration form at the button below.

For more information or to speak with a financial aid counselor, email [email protected] or call Daphne Parks at 877-612-2599. You may also contact Ryan Pontillas, Associate Director of Student Services, at [email protected].

• The Writing Life Scholarship Fund
• The Saddha Scholarship Fund
• Lynda Hull Minority Scholarship Fund
• The Upstreet Scholarship Fund
• Fowler-McCown Scholarship Fund
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant — The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant — The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.

• Angela Johnson Scholarship
• Award for Excellence in Writing MG
• Award for Excellence in Writing Picture Books
• Award for Excellence in Writing Short Stories
• Award for Excellence in Writing YA
• Award for Excellence in Writing Chapter Books/Early Readers
• Award for Excellence in Writing Non-fiction
• Critical Thesis Prize
• T.A. Barron Prize for Inspiring Nature Writing
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant — The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant — The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.

• Distinguished Designer Award: Supports half of a student’s entire tuition in the program and is awarded to two new students. Prospective students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should write a short essay as part of their admissions application. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the priority deadline, but all students who apply by the rolling deadline will be considered.
• Educator Awards ($8,000 each): Awarded to two incoming students already teaching in the design field (K-12 or college level) who seek to continue their education to deepen both their education and their design practice. Short essay required.
• Future of Design Award: Awarded to one incoming student whose application (including a short essay) shows promise regarding their development of design as a discipline in response to relevant economic, social, and cultural situations. We believe that design has the potential to influence the way we conduct business, use technologies, and frame communications, and we would like to support the exploration and development of constructive, transformative projects.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant: The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant: The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.

Scholarships for applicants

 Every application cycle: 

• Merit scholarship: awarded in the acceptance letter.
• Need-based scholarship: awarded during the enrollment process, post acceptance.

Every other application cycle:

• Dolan Award: a $10,000 scholarship established by the Dolan Foundation, specifically for students of ethnic and racial diversity. Prospective students who wish to be considered for this scholarship indicate so in their application, under the Dolan Award field.
• Distinguished Artist Award: This scholarship is awarded to two new students and supports half of a student’s entire tuition in the program. Prospective students who wish to be considered for this scholarship submit a short statement included in the admissions application, under the Distinguished Artist Award field.

Scholarships for students enrolled in the program 

• Levin Lutz: The G. Roy Levin/Jessica Lutz Merit Prize was established by the first graduates of the MFA in Visual Art program. It is a $500 award granted by program faculty and administration to a third-semester student whose progress in the program, both academic and studio, deserves special acknowledgment.
• Janet Kaplan Memoral Scholarship: This scholarship was established by alumnx and friends in memory of our founding faculty member, Janet Kaplan. It is a $500 award granted by program faculty and administration to a student entering their final semester, in recognition of their progress in the program and to support the costs associated with developing and implementing their final exhibition.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant: The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant: The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.

Applicants to the MFA in Film program are automatically considered for general merit- and need-based scholarships from the college. In addition, students who meet the eligibility criteria will also be considered for the scholarships listed below:

• LGBTQ+ and Genderqueer Filmmaker Scholarship
• Woman Filmmaker Scholarship
• BIPOC Filmmaker Scholarship
• Filmmakers with Disability Scholarship
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant — The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant — The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.

• Composers Fellowship Award: New students are eligible to receive scholarships ranging from $4,000-$14,000 over four semesters.
• Diversity in Composition Award: Based upon a combination of financial need and academic merit, this scholarship is awarded to composers of color and/or from the LGBTQ+ community in order to create opportunities for traditionally underrepresented composers. Award amounts range from $6,000-$16,000 over four semesters.
• Music Educator Award: This scholarship supports music educators pursuing their own artistic development. Private instructors, K-12 teachers, and college-level educators are all eligible to be considered for an award ranging from $4,000-$12,000 and spread out over four semesters.
• Regional Composers Scholarship: A Vermont-based donor has made it possible for more regional students to enroll in the MFA in Music Composition. If you are from the New England or New York area and are accepted into the program, you may be considered for this grant ranging from $4,000-$12,000 over four semesters.
• Women Composers Fellowship: In support of women in the field of music composition, VCFA has instituted grant of $6,000-$16,000 spread over four semesters. All women composers accepted into the program are eligible to be considered for this award.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant: The VCFA Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellowship Grant is a $2,000 one-time award, available annually to one student from each program to support work and/or practice at the juncture of arts and social justice. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September. The Fellowship Grant was created to celebrate and provide support to students whose work shows a commitment to social justice, and to create a networking opportunity for recipients. Recipients will share current work with other Center Fellows and community members at a brown bag lunch twice a year. Recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts + Social Justice webpage and join a network of Center Fellows.
• Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant: The Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellowship Grant is a $5,000 grant awarded to 2 students annually to support thesis work focused on a social justice issue. In recognition of the Center’s mission, priority will be given to projects that seek to create community-based change through the arts, and/or show the potential for future community impact. In addition to monetary support, recipients will be featured on the Center for Arts & Social Justice webpage and will join a network of Center for Arts + Social Justice Thesis Fellows who will present a talk about their work to a college-wide audience each year. Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Applicants must be in the 3rd or 4th semester of their program and able to clearly articulate the details of their thesis project. We understand that these details may change depending on the timing of application. Application is open annually in June, with awards announced in September.