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Funding & Opportunities 

Financial Aid 

Students in this program who are American citizens may qualify for financial aid. 

  • Apply to this MFA program. You must first be accepted before we can check on your financial aid. Be sure to include any information about transfer credits. 
  • Complete a FAFSA. Call our experts in the Financial Services Office at 610-606-4602 and we will walk you through the process. 

Scholarships 

Each year, two merit scholarships are awarded to students who begin the program during the summer residency. 

  • Up to $3,000 in tuition support ($1,500 annually for two years during the distance mentorships) 
  • Awarded based on the strength of each applicant’s writing portfolio and personal essay 
  • Submit a complete application by April 1 
  • Recipients must begin the program at the following summer residency and maintain continuous progress toward the degree to remain eligible 

Assistantships 

Remote Graduate Tutors. Gain valuable teaching and mentoring experience while supporting graduate writers across disciplines. Positions are open to students in good academic standing with strong communication skills and the ability to work independently.  

  • Previous tutoring experience is a plus but not required 
  • Five hours a week during fall and spring semesters 
  • Cap of $1,000 each semester  

Graduating Student Locale Coordinator. One graduating student is selected to support the program during their third and final residency while gaining valuable leadership experience. The selected student receives a waiver of their graduating residency fee.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Assisting with residency coordination and logistics 
  • Supporting student communication and safety 
  • Managing on-site printing 
  • Creating social media content 
  • Working with the host company as needed 

Candidates should be detail-oriented, dependable, and available for all residency activities. The Student Locale Coordinator receives a waived final residency fee as compensation. 

Teaching Assistantships. Opportunities are available to guest teach in our undergraduate creative writing and professional writing courses, both in-person and remotely. 

Teaching assistantships are not remunerated.  

For more information about any of the above, please contact MFA Program Director Alison Wellford at .  

Fellowship 

Teaching Fellowship. The Northampton Community College Teaching Fellowship prepares advanced graduate students for college-level teaching through hands-on experience, faculty mentorship, and professional development. 

  • Teach undergraduate courses 
  • Receive faculty mentorship and classroom observations 
  • Participate in professional development workshops 
  • Explore academic service or community humanities partnerships 
  • $5,000 stipend per semester (eligible students with 18+ graduate credits)