10 Best Fully-Funded MFA Programs for 2025

Interested in obtaining a master of fine arts degree for free? Consider enrolling in a fully-funded MFA program.

There are hundreds of fully-funded Master of Fine Arts degrees available at universities across the country. In this article, we'll explore some of the top schools offering these types of degree programs.

Fully-Funded Master in Fine Arts Programs

The following 10 schools offer full funding for MFA programs in the form of full tuition waivers, graduate teaching apprenticeships, and other types of financial assistance.

1. Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private school in Evanston, IL. This school offers several MFA programs for free. For example, a three-year double degree in creative writing (MFA) and English (MA) is available, as well as a two-year program in art, theory, and practice.

Depending on the program, students may also receive yearly stipends and healthcare coverage in addition to tuition waivers.

2. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a large public school headquartered in Columbus, OH. The school offers a three-year MFA in art at not charge to the students.

This interdisciplinary program allows students to explore various facets of art while receiving full financial support. Funding may be received in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and associateships.

3. University of California

The University of California is a large public school system composed of 10 main campuses and various learning centers. Several of its schools offer free MFA programs, including the following:

• University of California at Irvine
• University of California at San Diego
• University of California at Davis

Majors include creative writing and visual arts. Funding is provided in the form of graduate teaching assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and other on-campus employment opportunities.

4. University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is located in Tampa. This public school has nearly 50,000 students and is known for its nationally ranked MFA programs in studio art and art history.

Various concentrations are available with the studio art degree, including ceramics, drawing, photography, and video. Full tuition waivers are provided for each student, along with scholarships or teaching assistant positions.

5. Rutgers University

Rutgers University is a multicampus school in New Jersey enrolling more than 68,000 students. The school offers a fully-funded MFA program in visual arts.

Students in this program receive fellowships equivalent to their tuition costs for two years. That said, they are responsible for covering other college costs such as housing, materials, and fees.

6. University of Texas, Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship school of the University of Texas System. This large public school offers a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

This three-year master's degree allows students to focus full-time on their writing since there are no teaching assignments. All students receive equal funding for the duration of the program.

7. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, MI. A two-year MFA in creative writing is available, providing full funding for all students.

MFA students are provided tuition waivers, stipends, healthcare benefits, and student instructorship opportunities. Additional funds are awarded in the form of various contest prizes.

8. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA. The school offers full funding for all full-time students in the school's MFA and PhD programs.

Funding is provided in the form of graduate teaching assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and grants.

9. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, within the Phoenix metro area. A fully-funded MFA in art is available at this school.

The program lasts for three years. Students participate in teaching assistantships, receiving scholarships and other financial awards to help cover the cost of the program.

10. Kent State University

Kent State University is a public school located in Kent, OH. Graduate students at this school can pursue an MFA in studio art. Various program concentrations are available.

Students receive stipends and tuition waivers by participating in teaching assistantships. Healthcare costs are also partially covered for all students in the program.

Understanding Fully-Funded MFA Programs

Still wondering what, exactly, a fully-funded MFA program is? Keep reading as we take a closer look.

What Is a Fully-Funded MFA Program?

Fully-funded MFA programs are special types of degrees offered by many colleges and universities. These programs allow students to attend graduate school at little or no cost to them.

Fully-funded MFA programs commonly provide:

• stipends
• tuition waivers
• scholarships
• fellowships
• other forms of financial aid

Students may also have opportunities to work as teaching assistants at the school.

These programs not only allow students to save a lot of money but offer a variety of opportunities for immersive learning experiences through:

• travel
• studio access
• mentorship programs

Benefits of Fully-Funded Programs

Fully-funded MFA programs offer many benefits to those enrolled in them.

Students receive complete or near-complete financial support through stipends, tuition remission, and other rewards. In many cases, the school also pays for each student's health insurance.

Fully-funded MFA graduate programs are offered through each university's school of arts and focus on various fine arts such as:

• creative writing
• studio art
• contemporary art
• graphic design

Since students don't have to worry about how they're going to pay for their degree, they can focus more fully on their creative endeavors.

Fully-Funded Vs. Traditional MFA Programs

If you have to pay for your MFA, it's going to cost you a lot of money. Traditional MFAs typically cost around $37,000 per year.

Fully-funded MFA programs eliminate tuition costs and typically provide other financial support as well, in some cases covering all costs of the program.

Graduate students who pursue a fine arts degree without full funding often find themselves deep in debt upon graduation, and they aren't always able to pay it off promptly due to the unpredictable and generally low-paying nature of creative careers.

Therefore, being accepted into a free-of-charge MFA program allows students to explore their artistic interests and potentially improve their career prospects without accruing large amounts of debt.

Fully-Funded MFA Degree Program FAQs

Still have questions about these MFA programs? Keep reading.

How Competitive are Fully-Funded MFA programs?

Most fully-funded MFA programs are highly competitive, with many of them receiving hundreds of applications and accepting only five to 10 applicants per year.

Is UC Berkeley MFA Fully Funded?

The University of California at Berkeley offers an MFA program that is fully funded for in-state students. Various forms of financial support cover the equivalent of two years of in-state tuition and costs.

Is NYU MFA Fully Funded?

New York University offers various MFA programs, but these programs do not provide full funding for all students. Financial assistance is available based on need and academic merit, but these funds are not guaranteed based on acceptance into the program.

Are There Any Fully-Funded MFA Programs in Creative Writing Available for International Students?

Fully-funded programs are available to international students as well as in-state and out-of-state students. In some cases, international students receive significant discounts but may not have their program entirely funded. At other schools, such as Northwestern University, all students accepted into the program, including international students, receive full funding.

Find A Fully-Funded MFA Program Today

If you're interested in applying to a fully-funded MFA program, check out the schools listed above to find a program that will best fit your needs and interests.