We are fully committed to ensuring that a Mills education is within reach for those who have the desire and the qualifications to attend. Our costs are competitive with other colleges of our caliber, and we provide access to a range of financial aid, including need-based scholarships, partial-tuition graduate assistantships, and loans.

To learn more about applying for state and federal financial aid (including loans) at Mills and access downloadable forms and applications, visit the Mills graduate financial aid page. For tuition, fee, and payment information, visit graduate tuition and fees.

English Department Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships

Students in the two-year MA in Literature, MFA in Creative Writing Programs, and MFA in Book Art and Creative Writing Program can receive both need-based scholarships and a partial-tuition graduate assistantship each year.

Students in the three-year MA in Literature or MFA in Creative Writing Programs can receive either need-based scholarships or a partial-tuition graduate assistantship each year.

For more information on the two- and three-year program options, which are designed to provide financial and scheduling flexibility to our students, visit the FAQ page.

Need-Based Scholarships

To be considered for need-based scholarships, applicants must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by February 1 at www.fafsa.gov. Usually Mills need-based scholarships that are awarded to a student for their first year will be awarded again for the second year of study, if the information provided in the student's FAFSA generally remains the same.

If you are enrolled in the three-year program and receive a partial-tuition graduate assistantship award, that assistantship will replace your need-based scholarship for the academic year in which the assistantship is awarded.

Need-based scholarships for students in the two-year program currently carry an annual award between $7,000–$12,000.

Need-based scholarships for students in the three-year program currently carry an annual award between $3,000–$6,000.

Graduate Assistantships (Full- and Partial-Tuition)

Partial-Tuition Graduate Assistantships: All applicants to our graduate English programs and current students who are taking two or more courses per semester are invited to apply for partial-tuition graduate assistantships. Positions are available in the composition program, Book Art Program, undergraduate creative writing and literature classrooms, The Place for Writers, and 580 Split (our student-run literary journal). All partial-tuition assistantships carry an award of $6,500 for the year and require 12 hours/week of work during the semester.

Students are eligible for partial-tuition graduate assistantships during all years of study. Partial-tuition assistantships are awarded annually and are not guaranteed from year to year; students must re-apply each fall for the following academic year. If you are enrolled in the three-year program and receive a graduate assistantship, the assistantship award replaces your need-based scholarship for that academic year.

We encourage our students to submit applications for as many graduate assistantships as they are interested in and qualified for, although students can be awarded only one assistantship each academic year.

Full-Tuition Graduate Assistantships: In addition to applying for partial-tuition graduate assistantships, new applicants to the MFA in Creative Writing Program may also apply for the two full-tuition graduate assistantships in community poetics and narrative writing and community engagement. Both positions are awarded for two years (if the student enrolls in the two-year program) or three years (if the student enrolls in the three-year program). Visit the community poetics and narrative writing and community engagement assistantships pages for detailed information.

All graduate assistantship applications must be submitted by February 1. Applications are accepted online beginning October 15. Visit mills.slideroom.com for full application instructions (for Program, select English Department Graduate Assistantships).