Funding Policies
All entering students are offered guaranteed support, which includes Teaching Assistantships and fellowships. All support is contingent on "timely and satisfactory progress" in the MFA degree program.
Tuition and Fees
Specific information concerning tuition and fees is available on the University of Minnesota One Stop website.
There is a two-part tuition scale for students:
- Resident Rates: for students who habitually reside in Minnesota
- Non-Resident Rates: for students from outside Minnesota.
TAs and Fellowship holders with at least 25%-time appointments qualify for resident rates. Additionally, appointments waive tuition at double the rate of the appointment. TAs receive an annual stipend and qualify for graduate assistant health insurance. Students must be registered each term of the appointment to maintain their graduate assistantship; this applies to appointments of any percentage and any number of hours. For more specific information, refer to the Graduate School Web.
All awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.
ALL STUDENTS HOPING TO RECEIVE FUNDING from the Department MUST FORMALLY APPLY, including those students who are still eligible for continued support promised to them at admission. APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED in full, and SUBMITTED BY THE DUE DATE for consideration for all types of funding in the subsequent academic year. The formal application keeps the Department up to date on students' intentions and projected needs, and helps with our planning.
Notification of an appointment to a TA position for the next academic year is usually made in March or April. Invariably, some who are appointed are unable to accept; therefore, the Department maintains a list of alternates from which later appointments are made as vacancies occur.
Fellowships
Graduate School Fellowship
Each year the Graduate School awards a limited number of fellowships to outstanding students who are entering the University of Minnesota Graduate School for the first time in the fall term. These one-year fellowships provide a stipend of approximately $21,000 plus tuition and health insurance for the academic year. Candidates are nominated by the Department of Art. Nominations are based on the strength of the applicant's undergraduate academic record, recommendations and portfolio.
Diversity Of Views And Experience Fellowship
Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowships provide a stipend of approximately $21,000 plus tuition and health insurance for the academic year to students entering the University of Minnesota Graduate School for the first time in the fall term. Candidates are nominated by the Department of Art.
Nominations are based on the strength of the applicant's undergraduate academic record, recommendations and portfolio.
To be considered for Graduate School and/or the DOVE fellowship, complete the Department of Art Supplementary Application Form and return it along three letters of recommendation, a set of official transcripts and a letter describing your professional goals and career objectives to the Department of Art. The letters of recommendation submitted in support of your application for admission may also be used in support of this application.
Teaching Assistantships
Preparator, Katherine E. Nash Gallery
The preparator is a 50%-time assistantship, which provides a nine-month salary and full reduction of tuition. The preparator is responsible for installation and de-installation of exhibitions in the gallery.
To be considered for this position, submit a letter of application that describes your management experience or background in exhibition preparation with your application to the Department of Art. One of your three letters of recommendation should address your gallery experience.
Teaching Assistantships in Technical Areas
Teaching Assistants in Ceramics, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Time and Interactivity help maintain the daily operation of facilities and equipment and assist with course instruction. These assistantships are normally 25% time and provide a salary and a 50% reduction of resident tuition each term of the appointment.
To be considered for a teaching assistantship in one of the technical areas, complete the Department of Art Supplementary Application. One of the letters of recommendation should address your technical and leadership skills.
Teaching Assistantships in Concepts in Visual Art
Teaching assistants in Concepts in Visual Art, a large, introductory lecture course, assist the instructor by presenting material and leading discussions at weekly undergraduate discussion groups. These assistantships are 25% time and provide a salary and 50% reduction of tuition each term of appointment.
To be considered for a teaching assistantships in Concepts in Visual Art include a letter of application indicating your teaching and/or leadership experience with the Department of Art Supplementary Application Form. The letter should also address your writing skills and knowledge of art history. Return these and three letters of recommendation to the Department of Art. At least one of the letters of recommendation should address your communication and teaching abilities. The letters of recommendation submitted in support of your application for admission may also be used in support of this application.
Other Sources of Funding
Since Departmental funds are limited, some students find additional support outside the Department. The Graduate School Fellowship Office (321 Johnston Hall) can provide information on a variety of fellowships and scholarships awarded by outside foundations and organizations, and on miscellaneous funds available within the University of Minnesota. The Office of Financial Aid (210 Fraser Hall) accepts applications for scholarships, loans, and work-study grants. Other University of Minnesota departments or offices employ Department of Art graduate students as part-time TAs or Administrative Assistants. Such positions are often listed with the Graduate Assistant Employment Office. The Student Employment Office (120 Fraser Hall and 100 Donhowe Building) maintains lists of on-and off-campus jobs. Consult the Graduate School catalog and the Graduate School’s booklet on fellowships for other possibilities for aid.
For a fully developed list of sources of funding for graduate students see the graduate student section of the Graduate School Office of Development website.
