Writing MFA

Columbia University School of the Arts awards over $13 million in student aid each year in the form of tuition scholarships, paid service positions, teaching appointments and institutional awards. The School of the Arts admissions process is need blind, which means that financial need is not factored into admissions decisions.

MFA Applicants who wish to have their financial need considered in potential offers of School of the Arts scholarship or fellowship aid (also referred to as “institutional aid”) must complete the following steps:

Choose the pull-down menu option in your School of the Arts MFA Application for Admission stating that you wish to be considered for institutional aid.
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only: Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form at www.studentaid.gov by February 1st. Columbia’s School Code is 002707.
All MFA applicants: Complete the online School of the Arts Financial Aid Application by February 1, 2024 for admission in the fall of 2024.

Learn more about Admissions and Financial Aid

First and Second-Year Students

Direct Costs: Tuition
Fall 2023: $35,959
Spring 2024: $35,959
Total: $71,918

Direct Costs: Career Services Fee
Fall 2023: $80
Spring 2024: $80
Total: $160

Direct Costs: Student Activity Fee
Fall 2023: $45
Spring 2024: $45
Total: $90

Direct Costs: Writing MFA Thesis Reading Fee
Fall 2023: $100
Spring 2024: $100
Total: $200

Direct Costs: University Services and Support Fee
Fall 2023: $572
Spring 2024: $572
Total: $1,144

Direct Costs: Health Service Fee
Fall 2023: $682
Spring 2024: $682
Total: $1,364

Direct Costs: Medical Insurance*
Fall 2023: $1,725
Spring 2024: $2,816
Total: $4,541

Direct Costs: Total Direct Costs
Fall 2023: $39,163
Spring 2024: $40,254
Total: $79,417

Third and Fourth-Year Students (Research Arts)

Direct Costs: Tuition
Fall 2023: $2,972
Spring 2024: $2,972
Total: $5,944

Direct Costs: Career Services Fee
Fall 2023: $80
Spring 2024: $80
Total: $160

Direct Costs: Student Activity Fee
Fall 2023: $45
Spring 2024: $45
Total: $90

Direct Costs: University Services and Support Fee
Fall 2023: $572
Spring 2024: $572
Total: $1,144

Direct Costs: Health Service Fee
Fall 2023: $682
Spring 2024: $682
Total: $1,364

Direct Costs: Medical Insurance*
Fall 2023: $1,725
Spring 2024: $2,816
Total: $4,541

Direct Costs: Total Direct Costs
Fall 2023: $6,076
Spring 2024: $7,167
Total: $13,243

Additional Fees During the Academic Year

Additional Fees: Writing MFA Thesis
Advisement Fee (Optional)
Total: $1,500; Per semester

Additional Fees: International Student Fee
Total: $150; Per semester for all international students

Additional Fees: Document Fee
Total: $105; Charged during your first semester of your first year

Additional Fees: Course or Lab Fees
Total: Varies; Typically between $30 to $125 per course

Additional Fees: Late Registration Fee
Total: $100; If after the late registration period

Additional Fees: Late Payment Fee
Total: $150; This fee is assessed if you make your payment after the due date of the first term bill.
An additional charge of 1.5% of the balance due will be assessed per month on any past due amount thereafter.

Additional Fees: Per-point tuition
Total: $2,398; Per point

Indirect Costs: Food & Housing
Fall 2023: $11,360
Spring 2024: $14,200
Total: $25,560

Indirect Costs: Transportation
Fall 2023: $508
Spring 2024: $635
Total: $1,143

Indirect Costs: Personal Expenses
Fall 2023: $2,772
Spring 2024: $3,465
Total: $6,237

Indirect Costs: Books & Supplies
Fall 2023: $1,437
Spring 2024: $1,437
Total: $2,874

Indirect Costs: Total Indirect Costs
Fall 2023: $16,077
Spring 2024: $19,737
Total: $35,814

* Domestic students may request a waiver from the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan by submitting a waiver application at the beginning of the academic year with proof of comparable coverage. The Health Services Fee cannot be waived. International students must be insured through Columbia's plan except in rare circumstances when they are covered by a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, group health plan (as a primary, spouse or dependent). Such requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Please click here for more information.

First and Second-Year Students

Third and Fourth-Year Students (Research Arts)

Additional Fees During the Academic Year

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