MFA program funding

Graduate assistantship and scholarship support

All MFA students are offered a 20-hour Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) during their first two years, provided they remain in good academic standing. (While this support has historically been consistent, it is not guaranteed, as unforeseen circumstances may occasionally impact funding availability.)

This GTA position fully covers:

Registration fees for up to 9 credits per semester
Non-resident tuition, including international students (if applicable)
University health insurance fees

In addition, the GTA position provides a $17,000 annual stipend (based on 2025 figures), helping to offset living expenses.

In the fifth semester, students do not hold a GTA position so they can fully focus on their thesis work. Instead, the department provides a larger scholarship that covers tuition and fees during this final semester.

Students are not expected to pay tuition or fees out of pocket under this funding model. (Please note that scholarship amounts vary from year to year. While we have never encountered a situation where scholarships were not enough, funding levels are not guaranteed, as unforeseen circumstances may arise.)

Estimated costs and financial support (based on 2025 figures)

The total cost of tuition and fees for the entire two-and-a-half-year program with a 20-hour GTA position is approximately:

$15,866 for domestic students
$17,590 for international students

These costs are fully offset by:

$34,000 in total GTA stipends (across two years)
Additional scholarships, historically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per year

However, we encourage prospective students to carefully consider the cost of living in Reno when evaluating the financial aspects of this commitment.

Other financial support

Beyond the GTA and departmental scholarships, MFA students have access to a variety of supplemental funding resources:

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers a $500 annual travel grant to support participation in conferences, exhibitions, and professional events.
GSA awards are available each spring for students to apply.
The Department funds group trips, helping students engage with the broader art community.

While these opportunities are smaller in scale, they can significantly enhance students' academic and professional experiences throughout the program.