Below is a list of all the scholarships offered internally to graduate applicants of our Master of Fine Arts program. Scholarships are generally determined and awarded with (or shortly after) an offer of admission.
All scholarships listed are applicable to both domestic and international applicants.
For additional internal and external funding opportunities, please reach out to the Financial Aid office at finaid@meca.edu, or Graduate Admissions Coordinator Joel Tsui at joel.tsui-staff@meca.edu.
Other than the applicants’ own scholarship or fellowship award, Maine College of Art & Design does not disclose funding metrics or other individuals’ scholarship amounts.
Merit Scholarship
Purpose
All admitted Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students will receive this merit-based scholarship to encourage pursuing their graduate studies at MECA&D.
Amount
The scholarship amount ranges between 10–50% of annual tuition and is determined by the MFA Admissions Review Committee upon an offer of admission. The amount is renewable and applicable for both years, and requires no further action to receive or extend.
Since low residency and full residency students are considered under the same program, there are no differences in the award amount offered to admitted students expressing interest in either residency status.
Eligibility
MFA merit scholarships are awarded to all admitted MFA students, and no additional materials are required to be considered. Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of decision.
Criteria
While each applicant is different, MECA&D strives to engage in an equitable admissions process that evaluates applicants using three main criteria:
- Strength of Portfolio
- Breadth and Depth of Personal Essay
- Academic Achievement
Candidates with strong merit scholarship offers demonstrate preparedness for the rigors of MECA&D’S two-year graduate program, specifically in studio production, writing, and research. They are also able to showcase a clear understanding of how MECA&D’s graduate program aligns with their professional and developmental goals.
Notes
Deferring students may retain this scholarship for up to one year.
Full Tuition Scholarship
Purpose
The merit-based scholarship is awarded to encourage exemplary applicants whose applications stand out among the applicant pool to pursue their graduate studies at MECA&D. The Full Tuition Scholarship recipient is believed to be of importance to our MECA&D community, and their application demonstrates dedication and focus, both in their studio practice and also to the College.
Amount
The scholarship covers 100% of annual tuition, and a recipient is determined by the MFA Admissions Review Committee shortly after an admissions decision is made. The amount is renewable and applicable for both years and requires no further action to extend.
Since low residency and full residency students are considered under the same program, eligible applicants expressing interest in either residency status are considered for the scholarship.
Eligibility
The scholarship is awarded to no more than one admitted MFA student whose application is completed on or before the Full Tuition Scholarship Deadline (see “How to Apply” for deadlines).
Although no additional materials are required to be considered, students being considered for the Scholarship may be invited to have an individualized conversation with the Committee shortly after an admissions decision is made.
To receive this scholarship, the recipient must agree to enroll within 15 days of notice.
Criteria
In addition to the evaluation criteria listed in the Merit Scholarship, Full Tuition Scholarship recipients demonstrate potential to be well-rounded students and good stewards of the cohort. As a result, admitted MFA students with strong merit scholarship offers should anticipate being in consideration to be a Full Tuition Scholarship recipient.
Full Tuition Scholarship recipients show not only dedication and focus in their studio practice, but also evidence that they are keenly aware of how they can benefit from what our MFA program offers. This is generally elucidated through the Personal Essay and well-directed Letters of Recommendation.
Notes
The scholarship offer is also independent from the Merit Scholarship, meaning an admitted student can receive the Full Tuition Scholarship after the initial offer of admission, and if a student cannot make a decision by their decision due date, they will still have a Merit Scholarship if they choose to enroll at a later date.
Due to the competitive nature of the scholarship, students accepting this scholarship cannot defer their enrollment.