Holden Residency Scholarship

This single-residency scholarship covers tuition and residency fees for a writer of color in either genre. No graduate credit is issued, but the student is a full participant in our ten days together. The deadlines for this scholarship are the same as for program admission. Only one Holden Residency Scholarship may be awarded each residency, and the program reserves the right not to award the scholarship if candidates don’t meet the criteria. Writers who have previously earned an MFA in creative writing are ineligible.

  • Application fee: $75, or $110 if applying in both genres.  (Payable online via Submittable)

Please note that while you may apply in both genres, if you are accepted in both genres, you must choose only one course of study.

  • Application form
  • Application manuscript (in Word or PDF format)

Poetry: 10 pages maximum, no more than one poem per page

Fiction: 25 pages (double-spaced) maximum

Creative Nonfiction: 25 pages (double-spaced) maximum

  • Personal essay (3-4 pages, double-spaced, Word or PDF format)

The essay should address your preparation in the study of creative writing and literature, additional experiences that seem particularly relevant to this application, the strengths and weaknesses of your writing, and your goals for your two years of degree study.

  • Critical analysis (3-4 pages, double-spaced, Word or PDF format)

This brief essay should examine an aspect of craft in a poem, if applying in poetry, in a story or novel if applying in fiction, or in a memoir chapter or personal/lyrical essay if applying in creative nonfiction. If applying in more than one genre, please submit a craft essay for each.

  • 2 letters of recommendation

References will receive an email directly from Submittable with questions and instructions to submit their letters to the Program. A third letter is allowed but optional.

  • Transcripts from each college or university you have attended.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the application stage; upon acceptance, you will be required to submit official transcripts.

  • Financial Aid

Any student interested in receiving financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by August 10 for the Fall Admissions Cycle and February 10 for the Spring Admissions Cycle. All grants and scholarships in our program require that the FAFSA demonstrates financial need. Both American students and international students are eligible for need-based scholarships and grants if they file a FAFSA by August 10 or February 10 here and qualify for need-based support. Please note that in additionl to scholarships, federal loans, available to any student, also require submission of the FAFSA by the August 10 or February 10 filing date. If you are planning to file a FAFSA, please note the filing date on the application form.