"I can't say enough good about the program. It's been a great light in my life."
At PLU our goal is to create a partnership that is financially feasible for you to pursue your studies. Financial assistance from PLU, federal and state financial aid programs, outside scholarships, payment options and careful planning help make PLU affordable. Below is a listing of financial aid resources available to you at PLU.
Each year Pacific Lutheran University awards scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to new applicants in the Rainier Writing Workshop. The number and amount of the scholarships vary depending on the qualifications of the candidates. The Linda Bierds scholarship is named for a distinguished poet residing in the Pacific Northwest who has taught for many years in the Rainier Writing Workshop. The Carol Houck Smith scholarship is established in memory of a longtime friend of literature and senior editor at W. W. Norton.
The scholarships are awarded for one year, and renewed for two consecutive years by A) maintaining consecutive enrollment for three years and B) successfully completing the requirements for each year.
All students applying to the MFA program may be considered for these scholarships. A scholarship application is required, and you may download the application by clicking here.
The Jack Cady Promise Scholarship is named in honor of the award-winning writer and emeritus PLU Professor, and offers assistance to one incoming student of working class background and demonstrated financial need. No separate application is necessary to be considered for this award. Program applications and materials will be used to determine the recipient.
The graduate fellowship program offers MFA students an opportunity to participate in academic and administrative activities that will enhance their graduate education experience, as well as provide financial assistance. A limited number of fellowships are available during the academic year. Full awards are very rare. In general, involve time commitments of five to fifteen hours per week. Admitted students will be sent a fellowship application in their acceptance packet.
The PLU Grant provides a 10% discount on tuition for PLU graduates who enroll in a PLU master’s level degree or approved master’s level certificate program. Restrictions apply to those students who are also PLU employees. The discount begins immediately upon admission.
Full-time international graduate students can be eligible for between $4,000.00 and $7,500.00 in scholarship, renewable for the duration of the graduate program.To find out more, click here.
Pacific Lutheran University is proud to partner with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to offer a total of 200 full-tuition, Yellow Ribbon Scholarships to qualified veterans or their dependents. PLU has rich history of working closely with the military community and is excited to provide greater access to private higher education through this important program.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program is component of the Post-9/11 Act of 2008. This partnership between the VA and PLU offers qualified veterans or their dependents full-tuition scholarships to enter either undergraduate or graduate programs at PLU. In the coming 2010-2011 academic year, PLU will offer 150 Yellow Ribbon Scholarships to undergraduate students and 50 scholarships for graduate students.
To find out more, click here.
Federal Financial Aid
With more than $60 billion earmarked for student loans, the federal government is committed to helping you attend graduate school. It all begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Why FAFSA?
To apply for federal and state financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An analysis of your FAFSA determines how much you and your family can afford to contribute to your education. A variety of factors are taken into account: family income, total savings, family size, parents' age (and their need to save for retirement) and the number of siblings in college at the same time.
How to submit a FAFSA
You may submit the FAFSA in one of two ways:
When completing the FAFSA, be sure to indicate that you want the results of your analysis sent to PLU (use code 003785). Keep copies of everything you submit.
Which application to use
To receive financial assistance for enrollment in the summer or fall of 2010 or spring semester 2011 the 2010-11 FAFSA must be completed. The 2011-12 FAFSA is required when applying for financial assistance for summer or fall of 2011 or spring semester 2012. The 2011-12 FAFSA will not be available until January 1, 2011
The information from your FAFSA application will be electronically sent to PLU's Office of Financial Aid. They will work with your Student Services Center Counselor to send you your Offer of Financial Aid
Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) at participating schools.
Direct Stafford Loans include the following types of loans:
To find out more, visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
Graduate and professional degree students can borrow a Direct PLUS Loan to help cover education expenses.
Unlike parent PLUS applicants, you (the student applicant) are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM). In addition, before you can receive a PLUS Loan, your school must have determined your maximum eligibility for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
Additional loan types provided under the Direct Loan Programsm, include Direct Stafford Loans (for undergraduate and graduate students), Direct PLUS Loans (for parents), and Direct Consolidation Loans (to combine federal education loan debts into a single loan).
To find out more, visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has an ongoing commitment to support graduate students making extraordinary contributions to their fields of study and recognizes the importance of providing assistance to those striving for excellence. We are proud to announce two new graduate funding opportunities: the Graduate Arts Award and the Jack Kent Cooke Dissertation Fellowship.
The Foundation's new Graduate Arts Award is for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years to college seniors and recent graduates with significant financial need who will pursue a graduate or professional degree in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing. To be eligible, candidates must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution.
To find out more, visit: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/
Rachel Christopherson
Director of Graduate Admission
Pacific Lutheran University
253-535-8570 or 800-274-6758
rchristo@plu.edu
or
Patty Sunderland
Student Services Coordinator
Pacific Lutheran University
253-535-8029 or 800-678-3243
sunderpa@plu.edu