The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts (KGMCA) awards Graduate Tuition Fellowships (GTF) to encourage excellence and success in students in its terminal degree programs. The College awards GTFs to students identified by the various schools as eligible and approved for support under this program.

The GTF covers the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees1. Typically, this includes up to 9 credit hours per fall and spring semester for School of Art MFA students and up to 12 credit hours per fall and spring semester for School of Theatre MFA students and Moores School of Music DMA students. In some cases, additional or adjusted coverage amounts may be approved by the college or school.

General eligibility standards and additional details of the GTF are as follows:

1. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled full-time (9 credit hours per fall and spring semester) in a KGMCA MFA or DMA program.
2. Continuing students must demonstrate satisfactory progress in the degree program as defined by their department.
3. Continuing students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
4. Students must complete the GTF mandatory training course in Canvas annually (each academic year).
5. Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) annually, including the verification process if selected (must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen to qualify).
6. Each academic unit within KGMCA may establish additional criteria for eligibility for GTF eligibility and retention. GTF candidates and recipients should review their respective school’s scholarship and GTF policies.
7. MFA and DMA programs require a full-time commitment due to their rigorous academic and creative demands. Students should be prepared to prioritize their graduate studies accordingly.

Additional details regarding the GTF:

1. MFA and DMA students may receive GTF funding for up to 3 academic years (6 semesters).
2. The GTF covers up to 9 credit hours per semester, or the number of hours agreed upon, typically no more than 12 credit hours. Unused credit-hour coverage does not roll over to subsequent semesters.
3. Students are responsible for tuition costs associated with any credit hours exceeding their GTF-covered amount per semester.
4. Students must ensure timely payment of all tuition and fees as they become due, regardless of the expectation or disbursement of a GTF.
5. Graduate students receiving the GTF may not hold an on-campus assistantship exceeding 20 hours per week (50% of Full-Time Equivalent [FTE]). Any violation of this provision without prior approval by the Dean of the Graduate School will result in withdrawal of GTF funding for the semester in which the violation occurs. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis through an Overload Request Form. EXCEPTION: Approval is not required to work additional hours during term breaks, holidays, or when classes are not in session.
6. GTF recipients may accept other scholarships and grants in conjunction with the GTF.
7. If a GTF recipient is eligible and elects to use Hazelwood Act benefits, the GTF award will be adjusted to cover only the remaining tuition and mandatory fees not covered by Hazelwood.
8. Students who fail to meet all eligibility criteria for the entire semester may have their fellowship revoked retroactively and will be billed for full tuition and designated tuition charges.

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¹ All other costs and fees, such as university mandated course fees, departmental major fees within KGMCA, academic fees, designated tuition, housing, parking, and the international student health plan, are not included in the GTF funding and remain the responsibility of the student.