Funding Opportunities

On this page, you will find information about the funding opportunities available for Chatham's creative writing program.

The priority application deadline for creative writing Graduate Assistantship consideration is February 15. Review of assistantship applications will continue after this deadline on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Graduate Assistantship award recipients will be notified in the spring.

Margaret Lehr Whitford MFA’07 Fellowship in Writing

This fellowship covers full tuition for two years. The Whitford Fellow is responsible, with the Fellow from the previous year, for coordinating the Word Circus reading series—a monthly reading series which features four MFA students followed by an open mic. Additionally, this individual will serve as a liaison between the students and faculty. *Note: this is a full tuition award.

Graduate Teaching Fellowship – English Class Support (ENG 105)

The individuals awarded with these positions will assist professors in undergraduate Humanities classrooms (literature, creative writing or composition) during each semester of their first year and teach two sections of First Year Writing during each semester of their second year. TAs are required to participate in an orientation and mentoring group every semester and take a pedagogy course designed to prepare them for the ENG 105 classroom during the spring of their first year. All TAs must pass this course with a grade of "A," and be formally recommended by the professor, MFA program director and Humanities Chair before being assigned to a course. If a TA does not meet these requirements, or if they elect not to teach for any reason, they will forfeit their award for the second year. Competitive applicants for these positions will have experience providing instruction, particularly of composition or creative writing, in the classroom or workshop environment. *Note: this position is paid hourly at the rate of $15 per hour for up to 20 hours per week.

Fourth River Managing Editor

The Managing Editor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations for Chatham’s national literary journal, The Fourth River. Duties include but are not limited to corresponding with submitters and contributors to the journal; managing email and social media; overseeing the submission management system and website; creating reading schedules for staff; copyediting and creation of digital proofs; acquiring printer bids and arranging for layout and design. The Managing Editor is required to attend the weekly practicum course in the fall, as well as weekly meetings in the fall and spring with the Editor-in-Chief. This position requires someone with a high level of organization and the ability to be self-sufficient. The ideal candidate will have some previous experience working in an editorial capacity for a student-run or independent literary journal. Professionalism and timeliness are expected at all times. Consistently missing deadlines may result in the Managing Editor being asked to relinquish their position. Assuming satisfactory conduct and progress, this position is renewable for a second year. This position is open only to incoming MFA students. *Note: this position is paid hourly at the rate of $15 per hour for up to 20 hours per week.