Graduate Assistantships and Other Aid

MFA applicants who want to be considered for an assistantship and fellowship must complete their application to the Graduate School by January 16, 2024. Exceptions are occasionally made for students applying for admission after that date or for currently enrolled students who may be awarded assistantships after the first-year review. Applications are accepted until the area quota is filled.

School of Art assistantships are ¼ time, normally requiring a 10-hour per week commitment. An assistantship is generally awarded for a full year (9 month academic year). Appointment to a second or third year assistantship is the norm, but not automatic, and is based upon success in academic and studio coursework.

Other graduate positions with tuition waivers are frequently available in the Office of Information Technology, Student Activities, Advising, Recreation, and other university services. Contact these services directly or ask the concentration area representative for more information.

GTA Benefits:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantship (year one) annual stipend – $8,450 (2023-24 rate)
• Graduate Teaching Associate (year two and three) annual stipend – $9,390 (2023-24 rate)
• $1000 fellowship for summer 2025 (Summer stipend is awarded the summer after the first year.)
• Full tuition waiver and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA), Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAssoc), with appointments on a one-fourth time basis or higher, are entitled to a waiver of maintenance, mandatory fees, and differential tuition for the period of appointment.
• These appointments also include a benefit of health insurance for the student.
• See Financial Aid for the latest graduate tuition and fee information.

Other Scholarships and Funding

1. The Buck Ewing and Terry Burnett, and Joseph Delaney Scholarships are awarded to currently enrolled graduate students in the School of Art every year. Applications are submitted to the Graduate Program Director during the spring semester. Evaluation is by the entire faculty.
2. The School of Art has residency/internship awards, materials awards, travel abroad award, summer research assistant and other funding resources for currently enrolled graduate students. See below.
3. The University of Tennesse Graduate School offers additional Graduate School Fellowships, Assistantships, and other Funding. Some of these awards are self-apply. Most need to be supported by the School of Art Graduate Committee and Graduate Program Director. Contact the concentration area representative for more information.
4. Visit the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for information on more scholarships, grants, and loans, and Center of International Education for travel abroad funding.

Graduate Scholarships + Awards

The School of Art annually presents a broad range of scholarships and awards to graduate students in addition to tuition waivers, GTA stipends, and fellowships.

School of Art Scholarships are awarded through a faculty jury of student applications and portfolios. Eligibility for the various awards is described in the application form links below. Awardees of 2024-25 scholarships will be notified via email in the spring.

Prospective graduate students are not eligible for the awards listed. Application materials for incoming fellowships and fellowship nominations are reviewed by the School of Art Graduate Committee during the admittance process.

Current first and second-year graduate students may apply for awards in the following categories.

NOTE: You must be logged into your UTK Google Account to access the application forms.

Graduate Scholarships + Awards

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.