Thanks to the generous support of two recent MFA alums -- J. Schuberth (Fiction -- '24) and Kumar Mann (Fiction -- '24) -- we are pleased to announce the launch of a scholarship for new and continuing students: The Out of the Woods Creative Writing Scholarship. The scholarship is intended to support the creative pursuits of writers, especially queer students and students that support LGBTQ+ rights and who may be from non-urban areas and/or cities that are not inclusive, and who have a demonstrated financial need. The annual award will be $5,000. Students will apply via a 1500 word essay discussing the importance of inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights.
Founded in 2008, the Low Residency MFA has made it a goal to fund as many many writers as possible through our scholarship and award programs. The Out of the Woods Scholarship is the third such scholarship to be founded by alumni of the MFA. "UCR’s Low Residency MFA program gave me the time and community I needed to become a better writer," J. Schuberth said. "I hope this scholarship will give its recipients a little more breathing room so they can make the most of their time at UCR."
Regularly ranked among the top Low Residency MFA programs in the nation, the UCR Low Residency MFA has long prided itself on being a soft landing spot for the writers who come looking to forge a life in the arts, while also providing a real-world immersion in the business of writing. "Every writer deserves the support, guidance, and community that I found in this program," Kumar Mann said. "I hope this scholarship eases the burden for writers who've been overlooked or ignored, so they can sharpen and share their unique and valuable voices."
"I am delighted that J. and Kumar have established this scholarship," said program founder and director Tod Goldberg. "Now, more than ever, LGBTQ+ writers and their allies must know that they are treasured, valued, and seen."
About the Low Residency MFA:
Founded in 2008, the Low Residency MFA @ UC Riverside is the premier Low Residency MFA program in the nation and the #1 ranked low residency screenwriting program (Movie Maker Magazine). Housed in the Palm Desert Center, the Low Residency MFA offers majors in fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting and minors in each, as well as poetry. Faculty include: Mickey Birnbaum, Elizabeth Crane, Alex Espinoza, Jill Alexander Essbaum, Tod Goldberg (Director), Gabino Iglesias, Joshua Malkin, Ivy Pochoda, Wlliam Rabkin, Rob Roberge, John Schimmel, Mark Haskell Smith, & David Ulin.