Fairfield University’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program understands the value of veterans’ experiences and the tremendous role their stories play in providing a more rich and diverse understanding of war in the 21st century. For more than a decade, the program has fostered a strong and passionate community of emerging writers with military backgrounds and has provided them with the necessary tools and insights to nurture their talent and share their stories with the world. 

As part of Fairfield’s commitment to helping members of the veterans community attain their educational goals, the College of Arts and Sciences is proud to offer veterans fellowships to former servicemen and servicewomen interested in pursuing an MFA and Master of Public Administration. The fellowships range from $3,000 to $10,000 and are available to veterans who have exhausted all or a portion of their GI Bill® educational benefits. 

This past year, the MFA program was delighted to welcome Marine Corps veteran and National Book Award-winning author Phil Klay as a full-time creative writing mentor and faculty member – an addition that has deeply resonated with the program’s veterans community and has inspired more military men and women to pursue the advanced degree.

In honor of Veteran’s Day 2019, we pay tribute to Fairfield’s growing MFA veterans community, the importance of their literary voices, and the emotional, cultural, and social impact of their stories. To learn more, visit fairfield.edu/mfa.