Registration

2026-2027 Atheneum: $5,095

The Atheneum is a program akin to a low-residency MFA program in many ways, except one: cost.

Low-residency MFA programs cost between $20,000-$30,000 year, while the tuition for the Atheneum is under $6,000 a year.

Our Atheneum faculty are highly accomplished, widely published writers, publishing in multiple genres, and have developed a method of working together as a team that is unique.

We want to support our dedicated faculty who work one-on-one with each student in each genre and, each year, design the program afresh for the students who are coming in.

Application Administration Fee: There is no fee to apply to the Atheneum.

Program Fee: The cost for the program paid in full is $5,095 including $400 deposit. We do offer admitted students three payment plans. Multi-payment plans include an administrative fee.

Payment Plans: The payment plans include a one-time $400 deposit ($250 of which is non-refundable).

Discount Full payment in advance: Following the deposit, the student pays $4,545 (or $4,725 by PayPal). This payment is due July 1. Full payment plans include a $150 full-payment discount.

Two-payment plan: Following the deposit, the student makes two payments of $2,420 each (or $2,515 by PayPal). The first payment is due July 1; the second payment is due October 1.

Three-payment plan: Following the deposit, the student makes three payments of $1,640 each (or $1,700 by PayPal). The first payment is due July 1; the second payment is due October 1; the third payment is due January 15.

Refund Policy: If the student drops out before July 1, when the first payment is due, $200 of the deposit is refundable. After July 1, the full deposit of $400 is non-refundable (dates adjusted to when a student is accepted). There are no refunds after September 1, and full payment is expected for the Atheneum year.

Updated August 1, 2026