New Scholarships, Flexible Program Options, and Interdepartmental Course Exchange at MFA Visual Narrative
During these challenging times, storytelling is more crucial than ever. MFA Visual Narrative is committed to supporting storytellers, artists, and art educators. We are proud to offer new program changes that feature flexible curriculum structures and increased financial support.
1. New Extended-Low Residency Schedule
Original Low-Residency Schedule
Our original low-residency schedule allows you to complete your degree over seven semesters. This includes three, full-time summer intensives (eight weeks each) on campus in NYC, with two academic years part-time, online.
This schedule allows our students to maintain a flexible schedule and work each fall and spring semester remotely, with the opportunity to travel, freelance, or attend residencies while they continue their studies online.
First Year
Summer 1 in NYC + Fall 1 & Spring 1 Online
Second Year
Summer 2 in NYC + Thesis Fall 2 & Thesis Spring 2 Online
Third Year
Summer 3 in NYC
New! Extended Low-Residency Schedule:
Complete your degree over time
Starting Summer 2026, we are introducing our new extended low-residency schedule. Take fewer classes per semester and complete your degree over time with customizable semesters.
*This track is only available to domestic students
**Semesters under 6 credits will not qualify for FAFSA
2. Course Exchange Between
SVA Graduate Departments
Want to take a specific technique or technology course that our department does not offer? Take for-credit courses or conduct 1-1 independent studies with faculty across Graduate Departments in SVA, including:
MFA Computer Arts
MFA Design for Social Innovation
MFA Fine Arts
MFA Interaction Design
And others…
Starting in Summer 2026, we will launch a new, more flexible curriculum structure that offers select course exchange (for credit) opportunities with other SVA Graduate Departments and opens up potential slots for independent study.
All available courses offered across departments are listed by academic year through the SVA Graduate Department Course Listings, available Spring 2026.
Enhance your story skills with technique-specific courses across disciplines. Draw on all SVA Graduate Studies have to offer, pun intended.
3. Scholarships
Starting Summer 2026, we’ve increased our scholarship offerings to provide annual, merit-based scholarships that will be guaranteed throughout each student’s enrollment at SVA.
What scholarships are offered at MFAVN?
Merit Scholarships
Receive a merit-based annual award throughout the duration of your studies. Awards are based on your portfolio and the evaluation from the Application Review Committee. Annual awards are dependent on maintaining good academic standing and professional advancement in your studies. No separate application is needed to apply for Merit Scholarships.
Housing Grants
A select number of merit-based housing grants are available each year to both incoming and returning students. These awards fully cover housing costs at the SVA Ludlow Residence, valued at $5,200, for your in-person summer semesters.
Educator’s Scholarships
Eligible candidates will be considered for scholarships providing up to 50% of tuition. The candidate must currently teach full-time with the equivalent of six credits or more per semester (online acceptable) in an accredited college or university with at least two years of teaching experience (international experience is acceptable). Candidates teaching at the K-12 level will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should contact the department outlining their relevant background. All Educator’s Scholarship Award recipients must maintain 6-credit hours of teaching (or equivalent) during their studies each fall and spring semester. Additional materials are required to apply for the educator’s scholarship. Learn more here.
One-Time Awards
We are also proud to offer several one-time awards that our students can apply for during their time at SVA.
SVA Alumni Scholarship Award
Final-year graduate students are eligible to apply for Alumni Scholarship Awards to aid the completion of final projects: thesis, portfolio, or components of final projects. SVA Alumni Scholarship Award Awards range from $500 to $2,000, not to exceed the total final project budget.
Sketchboard Pro Thesis Sponsorship Award
SVA and Braintreehouse, creators of Sketchboard Pro, offer a generous sponsorship award to two MFA Visual Narrative second-year thesis students. Each sponsorship consists of a $2000 thesis award. Applicants are evaluated by past awardees.
Film Festivals, Conferences, and Exhibitions Funding Stipend
Students will submit proposals and plans during their second-year spring class “Storyteller as Community” to enter festivals, conferences, and/or exhibitions. Students will have the opportunity to be considered for reimbursement of their entry fees for each event.
After two decades engineering & designing digital products for Fortune 500 companies, the SVA MFAVN program is teaching me to create like a storyteller, not just a product designer — through various mediums like photography, game design, podcasting, illustration, and narrative writing. This shift in perspective now shapes everything I do, and I’m still learning.
We are proud to introduce these updates and are excited to provide all students with greater flexibility, opportunities, and financial support. To learn more about these options, shoot us an email at mfavn@sva.edu.
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