Scholarships

Applications Currently Closed

Scholarships are on hiatus for the winter/spring term. We hope to offer them again starting with our summer classes in June. Until then, you can attend free classes in area libraries through the Bring the Loft to You program; these are 90 minute, single session classes brought to the public free of charge by the Loft, metro county libraries, and the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund. The Loft is currently in the process of scheduling winter/spring Bring the Loft to You session; check county library websites for a full schedule in the new year. The Loft also offers lower cost class options in the form of single session offerings; check our class schedule for details about classes that fit your budget.

Scholarship Info

The Loft has traditionally offered a 30 percent discount on tuition to low-income students via the honor system, plus scholarship discounts of 95 percent for select classes to households enrolled in a public assistance program. However, we have been listening to constituents and understand that the 30 percent discount was often insufficient to make our classes affordable to low-income families and that income thresholds for public assistance are so low, they often leave out low-income and historically marginalized people. Additionally, financial barriers are not the only barriers to participation, and the Loft seeks to support students experiencing various barriers to participation in our writing classes.

The Loft is transitioning to a new scholarship program that better reflects our goals to expand financial assistance for students! We welcome all who seek financial assistance to apply for this opportunity and encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply, including, but not limited to, Black and Indigenous people and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities. 

Scholarship Timeline:

Applications now open on a seasonal basis in alignment with the Loft’s class schedule. The Loft has winter/spring classes (January–April), summer classes (May–August) and fall classes (September–December). Scholarship applications will open about a month in advance of each season.  

Scholarship recipients will be able to register for one class of their choice during that specific class season with the 95 percent scholarship discount. Scholarship applications are reviewed holistically via the factors outlined below and awarded as funding allows. 

We anticipate far more applications from highly qualified candidates than we can possibly accept. Please know our scholarship committee reads every application we receive and evaluates them holistically based on three central factors: 

1. A demonstrated interest in the craft of writing and commitment to Loft class participation

Do you have specific genres or types of classes at the Loft you're passionate about? What skills do you seek to gain from a writing class? Are you excited about a specific project you're working on? What is your writing journey? What drives your commitment  to taking a class at the Loft? 

2. Expressed need for financial support

Are you enrolled in a public assistance program, such as TANF; MFIP; General Assistance; WIC; Medicaid, Medical Assistance, or Minnesota Care; SSI (disability, not retirement); food stamps; Section 8 Housing? If not, what factors impact your need for financial assistance to take a Loft class? 

3. Experienced barriers to participation in artistic career development 

The Loft understands that financial barriers are not the only barriers to participation in writing development opportunities. Have other factors impacted your ability to take a writing class? Do you identify as part of a historically marginalized community?  

If your application is approved, you will receive further communication detailing how to register for one scholarship class of your choice. Your scholarship class must be claimed by the end of class season. 

Previous recipients are welcome to reapply any season they wish to take a Loft class. Each application will be evaluated through the same process detailed above. However, please note reapproval is not guaranteed. The Loft aims to provide financial aid for as many students as possible, so previous recipients will be provided additional scholarships if/as funding allows. Thank you for your understanding as we seek to support as many applicants as possible.