Children's Literature
Scholarships, Funding Options, and Additional Benefits
The Admission Committee considers all degree-seeking applicants for a range of university scholarships after a holistic review of their application for admission. No additional application is required to be considered for these merit, endowed, and departmental scholarships. In addition to University scholarships, the Department of Children's Literature provides fellowship and teaching assistantship opportunities for which students must apply separately.
Information about tuition discounts for librarians and teachers, as well as unique benefits and savings available to affiliates of partner organizations and Simmons alumnae/i are also described below. Additionally, a list of external sources of funding for consideration, including scholarships and grants, are detailed on this page.
Please note: international students are eligible for university scholarships, tuition discounts, fellowships and teaching assistantships.
University Scholarships for Children's Literature Students
Children's Literature Scholarships
Annually, Simmons awards a variety of merit-based scholarships including three Director's Scholarships to Children's Literature students. All degree applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Awards are based on a holistic review by the Admission Committee of the "merit" or strength of an application in comparison to all other completed and eligible applications for that same semester. Recipients may be required to take a certain number of credits and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 during the semester(s) for which they are awarded.
The Virginia Haviland Scholarship
The Virginia Haviland Scholarship covers one half of total tuition for all graduate courses in Children's Literature. Virginia Haviland devoted her life to promoting excellence in literature for children and young adults. As the "librarian of Congress for children," Ms. Haviland was extensively involved in the Library's Center for the Book. Recognized by the Regina Medal and the Grolier Award, Haviland lectured widely on children's literature. She served on many children's book award committees, was a Horn Book reviewer, and remains one of the most influential figures in children's literature. Her retelling of folk and fairy tales testified to her belief in the power of story and her foundational work Children's Literature: Views and Reviews brought critical demanding standards to the field.
The Lee & Low...and Friends Scholarship
The Lee & Low...and Friends Scholarship enacts a shared organizational commitment to increasing diversity in children's book publishing. The largest multicultural children's book publisher in the U.S., Lee & Low Books leads the movement for diversity in publishing. With them, Simmons is committed to expanding venues of access and increased equity in the industry by expanding the opportunities for graduate study in the field. One $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually; no additional application required.
Fellowship and Teaching Assistantships in Children's Literature
Dean's Fellowship in Children's Literature
The Dean's Fellow in Children's Literature participates in the day-to-day operations of the Children's Literature (ChL) department and the Center for the Study of Children's Literature. The Fellow develops and supports opportunities for graduate student engagement in the department, Ifill, and the University. The Dean's Fellow chairs the Children's Literature Advisory Council. They participate in the advocacy and partnership work of the Center for the Study of Children's Literature throughout the year and in a variety of venues, such as book festivals, summer institutes, and the Center's Book Nook. The fellowship is a one-year paid position that runs the academic year. Applications for the fellowship are solicited each August, and both incoming and current students are invited to apply.
Teaching Assistantships in Children's Literature
Every semester, the Children's LIterature programs offer one paid teaching assistantship. Applicants must have completed at least 8 credits in their program. Teaching Assistants work closely with individual instructors to develop curriculum, provide student support, and assume seminar leadership. The program director sends teaching assistantship applications to students in August for the fall semester position and in November for the spring semester position.
Professional Discounts
Teachers and librarians may be eligible to benefit from reduced tuition. Please note professional discounts may not be combined with partnership, alumnae/i scholarships or other discounts and scholarships, and cannot be retroactively applied after the time of admission.
Professional Discounts
Teachers and Librarians: Up to 20% Total Tuition Discount
Simmons is proud to support the investment teachers and librarians make in themselves, their communities and their fields through the advanced study of children's literature. All teachers and librarians who enroll in a Children's Literature degree program (MA, MFA, MA/MFA and dual MA/ MS Library Info Science) benefit from a discount of up to 20% total tuition, effective Fall 2023. The overall discount is based upon the tuition rate at time of admission, and the total scholarship amount and terms of the award will be shared following admission. Teachers and librarians also benefit from an application fee waiver and the opportunity to be considered for merit-based scholarships. For additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Partner Organization and Alumnae Awards
Simmons University is proud to provide awards to Simmons alumnae/i and to affiliates of partner organizations. Please note the awards listed below may not be combined or be retroactively applied. Additionally, they cannot be combined with the teacher or librarian discount. For additional questions related to the benefits listed below, please contact [email protected].
Academic Partners
Colleges of the Fenway Institutions
Simmons values its membership within the Colleges of the Fenway collaboration and its four neighboring institutions: Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. As such, Simmons has designated up to five Colleges of the Fenway Scholarships to students and alumni of COF institutions who enroll in a Children's Literature degree program. COF students/alumni are invited to reach out to [email protected] to receive an application fee waiver and to learn more about the COF scholarship and other benefits.
Framingham State University (FSU) Students and Alumni Benefits
To honor Framingham State University's commitment to the study of Children's and Young Adult Literature, Simmons University offers FSU students and alumni from the last 5 years a range of benefits that amount to savings of up to 1 /3 of the total tuition in any of the graduate programs in Children's Literature. FSU students/alumni are invited to reach out to [email protected] to receive an application fee waiver and to learn more about other benefits, including a designated scholarship and the potential to waive four elective credits in the MA, MFA, MA/MFA, or MA/MS programs in literature for young people.
Wheaton College Students and Alumni Benefits
To honor Wheaton College's dedication to scholarship in the field of Children's and Young Adult Literature, Simmons University offers Wheaton students and alumni from the last 5 years a range of benefits that can amount to a savings of up to 1 /3 of the total tuition in any of the Children's Literature programs. Wheaton students/alumni are invited to reach out to [email protected] to receive an application fee waiver and learn more about other benefits, including a designated scholarship and the potential to waive four elective credits in any of the Simmons Children's Literature degree programs.
Organizational Partners
City Year Partnership Discount
Simmons University values City Year for its impact on communities and its commitment to. diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. City Year members, alumnae/i and staff benefit from at least 25% total tuition savings on the graduate degrees in Children's Literature (MA MFA, MA/MFA, and MA/MS LIS). The overall discount is based upon the tuition rate at time of admission, and the total scholarship amount and terms is shared with admitted students following admission. For more information, please contact [email protected].
ExL Fellows
Simmons is proud to offer reduced tuition to ExL Fellows who continue to invest in themselves and their students through graduate study in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. The Simmons Department of Children’s Literature offers two distinct options for ExL Fellows to study at Simmons in degree-seeking or non-degree capacities that result in significant tuition savings. For additional information on application fee waivers and reduced tuition in both degree and non-degree coursework, please contact [email protected].
The Horn Book
Simmons is proud to offer reduced tuition to employees and interns of The Horn Book. Since its founding in 1924, The Horn Book has served as one of the most distinguished resources in the field of children’s and young adult literature. Simmons University offers two distinct options for employees and interns of the Horn to study at Simmons in degree-seeking or non-degree capacities that result in significant tuition savings. Please note these savings are effective for newly enrolling students beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year and may not be retroactively applied. For additional information on application fee waivers and reduced tuition in both degree and non-degree coursework, please contact [email protected].
Simmons Alumnae/i Scholarship
Simmons alumnae/i are eligible to receive the Double Shark Scholarship, amounting to a total tuition savings of up to 20%, when they enroll in a Children's Literature degree program. The overall discount is based upon the tuition rate at time of admission, and the total scholarship and terms of the award will be shared at the time of admission. Simmons alumnae/i also benefit from an application fee waiver and the opportunity to be considered for additional merit-based scholarships. Email [email protected] to learn more.