Paying for College at SMU

SMU is an investment that will last you a lifetime. At SMU you’ll have unique opportunities to prepare for life beyond college.

Innovative approaches to learning, engaged learning beyond the classroom, academic flexibility and the University’s intimate setting in the heart of one of the nation’s leading metropolitan areas add up to a solid educational investment in your future. 

  • First-year students should apply by November 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action and January 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision for priority consideration for merit-based and leadership scholarships. 

Based on your admission application, your financial aid package will include any merit-based academic scholarship for which you qualify. After you’ve been awarded any merit-based scholarships, your SMU financial aid advisor will then review your and .

All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine their eligibility for federal and state financial aid (found at ). Undergraduate students who also want to be considered for university need-based aid must complete the CSS Profile™ each year (found at ). There is a $25 cost for completing the CSS Profile™.

Once the FAFSA and CSS Profile™ have been submitted, your financial aid advisor will put together a package of federal, state and SMU-funded awards, including grants, loans and work-study options, to meet your specific situation.