Financial Aid

Working toward and ultimately completing your graduate degree is an investment in yourself. Deciding where and what to study can be exhilarating and exciting. It can also be confusing and stressful, especially when you consider the costs associated with earning an advanced degree. We understand that salaries and personal funds may not be sufficient to pay for tuition and are committed to working with you. We provide financial aid and a variety of departmental grants and scholarships to make it financially more feasible to pursue your educational goals.

1,700+ scholarships

Awarded to master’s degree students in 2023–24

6 out of 10

New master’s degree students received financial aid in 2023

$7K+ per person

Average financial aid package awarded last year to new and continuing graduate students

Make the right move by choosing SMU in Dallas, Texas.

As a dynamic entrepreneurial hub, Texas is home to a variety of industries, from health care and energy to finance and technology. Our networks in Texas and beyond open ample opportunities for students to pursue valuable classroom-to-career opportunities for lifelong returns on the investment in an SMU education.

Announcements, Dates and Deadlines

2023–2024 Academic Year (fall term 2023 – summer term 2024):

  • Scholarships are available in all schools for graduate-level programs. Aid is determined by the individual academic department, typically through the admission process, and then submitted to the Graduate Financial Aid Office to be included in your total financial aid offer. The Graduate Financial Aid Office does not issue scholarship or grant funding separate from the school. Questions regarding scholarships for graduate students should be directed to the academic department during the application process. If a scholarship does not appear as part of your total financial aid offer, please contact your academic department for information.
  • The 2023–2024 FAFSA is available for use. Go to www.studentaid.gov to complete and submit the 2023–2024 application for federal and state financial aid programs. SMU strongly encourages using the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to complete your FAFSA. The FAFSA DRT will automatically pull 2021 tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which reduces errors, shortens processing wait times and minimizes the chances of being selected for verification.
  • Financial Aid awarding cycle for the 2023–2024 academic year is scheduled as follows:
    • New incoming graduate student awards are scheduled to begin in late April and will continue on a rolling basis.
    • Returning/continuing graduate student awards will not begin until mid- to late June after grades from the prior spring term have been evaluated and posted.
  • Award notifications will be sent to your SMU email address.
  • Students who utilize credit-based loan funding, such as the Federal GradPLUS, Texas College Access Loan (CAL), or a private consumer-based education loan, must submit a new loan application specifically for the 2023–2024 academic year.

2023–2024 Academic Year (fall term 2023 – summer term 2024):

  • The 2023–2024 FAFSA will remain available to students attending fall 2023 – summer 2024. Go to www.studentaid.gov to complete and submit your 2023–2024 application for federal and state financial aid programs. SMU strongly encourages using the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to complete your FAFSA. The FAFSA DRT will automatically pull 2021 tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which reduces errors, shortens processing wait times and minimizes the chances of being selected for verification.
  • Financial Aid awarding cycle for the 2023–2024 academic year is ongoing.

Enrollment requirements:

Federal aid for any given term requires part-time enrollment (typically 4.5 or more credit hours). For enrollment of fewer than 4.5 hours, students may use one of the private lenders listed in the Types of Financial Aid link at the top of the page.

Students who are withdrawing from the University or dropping a class should contact their financial aid advisor for additional information on how the change in enrollment will impact current financial aid awards.

Financial aid advising for graduate and doctoral students

Student Financial Services

Graduate Financial Aid Advising
Blanton Student Services Building
Suite 119
P.O. Box 750181
Dallas, TX 75275

GradFinAid@SMU.edu
214-768-3417 Office Main
214-768-3878 Office Fax

 

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