Each December, the SMU community gathers on the main quad of the campus for Celebration of Lights.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A bulletin supplement, Financial Information: Southern Methodist University, is issued each academic year. It provides the general authority and reference for SMU financial regulations and obligations, as well as detailed information concerning tuition, fees and living expenses.

The supplement is available on the Bursar web site. For more information, call 214-768-3417.

Students registering in Continuing Student Enrollment must ensure that payment is received in the Division of Enrollment Services by the due date (published on the Bursar Web site). No confirmation of receipt of payment will be sent. Invoice notifications are e-mailed to the student’s SMU e-mail address after registration for the student to view on the web. If notification has not been received two weeks prior to the due date, Enrollment Services should be contacted. The registration of a student whose account remains unpaid after the due date may be canceled at the discretion of the University. Students registering in New Student Enrollment and Late Enrollment must pay at the time of registration.

Students are individually responsible for their financial obligations to the University. All refunds will be made to the student, with the exception of federal parent PLUS loans and the SMU Monthly Payment Plan. If the refund is issued by check, the student may request, in writing, that the refund be sent to another party. Any outstanding debts to the University will be deducted from the credit balance prior to issuing a refund check. Students with Title IV financial aid need to sign an authorization to credit account (ACA) form. Students with a federal parent PLUS Loan need to have the parent sign an authorization to credit account parent (ACAP) form.

A student whose University account is overdue or who is in any other manner indebted to the University will be denied the recording and certification services of the Office of the Registrar, including the issuance of a transcript or diploma, and may be denied readmission until all obligations are fulfilled. The Division of Enrollment Services may stop the registration, or may cancel the completed registration, of a student who has a delinquent account or debt, and may assess all attorney’s fees and other reasonable collection costs (up to 50 percent) and charges necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when due. Matriculation in the University constitutes an agreement by the student to comply with all University rules, regulations and policies.

Arrangements for financial assistance from SMU must be made in advance of registration and in accordance with the application schedule of the Division of Enrollment Services – Financial Aid. A student should not expect such assistance to settle delinquent accounts.

Students who elect to register for courses outside of their school of record will pay the tuition rate of their school of record.

Withdrawal from the University

A student who wishes to withdraw (resign) from the University before the end of a term or session must initiate a Student Petition for Withdrawal form, obtain approval from their academic dean and submit the form to the Division of Enrollment Services-University Registrar. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date on which the Student Petition for Withdrawal is processed in the Registrar’s Office. Discontinuance of class attendance or notification to the instructors of intention to withdraw does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Reduction of tuition and fees is based on the schedule listed in the Financial Information: Southern Methodist University and is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. The schedule may be found on the Bursar web site, or by calling 214-768-3417.

Please note, however, for students receiving financial aid (scholarships, grants or loans) when the withdrawal date qualifies for reduction of tuition and fees charges, the refund typically will be used to repay the student aid programs first and go to the student/family last. Further, government regulations may require that SMU return aid funds whether or not the University must reduce its tuition and fees; hence, a student whose account was paid in full prior to withdrawal may owe a significant amount at withdrawal due to the required return of student aid. Therefore, students who receive any financial aid should discuss prior to withdrawal the financial implications of the withdrawal with staff of the Division of Enrollment Services.

Medical withdrawals have conditions that must be met prior to re-enrollment at SMU. Medical withdrawals must be authorized by the Medical Director; Psychiatric Director; Counseling and Testing Director; or Vice President for Student Affairs.

Students who live in University housing must obtain clearance from the Office of Residence Life and Student Housing.

Payment Options

The SMU Payment Plan

The SMU Payment Plan allows total annual charges to be broken into monthly installments and spread over 10 months, beginning in June.

For more information about this plan contact:

SallieMae
One AMS Place
PO Box 100
Swansea, MA 02777
1-800-635-0120

The Four-Year Single Payment Plan

The Four-Year Single Payment Plan allows families to avoid the effects of tuition and fee increases by paying for four years in one single payment (four times the first-year tuition and fees).

For more information about this plan contact:

Division of Enrollment Services
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750181
Dallas TX 75275-0181
214-768-4635

Other Commercial Plans

The SMU Division of Enrollment Services receives mailings from other entities offering extended payment plans for credit-worthy families. Contact us if you would like more information.