SMU has one of the most substantial commitments in American higher education to providing merit and leadership scholarships for talented students. These scholarships are awarded without regard to financial need (except where need is listed as a minimum requirement for a respective scholarship) and are gifts that do not have to be repaid. All students who apply for admission by the January 15, priority deadline date are reviewed automatically for scholarship eligibility. Except where noted, no separate application is required.  Below is a list and description of scholarships available to SMU students.

President's Scholar Award
Competitive merit-based award to approximately 20 entering first-year students

Awards

• Full tuition and general student fees, and on-campus room and board, renewable through
  four years
• Tuition and transportation for a summer, term, or full year abroad to one of SMU’s
  Study Abroad international programs, or tuition for one June session at SMU-in-Taos
• Opportunities to meet distinguished scholars, dignitaries, and artists, and attend major
  cultural events and lectures

Minimum Requirements

• At least 17 academic high school units
• SAT of 1350 (minimum 700 verbal, 650 math) or comparable ACT composite
• Top 10 percent of graduating class
• Demonstrated involvement, leadership
• Renewable if full-time enrollment, conduct demonstrating that the student shares the
• University’s values and goals, and a 3.300 GPA are maintained

Application

• Submit SMU admission application by January 15
• On-campus interview of finalists by faculty committee in March, accommodations
  and meals paid
• Notification of recipients in early April

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The Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program

For up to 25 entering first-year students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their high schools, as well as academic achievement

Awards

• Full tuition and fees, less the amount of resident tuition and fees at the leading public university in the student’s state of residency; renewable through four years.
• Tuition and transportation to one of SMU’s Study Abroad international programs.
• Opportunities to meet with distinguished leaders in many fields. Recent examples include Colin Powell, Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, George Bush, and Gregory Peck.

Minimum Requirements

1. DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP -- This is normally reflected through serving in top leadership positions of high school organizations. This requirement may also be reflected through significant leadership accomplishments in areas outside the high school setting. Examples of such leadership may include: Senior or Junior class president or Student Council president, Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper, founders of organizations, senior leadership in scouting or service organizations, Boys State or Girls State representative.
2. Submission of the Hunt Essay (see below), and a completed first-year application for admission to SMU.
3. Rank in top 25% of graduating class.*
4. Composite SAT 1230 on Math and Critical Reading or ACT 28.
5. Completion of a strong college preparatory curriculum, typically including AP courses, IB courses, and honors classes.

Students who lack one of the criteria 3, 4, or 5 may be considered if outstanding abilities in other areas are identified in addition to demonstrated extraordinary leadership.
* If the school does not rank students, then the expectation is a strong academic record.

Application

In addition to your application to SMU, please submit two additional items:

1. One recommendation from a teacher or counselor that directly and clearly addresses your proven leadership record and potential. Your counselor recommendation letter can serve if it clearly addresses leadership, with specific examples.
2. The Hunt Essay.
   Please respond to the following question, in a maximum of 2-3 pages.
   
   “Based on your understanding of leadership, how would you use your leadership abilities as a member of a college community?”
   
   Please submit your Hunt Essay to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. (The Essay can be submitted either along with your application, or separately.) On each page of the Hunt Essay, be sure to include your name, social security number, and the words “Hunt Essay.” You may submit this essay to the SMU Admissions Office in one of three ways:
   • Mail to:
             SMU Division of Enrollment Services
             Office of Undergraduate Admissions
             P.O. Box 750181
             Dallas, Texas 75275-0181
     
   • Email as an attachment to: ugadmission@smu.edu
   • Fax to 214.768.0103

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Nancy Ann Hunt and Ray L. Hunt SMU Leadership Scholarship Award

For The Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program Scholar finalists

Awards

• $10,000 award payable for four years with a minimum 3.000 GPA or graduation, whichever comes first

Minimum Requirements

1. DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP -- This is normally reflected through serving in top leadership positions of high school organizations. This requirement may also be reflected through significant leadership accomplishments in areas outside the high school setting. Examples of such leadership may include: Senior or Junior class president or Student Council president, Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper, founders of organizations, senior leadership in scouting or service organizations, Boys State or Girls State representative.
2. Submission of the Hunt Essay (see below), and a completed first-year application for admission to SMU.
3. Rank in top 25% of graduating class.*
4. Composite SAT 1230 on Math and Critical Reading or ACT 28.
5. Completion of a strong college preparatory curriculum, typically including AP courses, IB courses, and honors classes.

Students who lack one of the criteria 3, 4, or 5 may be considered if outstanding abilities in other areas are identified in addition to demonstrated extraordinary leadership.
* If the school does not rank students, then the expectation is a strong academic record.

Application

In addition to your application to SMU, please submit two additional items:

1. One recommendation from a teacher or counselor that directly and clearly addresses your proven leadership record and potential. Your counselor recommendation letter can serve if it clearly addresses leadership, with specific examples.
2. The Hunt Essay.
   Please respond to the following question, in a maximum of 2-3 pages.
   
   “Based on your understanding of leadership, how would you use your leadership abilities as a member of a college community?”
   
   Please submit your Hunt Essay to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. (The Essay can be submitted either along with your application, or separately.) On each page of the Hunt Essay, be sure to include your name, social security number, and the words “Hunt Essay.” You may submit this essay to the SMU Admissions Office in one of three ways:
   • Mail to:
             SMU Division of Enrollment Services
             Office of Undergraduate Admissions
             P.O. Box 750181
             Dallas, Texas 75275-0181
     
   • Email as an attachment to: ugadmission@smu.edu
   • Fax to 214.768.0103

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University Scholars

Awards

• Maximum of $12,000, payable up to $3,000 per year through four years

Minimum Requirements

• Strong academic background
• Well-rounded extracurricular profile
• Renewable if full-time enrollment and a 3.000 GPA are maintained

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National Merit Scholarships

Awarded to National Merit Finalists in accordance with National Merit-based Scholarship Program rules

Awards

• A minimum of half tuition plus $2,000 (inclusive of all SMU merit-based scholarships and tuition benefits, corporate sources, and need-based grants), not to exceed the total of SMU tuition and fees, renewable through four years

Minimum Requirements

• Student named as National Merit Finalist

Application

• Indicate SMU as first college choice to National Merit Corporation
• Designate finalist status when applying for SMU financial aid

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SMU Mothers' Club and SMU Dads' Club Awards

Awards

• Vary in number and amounts

Minimum Requirements

• For continuing students who have filed financial aid applications and who have demonstrated need and high academic achievement

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SMU Women's Club and Staff Association Awards

Endowed scholarship funds established through the generosity of members of the SMU faculty and staff and their spouses.

Awards

• Vary in number and amounts

Minimum Requirements

• For continuing students who have filed financial aid applications and who have demonstrated need and high academic achievement

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International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Scholars

Endowed scholarship funds established through the generosity of members of the SMU faculty and staff and their spouses.

Awards

• Varying from $4,000 to $12,000 per academic year according to the IB score received (score 30–34 $4,000; score 35–39 $8,000; score 40 and above $12,000)
• Awarded after July each year when exam results for the diplomas are received

Minimum Requirements

• Must have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
• Renewable for 8 terms or until graduation, whichever comes first, if full-time enrollment
  and a 3.000 cumulative GPA are maintained

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Irsay Family Scholarship

For graduates of Indiana high schools. Created by Jim Irsay, owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts and a graduate of SMU.

Awards

• Full scholarship, payable for four years if requirements are met

• Includes Tuition and Fees

• Includes Room & Board if the student lives on campus

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of an Indiana high school and a resident of Indiana

• Demonstrated financial need

• Excellent academic record

• Record of exceptional leadership

Application

• Completed SMU admission application by January 15.
• Pick up an SMU Admissions Application from your high school counselor
• Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 15
• College Scholarship Service CSS/Profile by Feb. 15
• Call 1-800-323-0672 or 214-768-2058 for more information

 

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences - Undergraduate

Various endowed merit-scholarship funds have been established by the Dedman College friends and alumni especially for students majoring in the humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences.

• A number of Dedman College scholarships are available to students in any major within Dedman College, not restricted to particular disciplines. Majors which these scholarships might support: English, Biological Sciences, English - Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Foreign Languages, Chemistry, History Geological Sciences, International Studies, Geophysics, Latin American Studies, Environmental Geology, Anthropology, Mathematics, Psychology, Physics, Sociology, Statistical Sciences, Philosophy, Economics, Religious Studies, Economics with Finance Applications, Ethnic Studies, Economics & System Analysis, African/African-American Studies, Political Science, Mexican-American Studies.

• Numerous scholarships are specifically for incoming first-year students who are sure of their intended major, and are renewable; others are designated for upperclass students who have achieved outstanding academic performance.
• Some scholarships are not tied to need consideration but are merit only. Some are based on need and merit.
• Most of the scholarships are renewable based on full-time enrollment on a Dedman College major and 3.000 GPA.
• If you study abroad on one of SMU's International Programs, your scholarship funds and financial aid can still apply.
• Students, exhibiting outstanding academic merit, transferring to SMU from 2-year or 4-year schools to pursue degrees in Dedman College may also be considered for scholarships.
• As long as your SMU admission application is complete by January 15 (postmark), we will automatically consider you for merit scholarships within Dedman College for which you might be eligible. Completing your application earlier is more helpful, both for you and for us. You do not need to contact us about specific departmental scholarships in Dedman College, and there is no separate application for individual Dedman College scholarships unless you are notified. The matching process begins in January and continues through spring. We work closely with the Enrollment Services offices, so having your financial aid information complete early will also speed up the process.

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Edwin L. Cox School of Business - Undergraduate

Endowed scholarships made possible by the generosity of Cox School alumni and friends, awarded on the basis of merit to juniors and seniors majoring in business.

Awards

• Vary in number and amount; some with very specific donor stipulations

Minimum Requirements

• Academic excellence
• Outstanding leadership and/or community service

Application

• File the FAFSA in spring semester for most awards; some do not require application

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Meadows School of the Arts - Undergraduate

Meadows Merit Scholarships based upon an evaluation of students' artistic competence and potential, made possible by endowments from Meadows' patrons of the arts

Awards

• Full- and partial-tuition scholarships varying in number and amount

Minimum Requirements

• Audition for dance, music, and theater applicants
• Portfolio review for visual or fine arts applicants
• Academic record review for communications honors students
• Renewable if high academic and artistic standards are maintained

Application

• Complete admission application by January 15 and FAFSA by February 1
• Deadlines for artistic merit scholarships vary by discipline

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School of Engineering - Undergraduate

Scholarships for students majoring in engineering and applied science, underwritten by University funds and the generosity of individual donors and companies in the Dallas high-tech community.

Lindsay Embrey Academic Excellence Scholarships

Awards

• Vary in number and amount

Minimum Requirements

• SAT score of 1350 or higher
• Leadership
• Range of personal accomplishments
• Renewable if full-time enrollment and a 3.0 GPA are maintained

Minimum Requirements

• SAT score of 1250-1340; otherwise same as Embrey Scholarship
• Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP)
• This work program is open to all SEAS undergraduates after successful completion of the first year of study. Students who participate fully in the five-year program can earn approximately $44,000 and gain up to 21 months of professional experience before graduation

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Financial Aid Programs for United Methodists

Applicants who are members of the United Methodist Church receive the same consideration as other students for all SMU financial aid programs. They also receive consideration for financial aid specifically dedicated by the United Methodist Church to its members.

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Minister's Family Tuition Awards

Awarded from SMU funds to dependent children or spouses of ordained ministers of the United Methodist Church who are engaged in active pastoral work and dependent children of retired or deceased United Methodist ministers.

Awards

• $3500 per semester for eight semesters of full-time study

Minimum Requirements

• Meet all standard admission requirements
• Maintain a 2.000 overall GPA for renewal
• Complete the above eight semesters within five calendar years

Application

• Complete admission application by January 15, and FAFSA and separate application (available from Enrollment Services) by February 1

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United Methodist Scholarships

Awards

• Vary in amount and number

Minimum Requirements

• Limited to undergraduates who have been active members of the United Methodist Church for at least one year, who have filed a financial aid application, and who have demonstrated financial need and high academic achievement

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Other SMU Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships

For outstanding athletes in football, men's and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, women's volleyball, and track and field

Awards

• Amount and number vary by sport

Minimum Requirements

• Determined in accordance with NCAA and SMU guidelines

For more information, contact:

Office of Recruiting Coordination, Department of Athletics
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750216
Dallas, TX 75275-0216
(214) 768-2864

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Mustang Band

Awards

• Vary in amount and number

Minimum Requirements

• Must meet SMU admission requirements
• Criteria include playing ability, need, desire to participate, and instrument requisites

Application

• Completed SMU Admission Application by January 15

For more information, contact:
Director, SMU Mustang Band
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750493
Dallas, TX 75275-0493
(214) 768-2198

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Online Outside Scholarship Searches and Information Sites
There are a variety of customizable search engines designed to assist students in locating off-campus scholarship resources.  Click on any of the links below to begin searching the Internet for additional scholarship money. There are also various scholarship resources, including a local database and many scholarship reference books, available through the Central Library system at SMU.

For more information, contact:

Southern Methodist University
Division of Enrollment Services
PO Box 750181
Dallas, TX 75275-0181
(214) 768-2058
Email the Scholarship Office