Program Costs & Financial Aid

Students enrolled in courses at SMU-in-Taos will have tuition, course fees and room and board charges added to their SMU Student Account. Tuition will be charged at a per credit hour rate. Current per credit tuition rates may be found below and on the Bursar's website. All students are expected to stay on campus and pay the full room and board rates for that term.

All charges will need to be paid through my.SMU or the SMU Bursar's Office. Term payment deadlines are set by the Bursar's Office an are subject to change. Failure to pay on time may result in the Bursar's Office assessing late fees and placing holds on the student's account. The SMU-in-Taos Office cannot accept or confirm payment for these charges and has no control over late fees. Please notify the SMU-in-Taos Office and the Bursar’s Office if you miss the payment deadline, but still plan to attend Taos. All delinquent payments and late fees should be paid in full prior to arrival in Taos. Students who fail to pay in a timely manner may be automatically withdrawn from courses.

Students will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks or supplies and arranging their own travel and to and from Taos, New Mexico.

Applications are found here - you must have a SMU-in-Taos application on file for that term to be considered: 

Tuition ($1,740/credit hour) 1 course (3-credit hours): $5,220*

Optional PRW 2135 Mountain Sports course (1-credit hour): $1,740
Course Fees $200 for 3-credit courses

Winter: $975 for 1-credit hour PRW 2135 Mountain Sports

Summer: $800 for 1-credit hour PRW 2135 Mountain Sports


January 2025 Room and Board

 12 days (without Mountain Sports): $1,560
14 days (with Mountain Sports): $1,800


May, June, July, August 2025 Room and Board

17 days: $1,980

Month-Long Honors Program 35 days: $3,960

 

*Graduate Students should review their School Graduate Tuition and Fees to determine Taos costs.

Students who currently receive need-based aid from the university may be able to receive pro-rated awards during the summer and January terms. The awards can be applied towards Taos courses exactly as they would apply to courses taken on the main campus. In June Term, students must be enrolled in 6 or more hours at SMU over the course of the entire summer (including May and August) to be eligible for summer aid. Interested students should contact their financial aid advisor for an estimate of their pro-rated awards. For January and May term, financial aid is applied automatically. For May and August terms, students must request their financial aid to be applied by completing a Financial Aid request form. This form is generally available to students from early April to early July. 

Loans:

  • Students can take a private loan to cover intercession term balances. They can take up to 30 days. Students will need to inform the lender that it is for less than 6 hours and the proper loan period.
  • Students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours may also be eligible for Federal or Private loans. Interested students should contact their financial aid advisor for assistance applying for loans.

For more information about the Financial Aid Office, please visit the SMU Financial Aid website, stop by Blanton 119 or call 214-768-3417 for assistance.

Students receiving SMU Tuition Benefits are often eligible to receive full tuition coverage for courses taken at SMU-in-Taos. Please contact SMU Human Resources at tuitionbenefits@smu.edu or 214-768-3311 for more information.

The Friends of Taos Scholarship is a need-based partial scholarship that can be applied towards the tuition of an SMU-in-Taos course. They are available to full-time SMU undergraduate students attending SMU-in-Taos. Assistance is limited and is awarded at the discretion of the SMU-in-Taos Scholarship Award Committee. The award is based primarily on demonstrated financial need although students may provide evidence of extenuating circumstances. Students receiving tuition assistance awards are responsible for all remaining fees, room and board and transportation expenses. 

Deadlines for Scholarships are specific to each term and can be found here.

There are 2 student worker positions available to apply to where you will be provided with a SMU-in-Taos scholarship. You can apply for both positions. 

1. SMU-in-Taos Student Ambassador: The Student Ambassador is a student who is employed by SMU-in-Taos and works as part of a staff team in order to build a positive community experience for residents during the term. The Student Ambassador reports directly to the Taos Student Affairs Representative. Student Ambassadors will be compensated with a room and board scholarship, specific amount will vary based on responsibilities.

Expectations:

  • Building positive community: The Student Ambassador is expected to know the individual students during their term on a personal basis. Each Student Ambassador is expected to create and encourage activities and programs that enhance community and meet residents' personal and academic needs The RA serves as a role model for students in every aspect of University life and is expected to know the various campus services available to students. Assist in planning, promoting, and executing campus programming and social events throughout the term. 
  • Help with check in and check out processes: Arrive to the SMU-in-Taos campus one day prior to the term's "Arrival Date" and depart at the close of duties on the term's "Departure Date". 
  • Attend all training sessions, in either Dallas or Taos. 
  • Meet with supervisor and/or team as needed.Additional tasks as determined by Student Affairs Coordinator (s) and SMU-in-Taos staff. 
  • For the SMU Taos Leadership Institute, there is an expectation to also help facilitate the leadership co-curricular activities. 

2. SMU-in-Taos Student Driver: Student Drivers are employed by SMU-in-Taos and will help drive vans to field trips for classes. Student Drivers will only drive the vans responsibility for outlined purposes and nothing else. Student drivers must be over 21. Student Drivers will also help foster intimate community during the term by promoting and helping host community events.  Student Drivers will be compensated with a room and board scholarship, specific amount will vary based on driver needs. 

In order to confirm attendance and to be enrolled, student must agree to pay room and board fees. Room and board fees are non-refundable. For this reason, we encourage students to coordinate with parents, academic and financial advisors prior to confirming attendance. If a confirmed student cancels their application, withdraws or fails to show up in Taos, they will still be responsible for the room and board charges. The only exception to this policy would be in the event that the SMU-in-Taos office cancels a course and the student is unable to move into an alternative course.

Tuition and course fees are refundable if the student submits the appropriate form by the cancellation deadline. For 100% refund of tuition and course fees, students must submit the Taos Cancellation/Withdrawal Request Form to the SMU-in-Taos Office by the deadline for that term. Any cancellations after 12:01 am on the arrival date will forfeit tuition, course fees, room and board. NO refunds will be issued after the term arrival date.

If you are enrolled in PRW 2135 Mountain Sports, there are separate non-refundable course fee deadlines found on the Dates and Deadlines Page. After this deadline, if you are enrolled in PRW 2135 Mountain Sports, then you will be responsible for the PRW 2135 Mountain Sports course fee for that term. 

All students are required to stay on the Taos campus, pay full room and board and abide by all campus policies (see Conduct Agreement). Violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or Campus Policies may result in removal from the SMU-in-Taos campus and/or fines. If a student is removed from the SMU-in-Taos campus, they will be administratively dropped from all courses without refund and required to leave campus at their own expense.