The Financial Aid Process

Submit Your Application

If you are an Undergraduate Student and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e., permanent resident), you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. If you are an Undergraduate Student who is not a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e., permanent resident), but you are considered a Texas resident, you must submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) and the CSS Profile ("Profile").

If you are a Graduate student, you will only submit the FAFSA or TASFA. The CSS Profile is not required for graduate programs. Both applications are available October 1 for the following academic year. Students are encouraged to submit both applications as early as possible. 

Filing Dates and Deadlines:   Please remember that you must resubmit your applications each academic year.

The Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have worked together to develop a process, known as the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). This process was formerly known as the IRS-DRT (Data Retrieval Tool). FA-DDX simplifies the steps to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by allowing the FAFSA to retrieve income and tax data directly from the IRS. Using the FA-DDX saves time, reduces data entry errors, and reduces the need for additional documentation and/or follow-up. All FAFSA applicants and contributors who indicate they have filed their federal tax returns prior to completing their FAFSA may use the FA-DDX process to complete their FAFSA.

All other FAFSA data fields must be completed manually and corrected manually, if necessary, once you receive the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). Corrections to the CSS Profile must be made by Financial Aid Services. Contact the SMU Mane Desk at (214) 768-5555 or manedesk@smu.edu for help correcting the CSS Profile.

Make sure to keep all the records you use to file the FAFSA or TASFA, such as your tax documents, W-2's, child support payment records, etc., in a place where you may access them easily. If you are selected for verification, you may be required to submit one or more of these documents to Financial Aid Services. 

The FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for federal and state aid, whereas the TASFA is used only to determine your eligibility for state aid. The CSS Profile will be used to determine eligibility for SMU need-based aid. Information on scholarships offered by SMU can be found on the Scholarships webpage. Students are also encouraged to research local organizations or club affiliations for scholarship opportunities. 

Review Your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)

Previously referred to as the Student Aid Report (SAR), you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) from the Department of Education a few days after you submit your FAFSA. You may check the status of your FAFSA and retrieve a copy of the FSS by logging in to the StudentAid.gov website. Please review the information in the FSS carefully and make corrections as soon as possible, if needed. If you have questions about what information needs to be included on your FAFSA or how to make a correction, if needed, you may contact the SMU Mane Desh at (214) 768-5555 or manedesk@smu.edu or the Department of Education at (800) 433-3243 (4-FED-AID).   

Set Up Your SMU Email Account

Create your SMU e-mail account as soon as you receive instructions. Your SMU email is the primary method of communicating with students regarding official business, which includes Financial Aid Offer notifications. Please check your SMU email often for information regarding your financial aid and other official information.  

Watch for Your Financial Aid Offer

Financial Aid Services will begin sending financial aid award offers to incoming, first year students in mid-April.

• New students will receive their initial financial aid notification by paper. Subsequent notifications will be sent by email.
• Summer and Fall term transfer students will begin receiving financial aid offers in mid-April.
  • Spring transfers will receive financial aid offers in October.   
• Continuing students will begin receiving financial aid offers in early June. 

To ensure timely processing of your financial aid package be sure to check your student dashboard in my.SMU for any pending "To-Do" items.  

View Your Financial Aid in my.SMU

Your financial aid notification will include instructions on how to accept your aid in my.SMU. You will be able to view your aid and take actions to accept, decline or reduce the funding you have been offered.

Verification

***Aid may be reviewed and/or revised so check SMU e-mail often.***

If your FAFSA is selected for verification, Financial Aid Services will notify you via your SMU e-mail and list documents needed under your "To-Do" items. To prevent any delays in processing your financial aid, please send all requested documents promptly. Financial aid offers are subject to change upon review. You will be notified of any changes to your financial aid via your SMU e-mail address.

Any outstanding items will be listed the my.SMU student dashboard.  

Additional Financial Resources

• Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your costs for a year at SMU
• Apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
  • Parents of dependent students may apply at StudentAid.gov for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan.
  • This is a credit-based loan in the parent's name and must be approved by the Department of Education.
• Apply for a Grad PLUS Loan
  • Graduate students who file the FAFSA may apply at StudentAid.gov for a Graduate PLUS Loan. 
  • This is a credit-based loan and must be approved by the Department of Education.
• Apply for a Private Alternative Loan
  • Private or alternative loans are credit-based loans in the student's name and may require a cosigner.

Still Have Questions?

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions on our website. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact the SMU Mane Desk via email at manedesk@smu.edu or by phone at 214-768-5555.