Each year, SMU awards merit-based University scholarships and school-specific scholarships to selected students for outstanding academic achievement and other qualifying factors.
UNIVERSITY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
President’s Scholars Program
The President’s Scholars Program is awarded to students who have shown exemplary academic and leadership skills. The award provides full tuition and fees as well as study abroad. Students who live on campus also receive a scholarship for room and board. For consideration for the President’s Scholarships, the highest academic merit awards given by the University, students must have exceptional achievement on the SAT or ACT and in their high school curriculum. Admitted students are automatically reviewed; students invited to interview will be notified in the spring.
Visit the website of the President’s Scholars Program.
Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program
The Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program is awarded to students with extraordinary leadership qualities and strong academic performance. The award is full tuition and fees, less the amount of tuition and fees at the leading public university in the recipient’s state of residency, plus study abroad. An additional essay is required.
Visit the website of the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program.
SCHOOL-SPECIFIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
BBA Scholars Program
The BBA Scholars Program invites approximately 100 highly qualified students for admission to the Cox School of Business as first-year students, providing them with early access to Cox programs, advisors and career counselors. Admitted students who indicated Business as their primary academic interest will be automatically reviewed. Selection is based on academic merit. BBA Scholars are also automatically considered for Business Scholarships, with roughly half of new BBA Scholars receiving a Business Scholarship.
Visit the website of the BBA Scholars Program.
Dedman College Scholars Program
The Dedman College Scholars program provides unique learning opportunities for selected academically strong students seeking a major in the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. The program offers scholarship support; an actively engaged community of peers; Honors coursework; and close faculty guidance and mentoring for independent research and exploration of postgraduate academic and career paths. Admitted students whose primary major lies within Dedman College will automatically be reviewed, and a select number of students will then be invited to apply to the Dedman College Scholars Program.
Visit the website of the Dedman College Scholars Program.
Lyle Engineering Scholars Program
The Lyle Engineering Scholars Program is awarded to a select few students based on the candidates’ academic merit, leadership experience, extracurricular involvement and interest in majoring in engineering. Candidates are automatically considered for the Lyle Engineering Scholars Program if they list engineering as their primary academic interest on their admission application.
Embrey Academic Excellence Scholarship Program and Engineering Fellows Scholarship Program
The Embrey Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Engineering Fellows Scholarship programs were created to reward promising engineering students at SMU. Admitted students who indicated engineering as their first choice area of academic interest on their admission application are automatically considered, and selection is based on academic merit.
Meadows Scholars Program
Academically and artistically advanced students with interests in Studio Art, Dance, Music and Theatre may be candidates for the Meadows Scholars Program. This program provides a limited number of scholarships to students with the highest promise for success. Admitted students who have been accepted through the audition or portfolio submission process to a performing or visual art major at SMU are automatically considered. Selection is based on audition performance or quality of portfolio as well as academic merit.
Pre-Law Scholars Program
Each year, a limited number of first-year students are selected to join the Pre-Law Scholars Program. Students participating in the Pre-Law Scholars Program who satisfy certain conditions will be guaranteed admission into SMU Dedman School of Law upon completion of their undergraduate degrees. Pre-Law Scholars will also have a unique opportunity to interact with current SMU Dedman School of Law students through a mentorship program and will learn about serving the community through interaction with the law school’s public service program. Admitted students who marked Pre-Law as an area of interest on their admission applications are automatically considered, and selection is based on the overall quality of a student’s application to SMU.
Visit the website of the Pre-Law Scholars Program.