We understand that each student's financial situation is unique. SMU has financial aid advisors that can help you and your family determine the best way to finance your future. We look forward to helping you through the financial aid process.
Don't forget to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS/PROFILE®. The priority consideration deadline is February 15.
Last names beginning with: A, G, S
Minerva Chihuahua
mchihuahua@smu.edu
214-768-4987
Minerva was born in Los Angeles but moved to Dallas at the age of eight and graduated from Skyline High School. She has been working in financial aid for several years and has been a part of the SMU family since 2010. Minerva loves the inviting atmosphere that SMU has to offer. Everyone is always ready to help.
Minerva's advice to students is to be proactive in the financial aid process. “Take advantage of your Financial Aid Advisor and ask as many questions as you need to make sure you have an understanding of how your education will be financed.”
Last names beginning with: B, D, H
Walker Self
mself@mail.smu.edu
214-768-3794
Walker graduated from SMU in 2005 and has been a Financial Aid Advisor in the SMU Office of Financial Aid for over five years. Walker loves the tradition of the liberal arts education that is at the core of SMU's curriculum, the tradition of success associated with many of the athletic programs, and the overall ethos of the university.
Walker loves working in the Office of Financial Aid because the ratio of the staff to students allows him and his colleagues to get to know students and parents on an individual basis while addressing problems. The Financial Aid Advisors are involved with students in the financial aid process from the time they are admitted all the way through graduation.
“The most important things a student can do in the financial aid process is pay attention to deadlines related to financial aid documents and forms and promptly respond to any requests for information from our office.”
Last names beginning with: C, E, L, W
Gordon Brannon
gbrannon@smu.edu
214-768-4213
Gordon is from Portland, Oregon. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's degree in accounting. Gordon joined the SMU admission staff in March 2006 after five years with the financial aid staff at Devry University.
As a Financial Aid Advisor at SMU, Gordon serves as an integral part in students' pursuit of a college degree. He finds it to be both an exhilarating and inspiring experience in assisting students with enhancing their education.
“The best tip when going through the financial aid process is to start as early as possible with completing financial aid applications. Certain aspects of pursuing financial assistance can be competitive.”
Last names beginning with: F, M, N, T
Cindy Luetzow
Luetzow@smu.edu
214-768-2925
Cindy was born and raised in Bad Axe, Michigan. She also lived in Arizona and Oklahoma before settling in Dallas. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and her Master of Liberal Arts from SMU. Cindy's experience includes the Bursar's Office and Undergraduate Financial Aid Advising. Over her two decades of university experience and 14 years of financial aid experience, she has worked at state, private and for-profit institutions.
Cindy joined SMU Financial Aid in June of 2002. She is very happy assisting and helping students and parents with their financial aid needs. SMU has been a great fit for her and she has enjoyed the professionalism, the SMU camaraderie and the beautiful campus SMU has to offer.
Last names beginning with: J, K, P, R
Gina Kelbert
gkelbert@smu.edu
214-768-3384
Gina was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a major in Liberal Studies and a minor in Mathematics. She worked for 2 years at LMU in their Student Loan office and after a move to Dallas in 2010 Gina joined the SMU Financial Aid team. Her love of SMU stems from the wonderful staff and faculty and the value of the education delivered by the university.
Best financial aid tip: “Do not be afraid to ask questions and to remember that every student needs to be proactive about their own financial aid. The Financial Aid Advisors are here to be facilitators in your own goals to finance your higher education investment.”
Last names beginning with: I, O, U, Q, V, X, Y Z
Penny Griffin
pgriffin@smu.edu
214-768-4497
Penny is a proud graduate of SMU and has worked in financial aid at SMU for seven years. Penny loves working at SMU with her great co-workers and all of the wonderful students and families with which she gets to interact. She also loves the atmosphere and the beauty of the campus. Penny's best tip for students going through the financial aid process is to be aware of deadlines and not procrastinate!