SMU rewards excellence
SMU recognizes outstanding academic performance, talents, and leadership abilities by awarding numerous merit scholarships each year. In fact, merit-based scholarships awarded by SMU have been named among the best in the United States by America’s Best College Scholarships. Recipients represent a wide range of economic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds.

Some of SMU’s most prestigious First-year merit scholarships include:

• President's Scholars
• The Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars*
• SMU Distinguished Scholars
• University Scholars
• National Merit Finalist Scholars
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholars - A unique, culturally enriching program for qualifying graduates of the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme. Some IB Scholars are eligible for financial rewards, ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 annually, or up to the cost of tuition and fees. Financial rewards are based on scholars’ IB diploma exam scores and may be used in addition to other SMU Merit Scholarships. Program membership is renewable through four years with a minimum 3.000 GPA at the end of each spring semester.

 If you apply for admission by January 15, we’ll figure out the merit scholarships for which you’re eligible.

* If you’re applying for the Hunt Leadership Scholarship, please include the additional Hunt Scholarship essay with your application for admission.

Click here for more information about all scholarships.

Qualifying transfer students are eligible for a select number of merit scholarships based on previous college performance.