Financial Aid: A college education is a real investment. We're here to try and help you find the resources necessary to make that investment. While admission to Meadows does not guarantee a scholarship offer, we work closely with the University's Division of Enrollment Services to build financial aid packages for students who are admitted into our programs. These packages may include academic scholarships and need-based aid offered by the University.

Undergraduate Scholarships

In conjunction with the financial aid administered by SMU, we offer undergraduate scholarships at the Meadows School in Studio Art, Communications, Dance, Music and Theatre. These programs provide a limited number of tuition scholarships to students with the highest promise for success. Applicants are reviewed by the faculty and administration, and scholarships are awarded to those who have been determined to possess the highest quality artistic and academic credentials and potential. These awards vary in amount based upon this evaluation and are contingent upon formal admission to SMU and acceptance to a Meadows program.

Scholarship programs in the Communications areas are linked to the Communications Honors program. By applying for admission to SMU and indicating communications or an area within communications (Advertising, Cinema-Television, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, or Journalism), you automatically become a candidate for this program.

All new undergraduate and transfer performing and visual arts scholarship applicants are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile after January 1st of your application year. These forms are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and www.collegeboard.com and have to be completed each year. Make sure and include SMU's school code on the forms. Upon completion, you may request that the information on the forms be sent to other colleges that you apply to.

Some applicants feel their family income is too high to qualify for need-based funds. If this is the case and you choose not to fill out the FAFSA or CSS Profile, you must complete the Meadows FAFSA/CSS Profile Waiver Form. To download the form as a PDF, click here. If you cannot read the PDF, click here to download the free Adobe Reader program.

Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships

The Meadows School of the Arts provides a limited number of tuition scholarships and/or graduate assistantships to new students who have been reviewed (through audition, portfolio review and/or interview) by the Meadows faculty and the administration and demonstrate the highest level of achievement in their academic and artistic careers. Like our undergraduate scholarships, these awards are at different monetary values based upon this evaluation and are contingent upon formal admission to the University.

Graduate applicants who wish to apply for federal financial assistance may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

General Information

Other than the admission and application requirements outlined for each academic area and listed elsewhere on this site, there is no separate application for Meadows financial aid. If you apply and meet all the requirements for admission, you will automatically be considered for these merit scholarships.

Scholarship awards are made beginning March 15 with the bulk of awards offered during the month of April.

For more information on SMU financial aid options, click here.

If you have additional questions or need more information, contact the Meadows Financial Aid Office.

Pam Henderson
Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid
SMU-Meadows School of the Arts
PO Box 750356
Dallas, TX 75275-0356
Phone: 214.768.3314
Fax: 214.768.3272
pghender@smu.edu