Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Mission Statement

The Financial Aid Office at Southern Methodist University is committed to serving students by providing information to secure the necessary financial resources to meet their educational goals and financial obligations to the university. Our financial aid advisors offer personal attention to help explore a multitude of available scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans.

The goal of the financial aid program at SMU is to provide financial assistance to students who would not be able to attend college without aid. The university expects that students and parents will contribute to the fullest extent of their ability from income and assets. When considering ways to fund their college education, students should explore all possibilities and adhere to application deadlines. It is the responsibility of the student to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS/Profile in a timely manner.


Undergraduate Advisors

Blanton Building, Suite 119          Phone:  214.768.3417 
Hours: 9am-4pm M-F                   Fax:  214.768.3878

First Initial of Your Last Name Advisor
A, D, I, J, P, R Ashley Griffin-Ruiz
B, E, S, T
Riley Cronin
F, K, N, O, V Deffie Williams
G, H, M, Q, U, X, Y, Z Penny Griffin
C, L, W, Veterans Gordon Brannon
   

Graduate Advisors

Expressway Tower, Suite 1096
Hours:  9am-4pm M-F
Area Advisor
Business, Theology, Engineering, Meadows

Meredith Turner
214-768-2371

Law, Dedman, Simmons, Research Studies, Hart

Charmissa Edmun-Ajakaiye
214-768-3348


Announcements

2017-2018 ACADEMIC YEAR:
  • Current Graduate students interested in utilizing a student loan for Jan Term should contact Graduate Financial Aid for help determining eligibility – please send an email to gradfinaid@smu.eduincluding your name, SMU ID, and academic program for assistance. 
  • Spring 2018 Term newly admitted students should submit a 2017-2018 FAFSAonline at www.fafsa.ed.gov to determine financial aid eligibility for the Spring, May, and Summer terms.  The financial aid awarding cycle for the upcoming spring term will begin in November and will continue on a rolling basis .  Monitor your My.SMU account for any assigned tasks or required documents.   Please contact the Division of Enrollment Services customer service line at 214-768-3417 with any questions.   
2018-2019 ACADEMIC YEAR:
  • The FAFSA & CSS/Profile applications for the 2018-2019 academic year are now available for use.   
    • Go to https://www.fafsa.gov  to complete and submit your 2018-2019 application for federal and state financial aid program.  In addition to the FAFSA, all undergraduate students must also file the 2018-2019 CSS/Profile which is used to determine eligibility for institutional (SMU) based aid.  Go to https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ to submit your CSS/Profile application.  Graduate students do not need to file the CSS/Profile.
  • Financial Aid awarding cycle for the 2018-2019 academic year is scheduled to begin based on the following schedule.   When your financial aid award is ready for you to view/accept, you will be notified by SMU email and through My.SMU.

    • New incoming & transfer undergraduate student awarding will begin in late January, 2018.  
    • New incoming graduate studentawards are scheduled to begin in late April and will continue on a rolling basis.   
    • Returning/Continuing student (Undergraduate & Graduate) awards will not begin until mid to late June after all of your grades from the SPRING term have been evaluated and posted.
  • All scholarships for graduate level programsare awarded by the academic departments; not by the financial aid office.  If you are expecting to receive a graduate scholarship but do not see it when you receive your financial aid award package, please contact your academic department to information.