Frequently Asked Questions

There are several events and opportunities sponsored by the Office of Community Life which encourage students to socialize outside of class, such as the various worship services, CHAP (Community Hour at Perkins), community lunch, fall and spring banquets, and various student interest group opportunities. In addition to the events which are sponsored by the Perkins Community, there are student-organized opportunities such as study groups, prayer and support groups, musical praise groups, and topic discussion groups available.

CHAP is short for "Community Hour at Perkins" and is offered each Tuesday at 11:30 am. It is an informal time for students, faculty, and staff to come together as a community to discuss topics important to theological education and ministry. Often a speaker gives a presentation and there is always time for dialogue and discussion. Watch for flyers and information in the on-line newsletter regarding the various programs.

One of the best ways to find out what is going on within the Perkins Community is to read the weekly Perkins News. Flyers are usually posted throughout our buildings regarding various events and opportunities. Your Community Life Office is open to assist you in ways of getting involved and finding out what is going on in the community.

There are about ten different organizations which are governed through the Perkins Student Association. A list and description of most of the organizations are in the Student Handbook or at http://www.smu.edu/Perkins/StudentLife/Living/StudentOrgs.aspx. Many of these organizations will have representatives at orientation to provide additional information. Also, flyers are posted and notices are provided in the on-line newsletter regarding meetings and various events. We encourage all students to get involved and enjoy the opportunity to socialize and grow with the Perkins Community.

There are a variety of times and formats for students to worship. Morning Eucharist / Morning Prayer is offered Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 – 8:20 am in the Perkins Chapel. The Perkins Community Worship is on Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 am – 12:20 pm in the Perkins Chapel.

Cost summaries including tuition and fees for classes offered for our Dallas and Houston-Galveston Extension Program classes are available. All full-time students should budget at least $1,000 for textbooks.

For new students, the application for admission is your application for a merit scholarship (with a 3.2 cumulative grade point average). Also, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Perkins. We recommend completing the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 but no later than March 1 to be considered for a Perkins Tuition Grant.

For full consideration for merit scholarships, applicants should be admitted to a degree program by February 1. Any applicant with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average will be considered. There is no separate scholarship application required.

Only full-time students enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours each full term are eligible to receive and maintain their merit scholarship.

Degree students on the Houston-Galveston extension program enrolled for the maximum 6 hours each full term may be eligible for the Dean’s Honor Scholarship for Extension Program students.

United Methodists students who are certified candidates for ministry can normally apply for assistance from their annual conference. United Methodist students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships through the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry at www.gbhem.org. Visit our outside scholarship database at http://smu.edu/theology/admissions/scholarships_outside.html to access application information for local, regional, and national awards given to students preparing for various ministry vocations. Students are encouraged to meet all application deadlines when applying for these outside scholarships.

Two international students who are admitted to a full-time degree program may receive an international scholarship, which awards full tuition and fees, housing, insurance, and a stipend.

We offer several kinds of financial aid, from 100% tuition scholarships with stipends to need-based tuition grants. We work closely with our students to help ensure that Perkins is an affordable option for their theological education.

The spiritual formation program, a two-semester course, includes a mandatory spiritual formation orientation in the fall semester and a weekly small group session that explores issues of spirituality including the call to ministry, the formation of religious life, spiritual disciplines and the examination of a growing and changing faith.

First year students enrolled in the M.Div., M.S.M., and C.M.M. degree programs are required to enroll for spiritual formation.

Spiritual formation groups consist of no more than 10 students and are facilitated by faculty and adjunct faculty.

All first year M.Div., M.S.M., and C.M.M. degree students are required to complete spiritual formation in order to graduate.

One credit hour (except for M.S.M. students) is given to those who complete spiritual formation. Credit/No credit is determined on the basis of attendance and demonstrable engagement with the subject matter of the formation process.

All groups are facilitated by Perkins faculty and adjunct faculty and are administered by the Office of Spiritual Life and Formation.