Funding is an important factor to many students deciding which graduate program to attend. The SMU Master’s Program in Counseling offers two Scholarships to outstanding incoming students in the fall and spring of each year. Recipients will be selected by the faculty and administration of the Counseling Program, based on academic merit, demonstrated leadership and service in the helping professions, and perceived potential for contributing to the field of Counseling.

Applicants to the SMU Counseling Program who wish to be considered for a scholarship at admission must answer “yes” to the question on the application, “Are you interested in being considered for a scholarship?” Applicants must also complete the FAFSA prior to the Counseling Program application deadline (you are not required to qualify for financial aid or to accept loans or other financial aid to be considered for Counseling Program scholarships). If your Student Aid Report (SAR) is not available when you submit your application, you will be required to submit your SAR after admission and before scholarships can be awarded. For FAFSA information, see: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. For additional SMU graduate financial aid information, see: https://www.smu.edu/EnrollmentServices/financialaid/TypesOfAid/GraduateFinancialAid.

Applicants will also need to provide a summary of their previous experiences that demonstrate a history of volunteerism or service with under-represented or marginalized populations.

Constellation Opportunity Scholarship

This $12,600 scholarship is awarded to a highly promising incoming student, based on prior academic merit and demonstrated commitment of volunteer service with under-represented or marginalized populations. The Scholarship provides $2100 for six semesters of enrollment for students enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours during each regular semester of the academic year (excludes summer). This Scholarship is primarily merit-based, although financial need may also be considered. The Scholarship will not be awarded during any semester of less than 6 credit hour enrollment or any semester in which minimum GPA and program standing expectations are not maintained.

Scholarship Award: $12,600 administered over 6 semesters (excluding summer), $2100 per semester

Required enrollment: 6 credit hours

Minimum GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to continue to receive funds

Eligibility Criteria (Also see General Requirements for All Scholarships)

    • Must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each regular semester of the academic year (excludes summer).
    • Recipients should demonstrate a history of volunteerism or service with under-represented or marginalized populations.
    • Bilingual ability will be given consideration, but is not an essential factor
    • Recipients will demonstrate scholastic merit and potential to contribute to the counseling profession. Other desired achievements include activities such as paid employment, internships, or volunteer work in helping professions, leadership experience, community service, presentations/publications, and/or research experience.
    • Preference may be given to students who qualify for financial aid through FAFSA or who demonstrate financial need.
    • Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and good academic in the last two years of undergraduate enrollment
    • Recipients must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0 or greater and good program standing during each term of enrollment in the Counseling Program.
    • Scholarship will be revoked if GPA, academic standing, and enrollment and program standards are not maintained. 

Rising Star Scholarship

This $12,600 scholarship is awarded to a highly promising incoming student, based on prior academic merit and perceived potential to contribute to the counseling profession. The Scholarship provides $2100 for six semesters of enrollment for students enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours each regular semester during the academic year (excludes summer). The Scholarship is primarily merit-based, although financial need may be considered. The Scholarship will not be awarded during any semester of less than 6 credit hour enrollment or any semester in which minimum GPA and program standing expectations are not maintained.

Scholarship Award: $12,600 administered over 6 semesters (excluding summer), $2100 per semester

Required enrollment: 6 credit hours

Minimum GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.5 is required in order to continue to receive funds.


Eligibility Criteria (Also see General Requirements for All Scholarships)

    • Must take a minimum of 6 credit hours each regular semester during the academic year (excludes summer).
    • Recipients will demonstrate scholastic merit and potential to contribute to the counseling profession. Other desired achievements include activities such as paid employment, internships, or volunteer work in helping professions, leadership experience, community service, presentations/publications, and/or research experience.
    • Preference may be given to students who qualify for financial aid through FAFSA or who demonstrate financial need
    • Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and good academic standing in the last two years of undergraduate enrollment.
    • Recipient must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.5 or greater and good program standing during each semester of enrollment in the Counseling Program.
    • Scholarship will be revoked if GPA, and enrollment and program standards are not maintained.