Student account FAQs

Log into my.SMU and find the “Release of Education Records” link. From there, you can grant access to select contacts.

Once a student grants access to a parent, the parent will receive instructions on how to access my.SMU with their own credentials.

At SMU, a student may choose to release all of their education records, restrict access to specified areas, or specifically deny access to a third party.

Students can add a parent as an authorized user through my.SMU and following these instructions.

Once a student adds an authorized user, the authorized user will receive instructions on how to access SMUpay using their own credentials.

For non-resident alien students, there is a 14% mandatory tax withholding for financial aid that exceeds qualified tuition and fees, as they’re categorized as scholarship/fellowship income by the United States Internal Revenue Code.

For additional information on your U.S. Withholding charge or a 1042-S form, email foreignnationals@smu.edu.

You can generate a Print Term Statement in SMUpay:

• Once you are in SMUpay, navigate to the Account Activity tab
• Select the term and account type to view
• Click Print Term Statement for the account activity of the selected term
• The term statement will open in a new window, choose either to print or save as a PDF

If you have a past due balance, you’re subject to a past due fee of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. For example, if you have a balance of $20,000 and you do not pay it by the due date, you are subject to a past due fee of $300.

Past due fees are non-reversible and non-disputable.

Paying your financial hold is the only way to clear it. You can do so through my.SMU to automatically clear your hold. Payments made in person clear overnight.

Payments from a 529 plan can now be sent to SMU digitally through Flywire. This enables 529 plans to conveniently and securely disburse funds to eligible education institutions via ACH529 institutions. 

If the plan holder does not see that SMU is an option, then there is no agreement with that plan. Each financial institution has separate rules and regulations that govern how funds may be used and how they are sent to SMU. Please contact your provider to determine how and when to request release of funds, as well as what documents you will need to support your request.

Payments must include your name and SMU ID. If not sent electronically, we recommend using courier or express delivery so you can track the item. Please allow up to 10 business days from the date that your provider sends payment for receipt and processing by SMU.

Address courier or express deliveries to:

Southern Methodist University
Student Financial Services
6185 Airline Road
Dallas, TX 75205

You or an authorized user can enroll in one payment plan per term (fall and/or spring). Follow the directions below to do so online during the enrollment period.

Students:

1. Log into your my.SMU account
2. Select the “Financials” tab from the left-hand menu
3. Select “SMUpay” from the drop-down menu
4. Select “Payment Plan”

Add an authorized user by logging into my.SMU and following these instructions. Once a student adds an authorized user, that person will receive instructions on how to access SMUpay with their own credentials.

Authorized Users

1. Log into SMUpay
2. Click on “Payment Plan”

Fall 5 Month Payment Plan
Payment Plan Enrollment Period	Required Down Payment	Number of Payments	Automatic Payment Processing Date
July 1 - July 20	0	5	July 20 - Nov 20
July 21 - Aug 20	20%	4	Aug 20 - Nov 20
Aug 21 - Aug 24	40%	3	Sept 20 - Nov 20

Spring 5 Month Payment Plan
Payment Plan Enrollment Period	Required Down Payment	Number of Payments	Automatic Payment Processing Date
11/17/25 - 12/20/25	0	5	December20 - April 20
12/21/25 - 1/20/26	20%	4	January 20 - April 20
1/21/26 - 1/23/26	40%	3	February 20 - April 20

The general student fee contributes to the University experience. A portion is distributed to the Student Association for its programs. The remainder of the fee is used to help fund other University expenses ranging from operations and maintenance to athletic events and security.

The distance learning fee contributes to students’ remote experience, including the creation and management of distance learning courses, equipment, software and online infrastructure costs.

The SMU Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) adds a facility charge when a student’s room needs repairs, cleaning after move-out or furniture removal. If you have specific questions, contact RLSH directly at housing@smu.edu or 214-768-2407.

Refunds can be processed 10 days before classes start if your funds are already in your account. If loans come in after classes begin, you’ll get your refund within 14 days of when the money hits your account.

If you’re on a Payment Plan or have a PLUS loan, refunds go to the bill payer or parent unless the PLUS Loan Release Form is submitted to make it payable to you.

We suggest signing up for direct deposit so you can receive your refund as quickly as possible. Refunds that are sent by paper check take longer to reach you, and if the check is lost in the mail, we require a minimum two-week waiting period before we will issue a replacement check.

Should your term statement not meet your employer requirements; several documents are available for you through your student dashboard and on the Student Financial Services website.

Depending on the timing of the withdrawal, you can get a refund through the GradGuard Tuition Refund Insurance Plan.

Tuition Refund Insurance can help refund your tuition, fees and housing charges, up to the policy limits, if you are unable to complete the semester due to a covered medical reason such as an illness, accident, or mental health issue.