Scholarships

The Office of Enrollment Management at Perkins School of Theology is committed to serving you by providing information to secure the necessary financial resources to meet your educational goals and financial obligations.  

Our goal is to help students with financial assistance who would not be able to receive theological preparation without aid. We expect that you and your family will contribute to the fullest extent of your ability from income and assets. When considering ways to fund your theological education, we encourage you to explore all possibilities and adhere to application submission dates.

Denominational Considerations: Perkins is an ecumenical school and awards scholarship assistance to students of all religious affiliations and denominations. 

  • United Methodist (UM) Candidates: M.Div. and M.A.M. students who are UM-certified automatically receive a 100% tuition scholarship. UM ordination paperwork must be submitted to Perkins for verification.
  • AME (African Methodist Episcopal) and CME (Christian Methodist Episcopal) Candidates: Students who have the support of their church for licensing and ordination are considered for 100% tuition scholarships.
  • Baptist Applicants: Students affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, American Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and National Baptists are also considered for 100% tuition scholarships.

Other Considerations: To remain competitive and support affordability, the following scholarship provisions apply, subject to continued funding:

  • International Students: Those applying from abroad who are admitted are automatically considered for 100% tuition and fee scholarships.
  • Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.) Students: All M.S.M. students are automatically considered for 100% tuition and fee scholarships.
 

Dean’s Fellowship

The Dean’s Fellowship at Perkins School of Theology is designed to support outstanding Master of Divinity students as they begin their academic and ministerial formation. This fellowship affirms Perkins’ commitment to making theological education more accessible and affordable by investing in students who demonstrate strong promise for leadership, scholarship, and service within the church and the wider world.

Fellowship Support

Dean’s Fellows receive a $10,000 annual stipend to help offset cost-of-living expenses during the academic year. The fellowship may be renewed for up to two additional academic years, based on continued eligibility and availability of funds.

Eligibility Requirements

To maintain fellowship support, recipients must be:

  • Enrolled full-time (9–12 credit hours) each fall and spring semester
  • Pursuing the Master of Divinity program on the Dallas campus
  • In good academic standing and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, as defined in the Perkins catalog
  • Regularly engaging in the Perkins community and participate in designated enrichment opportunities
  • Maintaining eligibility contingent upon the continued availability of fellowship funds

Community Engagement Opportunities

In addition to financial support, the Dean’s Fellowship provides meaningful engagement with the Perkins community through enrichment experiences that foster academic growth. Fellows will gain exclusive access to events and benefits such as:

  • Sponsored community lunches throughout the academic year
  • A hosted meal and dialogue with the Dean
  • Small-group meals with faculty members
  • Behind-the-scenes access to Bridwell Library, including curated collections and conversations with librarians or visiting scholars
  • Invitations to events supporting vocational exploration and spiritual formation, such as Community Hour, Community Worship, Office of External Programs events, and SMU Chaplain and Religious Life programs
 

While Perkins does not require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to issue a scholarship, it's recommended! Several outside scholarship entities require FAFSA results so it is the student's responsibility to complete a FAFSA a timely manner.

Keep in mind:

  • The FAFSA applications for federal and state financial aid for the 2025-2026 academic year are now available to submit.
  • SMU offers several monthly payment plans. Visit the Bursar’s website for payment due dates for 2025-2026 and other details.