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Southern Methodist University (SMU) is one of the most generous private universities in the country that goes above and beyond to provide SMU scholarships for their students to cover their educational expenses.
As stated on their website, 72% SMU students with outstanding academic achievement can expect to pay nothing out of pocket for their education.
If you’ve always dreamed of pursuing your degree but are afraid you’ll struggle to pay the costs on your own, fret not: SMU scholarships will provide you with the assistance to address your need for financial aid.
Without further ado, check this list out.
List of Top SMU Scholarships
BBA Scholars Program
The BBA Scholars Program invites approximately 100 highly qualified students to be admitted to the Cox School of Business as freshmen.
To be considered for this scholarship, you must list business major as your first academic interest upon admission to SMU and you must be selected for the BBA Scholars Program.
Also, scholarship opportunities are open to upper-class Cox students. These scholarships have a variety of eligibility criteria that may include GPA, majors, career interests, volunteer work, community service, and more.
Click here to learn more about the BBA Scholars Program.
Dallas County Mustang Scholars Program
The Mustang Scholars Program offers two last-dollar scholarships to ensure that selected students receive full tuition, on-campus housing, and SMU attendance fees.
In addition, Mustang Scholars have access to opportunities such as university studies, on-campus work, internships, participation in academic projects, and study abroad experiences.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a Texas resident,
- Graduate from a public, private, or charter high school located in Dallas County (Texas),
- Be qualified for Pell Grant as defined by the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the equivalent demonstrated need as defined by the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
Click here to learn more about the Dallas County Mustang Scholar Program.
Dedman College Scholars Program
The Dedman College Scholars program is designed to provide unique learning opportunities for gifted students seeking a major in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. It’s a highly competitive scholarship based upon academic merit.
Successful applicants will have access to faculty mentors, several workshops, and be eligible to apply for undergraduate research grants.
To be considered, you must be admitted to SMU as a first-year student whose primary major lies within Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Also, you must qualify academically for the University Honors Program.
Click here to learn more about the Dedman College Scholars Program.
Founders’, Second Century, Distinguished, and Provost Scholarships
These SMU scholarships are awarded to incoming, first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and personal achievement. In particular, this award is based on a comprehensive, holistic review of the SMU admissions application.
Selected students will receive scholarships of $120,000, payable up to $30,000 per year or $15,000 per semester for eight semesters. To be eligible for renewal, recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or greater and full-time enrollment.
Find out more about the SMU Founders’ Scholarship, Second Century Scholarship, Distinguished Scholarship, and Provost Scholarship.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship
SMU students who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma receive a $7,500 per academic year scholarship.
Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, students entering the university as a new first-year or transfer student will be automatically considered for this scholarship during the admission process. This scholarship is renewable for up to eight terms or until graduation, whichever comes first.
To keep their scholarships, all recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and full-time enrollment each term.
Click here to learn more about the IB Scholarship.
The Meadows Scholars Program
Initiated by the Meadows School of the Arts, this program provides renewable scholarships to a group of 20-25 first-year students who have demonstrated high achievement in both the arts and academics.
First-year students who have been admitted to SMU and indicate on their SMU admissions application that they plan to major in any of the performing, visual, or communication arts disciplines within Meadows will be considered for this award based on academic and artistic merit.
Click here to learn more about the Meadows Scholars Program.
The Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program
The Hunt Leadership Scholars Program began in 1993 from the vision and generosity of Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, former SMU students have contributed in a myriad of ways to the community service of Dallas. Approximately 20 students will receive an annual Hunt Scholarship of $184,000 over four years.
Excellent leadership is a key requirement. Plus, you must rank in top 25% of graduating class to be considered for this scholarship. Other prerequisites include essay submission and completion of a strong college preparatory curriculum.
Click here to learn more about the Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program.
National Merit and National Achievement Scholarships
SMU provides a scholarship of up to $5,000 annually for students who have been named a National Merit or Achievement Scholarship recipient.
The scholarship will be awarded for 8 standard terms or until graduation, whichever comes first, as long as the student maintains full-time enrollment status each semester and a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
To qualify, you must designate SMU as your first choice school with the National Merit Corporation by the final deadline. Also, be sure to provide your award letter from National Merit to the SMU Financial Aid Office.
Click here to learn more about the National Merit and National Achievement Scholarships.
President’s Scholars Program
Since its founding in 1982, the President’s Scholars Program has provided full-tuition and fees for eight consecutive fall and spring academic semesters or graduation. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship by applying for admission to SMU.
To qualify, you must have an exceptional achievement on the SAT or ACT, a minimum of 20 high school academic units in a challenging curriculum, a high school rank in the top 10%, and a demonstrated commitment to engagement in school and/or community activities.
Click here to learn more about the President’s Scholars Program.
Robert H. Dedman Scholarship for North Dallas High School
If you’re one of the top scholars at North Dallas High School, you’ll have a chance to be considered for this scholarship program.
The endowment fund, created by Mr. Dedman due to his appreciation of the education afforded him by his high school, provides full tuition, fees, room, and board for its recipients totaling over $288,000 over a four-year period.
As it is a competitive scholarship, you have to satisfy some stringent requirements to be considered, including:
- Being in the top 10% of the graduating class,
- Having a grade average of 90 or better on a 100-point scale,
- Being involved in some activities outside of the classroom,
- Having two or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses completed or in progress.
Click here to learn more about the Robert H. Dedman Scholarship.
Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program
Initiated in 1983, the Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program is the premier scholarship program for Hispanic students in the North Texas area.
Since that time, it’s had a transformational effect on highly talented and academically prepared students who might otherwise find it a financial hardship to fulfill their dreams of a college degree.
SMU offers an annual scholarship of $5,000 per academic year up to four years to students who are recipients of this award.
Click here to learn more about the Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program.
What’s Next
There are still so many high school scholarships waiting for you. For example, SMU has specialized scholarships for transfer students. Each school also offers financial aid for students taking certain majors. If you’re ready to embark on your SMU journey, learn about the admissions process here.
