Dedman School of Law: Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid - Southern Methodist University (2023)

Tuition, Fees and Living Expenses

A catalog supplement, the Financial Information Bulletin, is issued each academic year. It provides the general authority and reference for SMU financial regulations and obligations, as well as detailed information concerning tuition, fees and living expenses. The supplement can be accessed at www.smu.edu/bursar (“Policies and Forms” link).

Continuing students registering must ensure that payment for the full amount of charges is posted to their account by the payment due date showing on their bill. The due dates are also published on the Bursar website.

Billing notifications are sent to the student’s SMU email address and to the designated authorized payer(s) email address when a bill is generated. The billing notification will provide instructions on how to view the bill online through SMUpay. If notification is not received two weeks prior to the due date, the student and/or designated authorized payer(s) should contact the Office of the University Bursar.

Payments made in person or mailed must be received by the Office of the University Bursar, located on the first floor of the Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building, no later than 4 p.m. on the payment due date. Payments made online via electronic check or credit card must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on the payment due date. Students and/or those paying on behalf of students who pay online automatically receive an electronic confirmation of payment; students and/or designated authorized payer(s) paying through other methods can also verify receipt of payment online.

Students enrolling after the payment due date must pay at the time of enrollment. Students whose accounts are not cleared by the payment due date or at the time of enrollment are subject to a late payment fee of $50 for balances between $250 and $999.99, and $150 for balances between $1,000 and $5,000. Balances more than $5,000 are charged 3 percent of the outstanding balance, not to exceed $750. Also, after the monthly payment due date has passed, a 1.5 percent past due fee will be assessed on the unpaid student and/or miscellaneous account each month until the balance is paid. The enrollment of students whose accounts remain unpaid after the payment due date may be canceled at the discretion of the University. Students are individually responsible for their financial obligations to the University.

All refunds except federal parent PLUS loans, prepayment accounts, the SMU Monthly TuitionPay Payment Plan and international wires will be made payable to the student. A credit card payment will only be refunded to the student if federal student loans have been applied to their account. International wires will be refunded by wire to the originating wire account less a $35 wire-processing fee. The PLUS loan borrower can request the refund to be processed to the student by submitting a Parent PLUS Release form, located on the Bursar website. If the refund is issued by check, the student may request, in writing, that the refund be sent to another party.

Any outstanding debts to the University will be deducted from the credit balance prior to issuing a refund. Any outstanding debts to the University that include Title IV funds must have an Authorization to Credit Account form and/or an Authorization to Credit Account Parent form on file in order to transfer funds to cover current award year debts. Students need to sign the ACA form and the federal parent PLUS loan borrower needs to sign the ACAP form.

Any outstanding debts to the University that do not include Title IV funds will be deducted from the credit balance prior to issuing a refund. All other debts should be paid directly by the student.

A student whose University account is overdue or who in any other manner has an unpaid financial obligation to the University will be denied the recording and certification services of the Office of the Registrar, including the issuance of a transcript or diploma, and may be denied readmission until all obligations are fulfilled. The Division of Enrollment Services may stop the registration, or may cancel the completed registration, of a student who has a delinquent account or debt, and may assess all attorney’s fees and other reasonable collection costs (up to 50 percent) and charges necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when due. Matriculation in the University constitutes an agreement by the student to comply with all University rules, regulations and policies.

Arrangements for financial assistance from SMU must be made in advance of registration and in accordance with the application schedule of the Division of Enrollment Services, Financial Aid. A student should not expect such assistance to settle delinquent accounts.

During the registration process, students will be prompted to read and agree to the Student Rights and Responsibilities, which provides information regarding financial rights and obligations, SMU’s Honor Code, the Code of Conduct, and the student appeals and complaints process.

Students who elect to register for courses outside of their school of record will pay the tuition rate of their school of record.

Refunds for Withdrawal from the University

Reduction of tuition and fees is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal and is based on the schedule listed in the Financial Information Bulletin, which can be accessed online at www.smu.edu/bursar (“Policies and Forms” link).

Note: For students receiving financial aid (scholarships, grants or loans), when the withdrawal date qualifies for reduction of tuition and fees charges, the refund typically will be used to repay the student aid programs first and go to the student/family last. Further, government regulations may require that SMU return aid funds whether or not the University must reduce its tuition and fees (based on the Financial Information Bulletin); hence, a student whose account was paid in full prior to withdrawal may owe a significant amount at withdrawal due to the required return of student aid. Therefore, students who receive any financial aid should discuss, prior to withdrawal, the financial implications of the withdrawal with the Financial Aid Advising Office.

Medical withdrawals and mandatory administrative withdrawals allow a prorated refund of tuition and fees.

Payment Plan Options

SMU Monthly Payment Plan

The SMU TuitionPay Payment Plan administered by Higher One allows term charges to be paid in monthly installments. Students can enroll in a payment plan at www.tuitionpaymentplan.com/smu. Higher One consultants are available at 877-279-6092 to answer questions or help with the online enrollment process.

Annual payment plans are available in 12-month, 10-month and eight-month formats. Term payment plans are available in four-month, five-month and six-month formats. The summer payment plan is three months. Payment plan options are not available for intersession terms including JanTerm, MayTerm and August terms.

SMU Prepayment Plan

The SMU Prepayment Plan (a single payment up front for all terms) allows families to avoid the effects of tuition and fee increases by paying for two, three or four years in one single payment at the current rate of tuition and fees. Questions should be addressed to the Division of Enrollment Services, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750181, Dallas TX 75275-0181; phone 214-768-2799.

Graduate and Professional Student Aid

University grants, scholarships, fellowships and assistantships are awarded in the school or department in which the graduate student will enroll. Schools and departments that offer master’s or Ph.D. degrees offer a significant number of tuition scholarships and teaching or research assistantships each year. For more information, students should contact the appropriate school or department.

Grants and loans for Texas residents, private and federal loans, and employment programs may be available by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA may be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. The SMU Title IV school code number is 003613.

More information is available online at www.smu.edu/financial_aid.

Scholarships

A limited number of awards of full and partial tuition and fees are made annually to entering first-year students. The Law School endeavors to use the available funds to attract students who will enhance the Dedman School of Law with their academic achievement and potential (relying primarily on undergraduate grade point averages and Law School Admission Test scores) and life experiences. Unless otherwise specified in the award letter, these grants are renewed for subsequent years provided the student remains in good standing. Scholarships are applied to courses taken during fall and spring terms at Dedman School of Law.

James Elliot Bower Memorial Scholarship

Selection of James Elliot Bower Memorial scholars is made on the basis of academic proficiency, extracurricular achievement and financial need.

The Charles and Peggy Galvin Endowment Fund

This fund was established in 1979 by multiple donors in honor of Charles and Peggy Galvin. The endowment provides support for a full-tuition scholarship based on merit.

The Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Law Fellowship

The Dallas Bar Foundation funds several full-tuition scholarships annually to enable men and women from minority groups to obtain a legal education at Dedman School of Law and subsequently enter the legal profession. The fellowship is awarded initially to entering full-time students for one year and is renewable for the second and third years of study as long as the student remains in good standing. Applicants must complete a separate scholarship application and be accepted for admission to Dedman School of Law by the regular decision deadline.

The Hutchison Endowed Scholarship Program Fund

In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hutchison, Sr., created this endowment with the following objectives: 1) to foster and encourage excellence in legal study so that students selected by the school for an award from the endowment income may become competent, able and respected members of the legal profession and/or the business community and 2) to develop in such students the highest sense of duty to community and nation in accordance with the Constitution of the United States. To accomplish these objectives, the school shall employ the following criteria in making scholarship awards: 1) Entering students selected as Hutchison Scholars shall have a superior undergraduate academic record and shall have a high sense of duty and commitment to the community and the nation. 2) A Hutchison Scholar must be a full-time student of the Dedman School of Law each term and must maintain a cumulative average in the upper third of his or her Dedman School of Law class. 3) A Hutchison Scholar shall attend classes regularly, abide by the rules and procedures of the school and maintain a cooperative, friendly attitude and relationship with school administrators, professors and other students.

The Thomas W. Luce, III Centennial Dedman Law Scholars Program Fund

Thomas W. Luce, III Centennial Dedman Law Scholars was established in 2015 by Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. Recipients will be selected based upon academic excellence, demonstrated leadership ability and financial need.

Cary Maguire Ethics Scholarship

Cary M. Maguire created this endowment in 2001 for entering first-year law students who have demonstrated concern and interest in ethical behavior in law. The Cary Maguire Ethics Scholar selection process is based on the law school application and the recipient must write a paper on a topic related to ethical issues in the legal profession during his or her second year.

Rupert and Lillian Radford Scholarship Fund

The Rupert Radford Estate endowed this scholarship fund to aid worthy full-time students at the Dedman School of Law who have high financial need.

The Robert Hickman Smellage, Sr. Memorial Fund

In 1984, the estate of Oda Elizabeth Smellage created this endowment for worthy students at the Dedman School of Law or for students who have graduated from a law school and are enrolled in a postgraduate law program or course of study at the Dedman School of Law.

The Sohmen Endowed Scholarship Fund and The Sohmen Chinese Scholars Program Endowment

These scholarships were endowed by the Sohmen Foundation and Dr. Helmut Sohmen to provide awards for not fewer than four students from mainland China or Hong Kong who are in the one-year LL.M. program and have demonstrated high academic achievement. The scholarships include full tuition, fees and a supplemental living stipend. Students must evidence their commitment to return to China immediately (within seven months) following graduation from the program.

The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholarship Program

Endowed in 1979 by the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, the scholarships, which cover the cost of full tuition, fees, books and a living stipend, are awarded each year to qualified entering students who are residents of or who attended colleges or universities in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Applicants must complete a separate scholarship application and be accepted for admission to the Dedman School of Law by the regular decision deadline (to be admitted by February 15, an applicant must have a complete application on file no later than January 15.).

The James Cleo Thompson, Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund

Mr. and Mrs. James Cleo Thompson, Jr., and Mrs. James Cleo Thompson, Sr., created this endowment in 1984. James Cleo Thompson, Sr. Scholars are students who show high academic performance in their undergraduate education and demonstrate valuable traits as community citizens, including service in leadership positions, experience in the workplace, and volunteer commitment to the community.

Endowed Scholarships

The Dedman School of Law awards varying amounts of tuition and fee support from the following endowments that are established through gifts or bequests from graduates and other supporters.

• The Nelda Sánchez Adamson Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Elizabeth and Louis Altman Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Anonymous Law School Endowment
• The Webster Atwell Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Baker & Botts Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Dennis Barger Memorial Scholarship
• The Michael C. Barrett Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Bennett Scholarship for International Studies
• The Nancy L. Benoit Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund
• James Elliot Bower Memorial Scholarship
• The James Bozzell Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund
• The Eugene and Juanita Brady Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Frank and Debbie Branson Trial Advocacy Scholarship
• Dan Burney Law Students Scholarship
• The Cain Denius Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The R.W. Calloway Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Class of 1986 Teresa Jenkins Carson Memorial Scholarship Endowment
• Clovis G. Chappell Endowment
• Citigroup Foundation Law Scholarship
• The Tom C. Clark Scholarship Fund
• The Frances Spears Cloyd Endowed
• Rosser J. Coke Scholarship
• Dallas Lawyers’ Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The J. Carlisle DeHay, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Law
• Israel Dreeben Scholarship
• The Easterwood Foundation
• The Ray and Kay Bailey Hutchison Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Hutchison Endowed Scholarship Program Fund
• The Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Jackson & Walker Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Johnson & Swanson Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Jones Day Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The John Leddy Jones Memorial Scholarships
• Journal of Air Law and Commerce Fund
• K&L Gates Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The K&L Gates Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Locke Liddell & Sapp Endowment Fund
• The Thomas W. Luce, III Centennial Dedman Law Scholars Program Fund
• Cary Maguire Ethics Scholarship
• E. Eugene Mason Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Joseph P. McKnight Memorial Scholarship
• The Alfred E. McLane Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Tom and Rosemary Medders Law Scholarship Fund
• Marvin and Mollyann R. Menaker Endowment Fund
• The Britton D. Monts Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Annie Morris Law Scholarship
• Alfred P. Murrah Memorial Scholarship
• The James L. Noel, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Dean Charles Shirley Potts Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Maurice E. Purnell Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Rupert and Lillian Radford Scholarship Fund
• The Rain, Harrell, Emery, Young & Doke Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Joy and Ralph Ellis Scholarship
• The Bess and Ted Enloe Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Armine C. Ernst Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Favrot and Hartwell Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Henry R. and Rose S. Feld and Morton H. and Hortense Sanger Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Donald C. Fitch, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
• The Charles and Peggy Galvin Endowment Fund
• The Judge Dean Gandy Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Gardere & Wynne Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Larry D. George Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Gibbs Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Arthur I. and Jeannette M. Ginsburg Scholarship
• Hawkins Golden Law Scholarship
• The J. Roscoe Golden Memorial Endowed Law Scholarship
• The Hall Family Endowed Scholarship in Law
• W. R. Harris, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
• The Linda Wertheimer Hart and Milledge A. Hart III Endowment for the School of Law
• James Hartnett Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Haynes and Boone Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Will T. Henry Endowment
• Wilson W. Herndon Memorial Fund
• Justice John and Lena Hickman Scholarship Fund
• The John Howie Family Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Richard M. Hull Endowed Service Scholarship
• The William A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship Fund
• The Homer B. Reynolds III Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Dean John W. Riehm Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund
• William J. Rochelle, Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Professor Roy R. Ray Scholarship
• The Martin Samuelsohn Endowed Scholarship
• The Richard L. Scott Family Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The John T. Sharpe Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Robert Hickman Smellage, Sr. Memorial Fund
• The Edward R. & Jo Anne M. Smith Endowment Fund
• Wm. Elliott and Mildred Smith Scholarship
• The Sohmen Chinese Scholars Program Endowment
• The Sohmen Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Fred S. Stradley Memorial Scholarship
• Strasburger & Price Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Carl W. Summers, Jr., Endowment Fund
• The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholarship Program
• The Louis Szep Endowed Memorial Fund
• Thompson & Knight Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Thompson & Knight Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The James Cleo Thompson, Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The John J. Tigert VI Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Vial, Hamilton, Koch & Knox Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Vinson & Elkins Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Vinson & Elkins Endowed Scholarship Fund – 2002
• W.A. Rhea Scholarship Fund
• James L. and Catherine Nolan Walsh Scholarship Fund
• James L. Walsh, Jr. for the Support of the Law School
• Meade Whitaker Law Scholarship
• Winstead PC Council for Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund
• The Robert A. Wooldridge Endowed Scholarship Fund