Online MBA Programs Financial Aid Guide 2025-2026

Read all information on sourcing Financial Aid for your Online MBA. If you prefer, you can get this as a download below.

What types of financial resources are available?

Merit scholarships from the Cox School of Business, ranging from $2,000–$15,000, are offered directly through the Admissions process; Financial Aid Services does not have access to additional scholarship funding. All applicants are reviewed for scholarships at the time of admission. For questions regarding scholarships, please contact the Admissions team.

Veterans Benefits (GI Bill) and Yellow Ribbon benefits are administered through the Registrar’s Office. Please review the procedures and contact information online: /enrollment-services/veterans 

Outside scholarships: Students can search several resources for scholarships and apply directly with donors. These scholarships are not vetted by ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½:

  • Sallie Mae Graduate Scholarship Search:
  • BSchools.org Guide to MBA Scholarships:
  • Fastweb College Scholarships (general search):
  • United Methodist Church GBHEM Loans & Scholarships:

Federal loan funding may be available to students who are eligible and choose to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at each academic year. By submitting the FAFSA, students may be eligible to borrow through two loan programs to assist with educational expenses:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  • Maximum of $20,500 per academic year
  • Fixed interest rate: 7.94% (subject to change July 1 of each year)
  • Origination fee: 1.057%

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan

(Requires credit approval; application available online at StudentAid.gov)

  • Maximum amount can be used to cover remaining tuition costs, as well as some personal expenses
  • Fixed interest rate: 8.94% (subject to change July 1 of each year)
  • Origination fee: 4.228%

Private student loan funding may be available for students who are not eligible for, or who choose not to utilize, federal loan funding. Applications are credit-based, and ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ does not recommend any specific lender. For more information, please review the State and Private Loans webpage: /enrollment-services/student-financial-services/loans/state-and-private-loans 

How does the funding process work?

  • For federal student loans, submit a 2025–2026 FAFSA online at using your 2023 tax information. Beginning with the 2025–2026 FAFSA, the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange will import your tax information directly from the IRS if you are eligible.
  • For a private or alternative loan, submit your application directly to the lender. Please use the 2025–2026 award year and 8/2025–5/2026 loan period to cover the full academic year.
  • Loans are certified by the University, and funding is sent directly to the University at the beginning of each term (no sooner than 10 days before the start of classes).
  • Funds will be applied to existing charges first. Any amount remaining after institutional charges have been paid will be processed as a refund to you by Student Accounts. This may take 10–14 business days.
  • For funds to disburse, students must be enrolled at least half-time (4.5 credit hours) in credit-bearing courses per term.

How much does the program cost?

The Online MBA program at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ is charged per credit hour. The following layout shows anticipated charges for the program based on current tuition rates. This information is intended for estimation purposes only and does not represent a contract, agreement, or invoice. Institutions must make publicly available on their website a list of all aspects related to Cost of Attendance. If you would like more information about how housing, food, transportation, and other fees might impact your overall budget, please visit: /enrollment-services/student-financial-services/cost-and-payment/cost-of-attendance.

*Distance Learning Fee is charged per credit hour.

Students are required to complete one immersion, which is two credit hours. Immersion opportunities are offered three times per year and may be domestic or international. Each immersion includes a fee ranging from $1,200–$2,400. Tuition for immersion enrollment is charged in the term immediately prior to the trip (e.g., June immersions are charged with Summer tuition). This is an approximation based on the current year’s fee and is expected to increase in subsequent academic years.

What steps should I take?

  • Review the resources you have available — personal savings, the ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ payment plan, merit scholarships, employer reimbursement, outside scholarships, etc.
  • Know your borrowing history and the status of any prior federal student loan funding. Federal student loan history is available by logging in with your FSA ID at .
  • Prior federal loans must be in good standing before new loans can be certified.
  • The Federal Direct Stafford Loan program has a lifetime maximum of $138,500. If you have previously borrowed toward another degree(s), it is possible you may reach this cap during your MBA program. If you reach that maximum, future borrowing will require credit approval.
  • Calculate your financing needs for the first academic year and seek alternative funding if needed:
    • Anticipated Cost (Charges + Books/Personal Expenses) less your Available Resources (Scholarships, corporate assistance, etc.) will equal/determine your Financing Need.
  • ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ can assist in distributing funds across the current academic year as needed but cannot certify funding for a future academic year (i.e., you cannot combine Summer and Fall funding).

How do I make a payment?

Student Accounts offers monthly payment plans and a variety of methods to pay online or in person. Tuition charges are due at the start of each semester; these due dates are included on your invoice and published online. Please contact the Mane Desk for assistance with:

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Financial Aid Services Contact Information

GradFinAid@smu.edu
(214) 768-5555

ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Mane Desk and Student Accounts Contact Information

Enrol_serv@smu.edu