Opportunity SMU

Student recruitment and retention fund

An 51³Ô¹ÏÍøeducation opens doors, sparks innovation and fuels success for future generations. Through the Opportunity 51³Ô¹ÏÍøfund, 51³Ô¹ÏÍødonors will expand scholarship, financial aid and student support programs that help the University attract, retain and graduate meritorious undergraduate students. Your gift can make the difference in:

  • Attracting top-tier undergraduate students to 51³Ô¹ÏÍøwho receive more attractive scholarship and financial aid offers from other highly selective schools.
  • Supporting these students throughout their academic journeys, bolstering our retention and graduation rates.
  • Expanding diversity in the undergraduate student body by geography, academic interest, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender and other dimensions as needed.

 

As part of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøIgnited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, Opportunity 51³Ô¹ÏÍøadds to many other ways our donors empower outstanding students, such as through restricted gifts to scholar programs in each school, fellowships and other support for graduate students, and scholarship and need-based aid to enhance the recruitment and retention of students from historically underrepresented groups.

Pell Grants infographic
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Opportunity 51³Ô¹ÏÍøgifts of all sizes and types are helpful and welcome. 51³Ô¹ÏÍøseeks a combination of endowment, current-use and planned gifts to strengthen our efforts to recruit and support the kinds of outstanding students whose lives will be transformed by an 51³Ô¹ÏÍøeducation.

Through Opportunity SMU, donors strengthen a wide variety of scholarship and financial aid programs at SMU, including, but not limited to:

  • Scholarships for high-performing students from families with limited incomes who receive federal Pell Grants. With your help, we can cover the cost of tuition, fees, housing and dining.
  • The University’s comprehensive approach to improving retention and graduation rates, which benefits all undergraduate students.
  • A selective program that helps first-year students achieve early success at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøby promoting academic achievement, leadership and personal excellence.

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Undergraduates from Texas families with exceptional financial need received new scholarships in 2023-2024 for 51³Ô¹ÏÍøtuition, housing, dining and fees.