Grants and Scholarships in New Mexico

Graduating high school seniors in New Mexico have an abundance of grants and scholarships available to them to help to pay for the cost of college. These programs range from large state and federally funded programs to smaller private scholarships. The following is a listing of some of the most popular an inclusive programs.

Legislative Lottery Scholarship or Lottery Success Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to New Mexico high school graduates and GED recipients that plan on attending an eligible New Mexico College or University. A listing of eligible institutions can be found by following this link:
http://fin.hed.state.nm.us/cms/kunde/rts/finhedstatenmus/docs/1060366710-04-25-2008-13-42-16.pdf

In order to be eligible for this scholarship, an individual must:

have graduated from a New Mexico public high school, an accredited New Mexico private high school, or have
obtained a GED diploma in New Mexico.
Be enrolled in and complete at least 12 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5 grade point average at an
eligible New Mexico public college or university
Enroll in the first regular semester immediately following their high school graduation
not have yet completed a bachelor’s degree

Apply by contacting the financial aid office at the college or university that the individual plans to attend. The scholarship is awarded to pay for tuition only; it can be renewed for up to eight consecutive semesters if the student maintains satisfactory academic standing.
The deadline to apply is set by the individual college or university.

New Mexico Scholars Program

This program is available to students planning to attend a New Mexico public college or university or the following three private institutions: College of Santa Fe, St. John's College or College of the Southwest.

In order to be eligible, an individual must:

be a resident of New Mexico
have graduated in the top 5% of their class from a New Mexico High School or score a 25 on ACT
attend an eligible post-secondary institution by the end of their 21st birthday
not have yet completed a bachelor’s degree
be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester (full time)
have a combined family income of $30,000 or less per year, or $40,000 if two or more family members
are attending college

Apply by contacting the financial aid office at the college or university that the individual plans to attend and complete a FAFSA.

The scholarship is awarded to pay for tuition, fees and books; it can be renewed for up to four years.

The deadline to apply is set by the individual college or university.

Legislative Endowment Scholarship

This scholarship provides aid to students in great financial need who plan to attend eligible public New Mexico colleges and universities. A list of eligible institutions is found by following this link:

http://fin.hed.state.nm.us/

In order to be eligible an individual must be:

be a resident of New Mexico
be planning to attend a public New Mexico college or university
able to demonstrate great financial need
be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester (half time)
not have yet completed a bachelor’s degree

Apply by contacting the financial aid office at the college or university that the individual plans to attend and complete a FAFSA.

The award is up to $2,500 per year at four year institutions, $1,000 per year at two-year institutions, and is renewable as long the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.

The deadline to apply is set by the individual college or university.