Reach Higher New Mexico

Let's get started!

The process is pretty simple. Answer the questions below and we will direct you to the scholarship that is right for you!

Question 1 of 7 Are you a New Mexico resident?
Question 2 of 7 In the last 16 months, have you graduated from a NM High School, attained an High School equivalency (HSE), or been honorably discharged from the military?
Question 3 of 7 Do you plan to attend full-time?
Question 4 of 7 Will you be pursuing a training certificate, associate degree, or a bachelor's degree?
Question 5 of 7 Have you previously received a bachelor's degree?
Question 6 of 7 Are you planning to enroll in a New Mexico public college or university?
Question 7 of 7 Did you previously attend college but did not complete or have you lost your eligibility for the Lottery Scholarship?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship or Lottery Scholarship for the following reasons:

  • You have not established residency in New Mexico or
  • You have previously received a bachelor's degree or
  • You are not planning to enroll in a New Mexico public college or university.
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opp

Congratulations, it looks like you are eligible for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship!

The New Mexico Lottery Scholarship pays full tuition for eligible students who enroll full-time in a two-year or four-year degree program at a New Mexico public college or university.

How can I get started?

There is no separate application for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

Step 1: Apply
Apply to a participating New Mexico public college or university. Click herefor a complete list and to apply!

Step 2: Complete your FASFA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what other grants or scholarships you may also qualify for. Click
here to apply!

Step 3: Enroll
Enroll at the participating college of your choice and register full-time (12 credit hours at community colleges, 15 hours at four-year colleges and universities). Applications can be found here

Still have questions? We are here to help! Click or call:

New Mexico Higher Education DepartmentFinancial Aid Divisionfin.aid@state.nm.us1-800-279-9777

    Rays

    Congratulations, it looks like you are eligible for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship!

    The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship pays full tuition and fees for eligible students who enroll part time or full time in a career training certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree program at a New Mexico public college or university.

    How can I get started?

    There is no separate application for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

    Step 1: Apply
    Apply to a participating New Mexico public college or university. Click here for a complete list and to apply!

    Step 2: Complete your FASFA
    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what other grants or scholarships you may also qualify for. Click
    here to apply!

    Step 3: Enroll
    Enroll at the participating college of your choice and register for at least six credit hours. Applications can be found here

    Still have questions? We are here to help! Click or call:

    New Mexico Higher Education DepartmentFinancial Aid Divisionfin.aid@state.nm.us1-800-279-9777

      Source: The Washington Examiner

      New Mexico passed a law to ensure that its public university students will receive tuition free of charge, effective July 1.

      Residents who enroll in at least six credits can work toward their certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree completely tuition-free. As long as the students maintain a 2.5 out of 4.0 GPA, they can continue their “Opportunity Scholarship,” the titular name of the law. This applies to New Mexico’s 29 public colleges and universities.

      For now, the $75 million-dollar plan has $63 million of its coronavirus relief funding. This amount will only last students one year.

      “The ‘opportunity scholarship fund’ is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury, consisting of income from investment of the fund and any specified distributions, appropriations, gifts, grants and donations to the fund,” the bill reads. “Money in the fund is appropriated to the department for scholarship awards as provided in the Opportunity Scholarship Act.”

      “New Mexico is the first state to offer free college tuition for all residents,” Sen. Ben Lujan posted to social media Tuesday. “I’m proud that we have made higher education attainable for all and I hope every other state will follow our lead.”

      “I can tell you that we believe New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship is fantastic for the state of New Mexico and we know it will benefit many of our [New Mexico State University] students,” NMSU Vice President Justin Bannister told the Washington Examiner. “The Opportunity Scholarship helps to ease the financial burden of attending college, not just for our current students, but also for students who may have left the university before graduation and who are now interested in returning.”

      Currently, state residents hold about $7 billion in student loan debt, with the average graduate owing about $34,211. Just over 10% of the state’s population has student loan debt.