Reach Higher New Mexico

Not sure where to begin? We can help!

To get started let's answer a few questions. Do any of these apply to you within the last 18 months?

  • I graduated from high school
  • I completed a high school equivalency credential
  • I was honorably discharged from the military

Yes No

It looks like you are considered a recent high school graduate.

The Lottery Scholarship, New Mexico’s first tuition-free college program, covers 100% of tuition for recent New Mexico high school graduates.

Click here to learn more about scholarship options for you!
Do you plan on enrolling in a for-credit certificate, two-year, or four-year program at a public college or university in New Mexico?

Yes No

New Mexico state scholarship programs can only be used at public colleges or universities in New Mexico.

New Mexico state scholarship programs can only be used toward for-credit certificate and degree programs at one of the 29 participating public colleges and universities in the state.

Click here to view participating schools.
Do any of these apply to you?
  • I have already earned a bachelor's degree
  • I have 160 credit hours or more on my transcript from previous college attendance

Yes No

The New Mexico Lottery and Opportunity Scholarships are for students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree and who have fewer than 160 credit hours on their transcript.

However, we encourage you to explore our loan-for-service and loan repayment plans:

It looks like you are considered a returning adult student.

The Opportunity Scholarship makes it possible for you to pursue a college degree or career training certificate, even if you are starting college for the first time later in life, or going back after many years.

Click here to learn more about scholarship options for you!

Reach Higher New Mexico

First-time college enrollment in N.M. up 9%

Nov 13, 2024

SANTA FE – Freshman college enrollment continues to surge in New Mexico, the Higher Education Department announced Wednesday. 

First-time enrollment in colleges and universities has risen 9.2 percent statewide, according to data for the fall 2024 semester.

This is yet another year-over-year increase in first-time, full-time college participation in New Mexico; meanwhile, the national trend is heading in the opposite direction. 

According to preliminary fall semester data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, freshman enrollment in 2024 is down 5 percent. National data is showing notable declines in enrollment at both public and private non-profit colleges as well as colleges that serve low-income students. 

Freshman enrollment in New Mexico has increased each of the last four fall semesters, from 9,810 new students reporting in 2021 to 12,077 this fall, an increase of 23.1 percent over that time period. 

“We can safely assert the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, with its inclusive and expansive approach to tuition-free higher education, has made a real difference for thousands of New Mexicans,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “New Mexico is bucking national trends and spreading more opportunity to more young adults — and we will continue to make every effort to reach more prospective students and provide more career pathways to New Mexicans.”

New first-time, full-time college enrollment in New Mexico increased at every category of higher education institution (research universities, comprehensive universities, branch community colleges and independent community colleges). 

More broadly, college enrollment overall in New Mexico has risen each of the last three academic years and 9.6 percent in total since 2021. 

Each of the categories of higher education institution has seen an increase in enrollment in that time: 

  • 8.1 percent for enrollment at research universities
  • 13.5 percent for comprehensive universities
  • 15.1 percent for branch community colleges
  • 7.5 percent for independent community colleges   

Current and prospective students can learn more about the Opportunity Scholarship at ReachHigherNM.com.