New Mexico benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

New Mexico's name for SNAP, run by New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA), Income Support Division. If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

HCA's college-student flyer (Rev 10/2024) says low-income students aged 18-49 enrolled half-time or more in higher education may be eligible if they meet any of these: work at least 20 hours a week; have a disability; have a child under 12; are in a state or federally funded work-study program; are enrolled half-time or more in a career or technical certificate/associate degree program (example given: an HVAC associate degree program); or take part in an on-the-job training program, work incentive program, or SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program. Students enrolled less than half-time, or aged 17 or younger or 50 or older, are not considered students for SNAP. Apply at yes.nm.gov or 800-283-4465.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) · New Mexico's page for students

Health coverage: New Mexico Medicaid (Turquoise Care managed care)

New Mexico has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for New Mexico Medicaid (Turquoise Care managed care)

Child care help: Child Care Assistance (Universal Child Care since November 1, 2025)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. Child Care Assistance is available to any New Mexico family that is working or going to school, with no income limits and no copays since Universal Child Care began on November 1, 2025. State rules (8.9.3 NMAC) count job training and educational programs, including online programs, GED, ESL, vocational training, and post-secondary schools, and say educational programs include graduate and post-graduate programs or classes. ECECD says assistance hours are no longer tied to your work or school schedule. Applicants submit their school or training schedule. Loss of a school activity allows up to 3 months of continued care.

Apply for Child Care Assistance (Universal Child Care since November 1, 2025) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

New Mexico state Lifeline discount (17.11.11 NMAC): New Mexico's Lifeline rule requires phone companies (eligible telecommunications carriers) to give Lifeline customers a discount of not less than $3.50 a month on basic service, on top of any federal Lifeline benefit. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline (New Mexico state Lifeline discount (17.11.11 NMAC))

Taxes

A refundable New Mexico credit, claimed on Form PIT-1, worth a percentage of your federal Earned Income Credit; since tax year 2021 filers who would qualify but lack a Social Security number, or are aged 18-25, can still claim it. New Mexico's Taxation and Revenue Department lets most taxpayers file their state return free online through the Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). The department's filing-assistance page also lists free in-person help (e.g. Tax Help New Mexico at CNM, AARP Tax-Aide) and IRS Free File.

Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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