New Mexico scholarships and grants
Every program the state of New Mexico runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Open to most students
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship
100% of tuitionNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED); funded by the New Mexico Lottery
Apply any timePays 100% of tuition at New Mexico public and tribal colleges for recent New Mexico high school graduates who enroll full time within 16 months and keep a 2.5 GPA.
- What it takes: transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Who can get it: Not required: New Mexico residency, or eligibility for New Mexico's nondiscrimination waiver (students of any immigration status who attended a New Mexico high school for at least one year and graduated or earned a high school equivalency credential in New Mexico)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
100% of tuition and course-specific fees up to $50 per credit hour (at New Mexico public colleges and universities)New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Apply any timeTuition-free college for New Mexico residents who aren't recent high school grads (and a gap-filler for recent grads): covers tuition and course-specific fees at any New Mexico public or tribal college, part time or full time.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students, trade school students
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Who can get it: Not required: New Mexico residency, or eligibility for New Mexico's nondiscrimination waiver (students of any immigration status who attended a New Mexico high school for at least one year and graduated or earned a high school equivalency credential in New Mexico); active New Mexico National Guard members also qualify
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Senior Citizens Reduced Tuition
$5 per credit hour, for up to 10 credit hours per semesterNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED); New Mexico public colleges and universities
Apply any timeNew Mexico residents 65 and older pay $5 per credit hour (up to 10 hours a semester) at New Mexico public colleges and universities, space available.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship
Up to $6,000 per academic year (based on need)New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Check datesNeed-based scholarship of up to $6,000 a year for New Mexico students in teacher preparation programs (and licensed teachers in education graduate programs) at New Mexico public or tribal colleges.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For undergrads, transfer students, adults going back to school, grad students
- For education, teacher preparation students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: Not required: New Mexico residency or eligibility for New Mexico's nondiscrimination waiver
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Student Incentive Grant (NMSIG)
$200 - $2,500 per yearNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Check datesNeed-based grant of $200 to $2,500 a year for New Mexico undergraduates with substantial financial need at New Mexico public or tribal colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen or eligible non-citizen (per 5.7.8 NMAC); New Mexico's nondiscrimination principle extends state aid to students who meet its NM high school criteria regardless of immigration status
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Competitive Scholarship
A scholarship of at least $100 per semester plus in-state tuition and fee ratesNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) via New Mexico public universities
Check datesFor high-achieving out-of-state students: a competitive scholarship of at least $100 a semester that also unlocks in-state tuition at New Mexico public universities.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Who can get it: US citizen (non-citizens only where the university has a commission-approved proposal)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Scholars
Tuition, books and feesNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Check datesCovers tuition, books and fees for top New Mexico high school graduates (top 5% or ACT 25 / SAT 1140) from families earning $60,000 or less who enroll full time in New Mexico before age 21.
- What it takes: transcript + test scores + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen or eligible non-citizen (per 5.7.9 NMAC)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Children of Deceased Veterans Scholarship
Free tuition at state educational institutions, plus not more than $300 per yearNew Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS)
Apply any timeFree tuition at New Mexico state colleges plus up to $300 a year for children (ages 16-26) of New Mexico veterans killed in action or who died from wartime service, and of National Guard members and State Police killed on duty.
- Who it's for: child of a New Mexico veteran killed in action or died from wartime service, or of a NM National Guard member or NM State Police officer killed on duty
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Foster Youth Tuition and Fee Waiver
Free college tuition and fees at any New Mexico public university or community collegeNew Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), under state law (NMSA 21-1-4.7)
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees at New Mexico public colleges, universities and community colleges for young people who were in CYFD or tribal custody on or after age 14 and enroll before age 25.
- Who it's for: current or former foster youth (in CYFD or tribal custody on or after age 14)
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Vietnam Veterans' Scholarship
Tuition, required fees, and required booksNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS)
Apply any timeTuition, required fees and books for honorably discharged Vietnam veterans with New Mexico ties, for undergraduate or graduate study.
- Who it's for: Vietnam veteran (Vietnam Campaign Medal, Aug 5 1964 - end of conflict), honorably discharged
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Wartime Veterans' Scholarship
Tuition, required fees, and required books (tuition capped at the highest full-time undergraduate tuition charged at an institution)New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS)
Apply any timeTuition, required fees and books for honorably discharged New Mexico combat veterans (service after August 1, 1990), for undergraduate or graduate study.
- Who it's for: combat veteran with a campaign/service medal for armed conflict after August 1, 1990, honorably discharged
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Athletic Scholarship
Tuition and feesNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) via participating universities
Check datesState-funded tuition-and-fees scholarships for resident and non-resident student athletes at six New Mexico public colleges.
- Who it's for: student athlete selected by a participating college's athletics program
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Graduate Scholarship
Up to 100% of tuition and fees for the graduate program at the eligible institution for the academic yearNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Check datesTuition and fees for New Mexico graduate students from groups underrepresented in graduate education, at six New Mexico public universities.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For grad students
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Fire Fighters & Peace Officers Survivors Scholarship
Tuition, room and board, up to the average cost of attendance at a New Mexico public research universityNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Opens laterTuition plus room and board for the spouses and children of New Mexico fire fighters and peace officers killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: surviving spouse or child of a New Mexico fire fighter or peace officer killed in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- Usual timing: Annual; application requests open July 1, applications due September 1.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New Mexico Native American Tuition Scholarship
Up to 100% of in-state tuition for the program at the eligible institution for the academic yearNew Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
Opens laterUp to full in-state tuition for New Mexico Native American students attending public colleges in Arizona, Colorado or Texas Tech University under in-state tuition agreements.
- Who it's for: New Mexico tribal affiliation
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Usual timing: Annual; opens May 15, closes July 1 (next opens May 15, 2027).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.