New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

Status: Active state-administered program

Geographic Scope: New Mexico residents

Overview: Students who do not qualify for the Legislative Lottery Scholarship may still qualify for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, which may cover tuition and fees (up to an undergraduate degree) for students who meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

• Student Status: Must be a returning student learner or ineligible for the Lottery Scholarship
• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age
• Academic Progress: Must be meeting financial aid satisfactory academic progress eligibility
• Residency: Must be a NM resident (does not have to be a U.S. citizen)
• Enrollment: Enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours in a degree or credit bearing certificate program at an eligible college or university in New Mexico
• Summer: If enrolled in a minimum of three (3) credit hours, may receive scholarship in summer
• GPA: Maintain 2.5 GPA starting the first semester receiving the scholarship
• Degree Status: Cannot have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree
• Credit Hour Limits: Eligibility does not extend beyond 90 attempted credit hours at a two-year institution if seeking an Associate's Degree or 160 attempted credit hours at a four-year institution if seeking a bachelor's degree
• Multiple Certificates: Students may receive the scholarship for more than one certificate program
• Graduating Semester: Students enrolled in their graduating semester may enroll in less than six credits and maintain eligibility
• Disabilities: Students with disabilities may qualify for less credit hours
• Appeals: Students not meeting eligibility requirements may appeal if they have exceptional mitigating circumstances that have affected their eligibility

Award Amount

• Amount can be equal to tuition and fees when combined with other State aid already awarded; but cannot exceed tuition and fees
• Scholarship cannot be used to replace other forms of state or tuition/fee specific private aid

Duration

The scholarship is renewed on a per-semester basis subject to maintaining eligibility.

Contact Information

• New Mexico Higher Education Department, Financial Aid Division: 1-800-279-9777
• NMJC Office of Financial Aid: 575-392-5172 or financialaid@nmjc.edu