NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship

NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship

Status: Active state-administered program

Geographic Scope: New Mexico residents only

Overview: The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship may pay tuition (up to an undergraduate degree) for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Students who qualify for the Lottery Scholarship also qualify for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, which pays fees.

Eligibility Requirements

• Residency: Must be a resident of New Mexico
• High School: Must have graduated from a New Mexico public or accredited private high school, completed requirements as a home school student registered with the state, or received a high school equivalency credential (HSE) while living in New Mexico
• Enrollment Timeline: Must enroll full-time at a New Mexico public college or university within 16 months of graduating high school
• Initial Performance: Must earn at least 12 credit hours and a 2.5 GPA in first semester
• Military Service: If student enlisted in the military immediately following high school, student will be eligible
• Ongoing Requirements: Must maintain a 2.5 GPA and complete 24 credit hours successfully each regular academic year at a qualifying NM community college or 30 credit hours at a four-year NM college
• Summer Credits: Students can make up between 3 and 9 credit hours during the summer semester
• Dual Credit: Students who completed an associate degree while enrolled in a high school dual credit program must enroll in a four-year NM college to complete a bachelor's degree
• Disabilities: Students with disabilities may qualify for reduced credit hour requirements and additional semesters of the scholarship

Duration

• Students must remain consecutively enrolled each fall and spring semester to maintain eligibility
• Students attending a community college are eligible for three (3) semesters of scholarship awards
• The scholarship may be renewed at a four-year institution until the award recipient has received seven (7) semesters of scholarship awards or until the student graduates with a bachelor's degree, whichever is sooner
• During a student's qualifying semester, a Bridge or Opportunity scholarship will be used to pay first semester tuition and fee charges

Coverage

The Lottery Scholarship can be used to cover up to 100% of tuition.

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