Getting Started

FinAid-Infographic


We’re here to help you get started with the financial aid process. Use the resources here as a simple guide to financing your education. If you have questions, contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@nmsu.edu or 575-646-4105.

Financial Aid Checklist

Use this checklist to help you along in the financial aid process. 

Checklist

 

Complete the FAFSA and Scholar Dollar$

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in determining your eligibility for grants, loans, and/or work-study. NMSU’s priority deadline for the FAFSA is March 1st. NMSU Main Campus School Code is 002657. 

FAFSA   Scholar Dollar$

After you’ve filed the FAFSA, the NMSU Financial Aid Office will work on an award package for you depending on your eligibility. Award letters will start to go out in March.

Setup Your myNMSU Account

All your Financial Aid communications will be sent to your NMSU email account. Registers and review your account at my.nmsu.edu. Use our Instruction Guide to navigate the financial aid section and complete the requirements necessary to receive your awards for the school year.

myNMSU Instruction Guide

Receiving your Aid

New or transfer Freshman students receive an Out-of-Pocket packet, via email, to help you understand awards and costs. All students receive Financing Plans via email once they are awarded. The letters provide in-depth financial aid calculations for budget and awards. Please review the instructional video for the NMSU Financing Plans.

 

 

Accepting or Declining Loans

To accept or decline federal student loans, log on to your myNMSU account. Use the Instruction Guide to help you accept your awards. If you are a first-time borrower at NMSU, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov. These can be found under the  “Complete Aid Process” tab at the top of the page, and you will log in with your FSA ID. Review more information about student loans here.

If you plan on accepting loans, we strongly encourage accepting them before the beginning of your school semester in order to pay off any University balances and, if applicable, to receive a refund for educational expenses. If you will still have a balance after your awards disburse, please review our Payment Plan policy to avoid being disenrolled from your classes. Please be advised, if you have a balance over $1,000 from a previous semester, you will not be able to register for classes for the upcoming semester.

How to Accept Awards via myNMSU

Work-Study Positions

If you were awarded work-study, you can begin searching for work-study positions through the Handshake app. If you were not awarded work-study, but are interested in receiving work-study funds, you can put your name on the work-study waiting list that will open before each semester. Learn more about work-study here.

Have Questions?

Navigating financial aid is hard, so don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way. You can contact our office via email at financialaid@nmsu.edu or call us at 575-646-4105. If you have questions about verification or forms feel free to set up a virtual appointment with your Financial Aid Advisor.