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New Mexico State University
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarship Services

Waivers

New Mexico State University offers a number of opportunities for residents of other states to pay in-state (or reduced rate) tuition. Outlined below are some of the different financial assistance programs offered through the University. Contact the NMSU Office of Financial Aid for additional information. Students attending NMSU under one of these programs will remain classified as a resident of their home state and may not be eligible to establish residency in New Mexico until they have discontinued participation in the program. The programs listed are available only on the NMSU main campus. Other details may apply to certain programs.

Western Undergraduate Exchange
Eligible undergraduate students are assessed New Mexico tuition rates. To be eligible, a student must be:

  • admitted to the NMSU main campus
  • a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • a resident of one of the following states: AZ, AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA or WY

Participation in WUE is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters, provided the student completes a minimum of 12 credits each semester and earns at least a 2.5 semester grade point average in each semester. Participation for students transferring to NMSU will be reduced by the number of semesters transferred.

El Paso, TX Area Waiver (135 Mile Waiver)
Eligible undergraduate and graduate students are assessed a tuition rate very similar to New Mexico tuition rates. To be eligible, a student must be:

  • admitted to the NMSU main campus
  • a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • a resident of Texas and live within 135 miles of the NMSU main campus.

Participation is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters, provided the student completes a minimum of 12 credits each semester and earns at least a 2.5 semester grade point average (graduate students need to complete 9 credit hours and earn a 3.0 gpa) in each semester. Participation for students transferring to NMSU will be reduced by the number of semesters transferred.

Two Year College Waiver
Eligible undergraduate students are assessed New Mexico tuition rates. To be eligible, a student must be:

  • admitted to the NMSU main campus
  • a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • have earned an Associate Degree
  • at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • transferring to NMSU from any accredited 2-year institution designated as Hispanic Serving, Historically Black or a Tribal College OR from any 2-year college in Texas or Oklahoma.

Participation is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters, provided the student completes a minimum of 9 credits each semester and earns at least a 2.5 semester GPA in each semester. Participation will be reduced by the number of semesters transferred.

Active Duty Military Waiver
Eligible students are assessed New Mexico tuition rates. To be eligible, a student must be:

  • admitted to the NMSU main campus
  • a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the spouse or dependent child of an armed forces member while stationed on active duty within New Mexico or Ft. Bliss & Biggs Airfield, Texas.

Participation in the program requires successful completion of the NMSU Active Duty Certification form available from the University Registrar’s Office.

American Indian Nation, tribe and pueblo members
Eligible students are assessed New Mexico tuition rates. Students must be members of an American Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, located wholly or partially in New Mexico, regardless of the residence of the member prior to acceptance at NMSU. These include members of the following tribes or pueblos: Jicarilla Apache, Mescalero Apache, Taos pueblo, Picuris pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara pueblo, Nambe pueblo, San Ildefonso pueblo, Pojoaque pueblo, Tesuque pueblo, Cochiti pueblo, Jemez pueblo, Santo Domingo pueblo, San Felipe pueblo, Zia pueblo, Santa Ana pueblo, Sandia pueblo, Isleta pueblo, Laguna pueblo, Acoma pueblo, Zuni pueblo, and the Ute Mountain tribe.

Navajo Tribal Member Waiver
Eligible students are assessed New Mexico tuition rates. To be eligible, a student must be:

  • admitted to the NMSU main campus
  • a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe residing on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona or Utah
  • completion of the NMSU Eligibility Certification form by the Navajo Department of Higher Education.

The certification form is available from the NMSU Admissions Office.