NM Opportunity Scholarship

The State of New Mexico currently has two different NM Opportunity scholarships that assist in covering up to 100% tuition and required fees, as well as up to $50 per credit hour for course-specific fees.

  • Lottery Track Opportunity Scholarship (Recent High School Graduates)
  • Returning Learner Opportunity Scholarship

There is no application process for either opportunity scholarship. The scholarship award will be automatically applied each year to those student’s accounts who have met the eligibility and renewal requirements.

  • Eligible students who transfer to NMSU should contact the Financial Aid Office as they may need to request a scholarship Transfer Transcript from their previous institution before NMSU can add the award to their student account.

The Opportunity Scholarship funds are provided, published, and enforced by the New Mexico Higher Education Department.

The intention of both Opportunity Scholarships is to ensure that an eligible student does not have to pay for tuition or eligible fees out of (their own) pocket. Students who have been awarded other scholarships or grants that are designated to cover tuition and/or fees, will have their Opportunity scholarship awards reduced or cancelled for any term where tuition and fees are partially or fully covered by the other funding sources.

Lottery Track Opportunity Scholarship (Recent HS Graduates)

Initial Eligibility Requirements

To be awarded and receive the Lottery Track Opportunity Scholarship for the initial qualifying semester, students:

  • Must have received a high school diploma from an accredited New Mexico High School or before reaching 21 years of age receives a High School equivalency credential,
  • Must not have yet earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree,
  • Must have established New Mexico Residency at least 12 months prior to graduating from a New Mexico High School or completing High School Equivalency,
  • Must enroll in a minimum of 12 or more credit hours (per semester) within 15 months of High School completion, AND
  • Must maintain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Renewal Eligibility Requirements

To continue to be awarded and receive the Lottery Track Opportunity Scholarship after the initial qualifying semester, an eligible student:

  • Must maintain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale every semester,
  • Must maintain continuous enrollment every fall and spring semester:
    • If attending a 2-year institution (Alamogordo, Grants, or DACC Campus):
      • Must enroll in between 9 – 18 credit hours (every Fall / Spring semester),
      • Must successfully complete a minimum of 24 or more credits each regular academic year, AND
      • Must complete their associate’s degree before attempting 90 credit hours.
      • Students who enroll in summer semester can also receive funding for and 3 – 9 credits.
    • If attending a 4-year institution (NMSU Main Las Cruces Campus and NMSU Global):
      • Must enroll in between 12 – 18 credits (every Fall / Spring semester),
      • Must successfully complete a minimum of 30 or more credit hours each regular academic year, AND
      • Must complete their bachelor’s degree before attempting 160 credit hours.
      • Students who enroll in summer semester can also receive funding for 3 – 9 credits.

Returning Learner Opportunity Scholarship

Initial Eligibility Requirements

To be awarded and receive the Returning Learner Opportunity Scholarship (eligible student who do not qualify for the Lottery Track Opportunity Scholarship), students:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older,
  • Must have received a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential,
  • Must not have yet earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
  • Must have established New Mexico Residency for at least 12 consecutive months prior to applying for admission to NMSU,
  • Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours, AND
  • Must maintain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Renewal Eligibility Requirements

To continue to be awarded and receive the Returning Learner Opportunity Scholarship, students:

  • Must maintain New Mexico Residency status,
  • Must not have yet earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree,
  • Must maintain consecutive enrollment in 6 – 18 credit hours every fall and spring semester (students may also receive funding during the summer for 3 – 9 credits),
  • Must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, AND
  • Must complete the degree program within 90 attempted credits while working towards an associate degree or 160 attempted credit hours while working towards a bachelor's degree.

Other Provisions of Eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarships

  • Students with a referral from NMSU Disability Access Services can be approved for an adjustment of the minimum credit hours requirement each semester.
    • Students with disabilities may require special accommodations, so they are encouraged to consult with NMSU's Disability Access Services in order to receive the accommodations deemed reasonable and appropriate based on the student's needs. Referrals and any supporting documentation should be submitted within 30 days of the start of the student’s qualifying semester.
  • Students are encouraged, but are not required, to complete a free application for student aid (FAFSA) to assist with scholarship renewal eligibility every academic year.
  • The following conditions apply for students transferring from one New Mexico Institution to NMSU:
    • a transfer transcript is required from the former institution before any scholarship can be added to the student’s NMSU account.
  • Recent graduate learners can receive Opportunity scholarship funds for enrollment in less than 12/9 credits, if they are registered for and attend classes within 16 months of high school completion. However, if a student does not successfully enroll in and complete 12 or more credits (per semester) within 16 months of high school completion, they will be suspended from opportunity for a period of 2 years that will begin after the last semester they received opportunity funds. 

Lost Opportunity Scholarship Eligibility Appeals

Students will automatically lose the Opportunity Scholarship if renewal requirements are not met. Every student has the right to appeal the loss of eligibility for the scholarship, if and when the loss occurred because there was an exceptional mitigating circumstance that was beyond the student’s control.

  • If an appeal is submitted AND approved, the student will be put on probation for the following semester of enrollment. During the probationary semester, the student will be required to meet renewal criteria in order to continue to receive the Lottery Scholarship.
  • If renewal requirements are met during this semester, Opportunity aid will be reinstated for the next semester of enrollment.
  • If renewal requirements are not met, the student will lose funding eligibility for future terms of enrollment. Students may be offered Opportunity funds during this probationary period.
  • If an appeal is submitted AND denied, the student will lose eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship for the next 2 years.
  • The scholarship may be renewed two years after losing eligibility and exhausting an allowable probation period.
  • If a probationary appeal is not granted, reinstatement of Opportunity can be petitioned no sooner than two years following the end of the semester when eligibility was lost.

The scholarship cannot be reinstated for exceeding the allowable time frame of 90 credit hours for an associate's degree, or 160 credit hours for a bachelor's degree. 

To submit an appeal, fill out the Financial Aid Appeal Form. In addition to the Appeal Form, you will need to submit a separate typed document explaining the circumstances that prevented you from maintaining the renewal requirements, and any additional documentation that supports your explanation. Please read all instructions on the form in order to complete the appeal form correctly and accurately.