Each year New Mexico graduates more students from high school than the year before. Did you know that 2018 boasted the highest growth to date? Are you aware that the larger the number of high school graduates, the more competitive that scholarships and grants become? It’s no secret that the cost of college is getter more expense by the day. However, if education is important to you, you must find scholarship money wherever possible.
There are several college scholarships for New Mexico residents specifically. These scholarships are aimed at students like you who are looking to graduate college debt-free. Yes, we said it, DEBT FREE! It may sound like a hard thing to do, but it’s not impossible.
Though New Mexico’s high school graduation rate is lagging the national average. Now more than ever, New Mexico’s universities are doing more to incentivize student’s attendance. All of the scholarships in this list are exclusive to New Mexico students like you.
This list will provide you with some of the most known and unknown scholarships which are specifically for New Mexico residents.  Make sure you get your pen and paper so that you can take note of all the fantastic opportunities available to you and so you can start requesting teach recommendations now.  Keep reading for the list of free money you should be taking advantage of.
Looking for scholarships in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.
This post is part of our Ultimate FAQ for Applying to Scholarships.
The Best Scholarships in New Mexico for High Achieving Students
1. Aggie Achiever Scholarship
Description: The Aggie Achiever scholarship is an institutional scholarship awarded to New Mexico residents who are looking to attend New Mexico State University. The scholarship awards a maximum f 6500 per year, and limited quantities are available. This scholarship can be renewed each year as long as a cumulative GPA of 3.5 is maintained, and 30 credits are passed each academic year.Â
Requirements: To be eligible for the Aggie Achiever scholarship, students must meet or exceed the following criteria:
- The applicant must hold a high school diploma from a New Mexico high school. Students who hold a GED, or NM-HiSET are also eligible.
- The student should also hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 with at least a 28 composite ACT score or a 1300 composite SAT score. If under a 3.75-grade point average is held, the student must possess at least a 3.5 GPA to apply. The student should then also have at least a 30 on the ACT or 1360 on the SAT.
Application: To be considered for the scholarship, a Scholar Dollar application must be submitted here. The student must also be admitted and have provided their SAT or ACT scores by December 1. The Scholar Dollar application is used for several scholarships at New Mexico State University. Therefore, even if you do not meet these requirements, aid can potentially be found.
2. President’s Associates Excellence Scholarship
Description: The President’s Associates Excellence Scholarship is another scholarship for high achievers that covers tuition and fees.  It is, in fact, one of the most prestigious scholarships that the university offers. It is awarded to incoming New Mexico high school students who have demonstrated superior academic talents. The scholarship also provides a $3,250 stipend for each academic year. The first semester of housing is also included in the scholarship.  Awarded using a blind selection process with a maximum of 15 awards offered each year.
Requirements:Â To be eligible for this scholarship, New Mexico high school students must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must possess a 3.75-grade point average or higher, with a composite ACT score of 28 or greater. If a grade point average lower than a 3.75 is held, a 3.5 GPA and composite score of 30 on the ACT will be accepted. .
- If a New Mexico high school diploma is not held from an accredited school, a New Mexico GED or an NM-HiSET will also be accepted. To receive the scholarship, the student must be attending their first semester subsequently after graduating from high school.
- Students must meet eligibility requirements each year to renew the scholarship.
Application:  To be considered for the scholarship, a Scholar Dollar application must be submitted here. The student must also be admitted and have provided their SAT or ACT scores by December 1. The Scholar Dollar application is used for several scholarships at New Mexico State University. Therefore, even if you do not meet these requirements, aid can potentially be found.
3. New Mexico Scholars Program
Description: The New Mexico Scholars Program aims to encourage high achieving high school students to continue their education at a private or a public New Mexico college.  The student must enroll in an undergraduate program before their twenty-first birthday to receive aid. The scholarship will cover tuition, fees, and even books. The award is able to be renewed until the student graduates or four years have been completed. The school will honor whichever comes first.
Requirements: To be eligible for this scholarship, New Mexico students must meet the following criteria:
- The potential recipient must have graduated from a New Mexico high school within the top 5% of their class. In addition to this requirement, the student must have scored a minimum of a 25-composite score on the ACT or 1140 on the SAT.
- The scholarship is only to be used to obtain an undergraduate degree, and the student must be enrolled full time.
- Potential applications must also exhibit financial need. This means that the student’s family must not have a family income of more than $60,000.
- The scholarship can be used at a public or private institution.
Application: To apply for the scholarship, the student must reach out to the intended institution to receive the timeline for applying, how to submit the application materials, as well as any next steps. Â Further details on the scholarship can be found here.
4. UNM Regents Scholarship
Description: The UNM Regents Scholarship is specific to the University of New Mexico. The scholarship covers roughly 20,000 dollars in expenses per year. These expenses include tuition, fees, and even housing. The award is renewable for up to four years as long as the student maintains the minimum academic requirements. For freshman students, this means maintaining a 3.3-grade point average and living in the Scholars Wing of Hokona Hall. The University of New Mexico aims to award high achievers as it provides several merit-based scholarships each year. These include not just the UNM Regents scholarship but the National Merit Finalist Scholarship, the National Hispanic & American Indian scholarship, and the presidential scholarship.
Requirements: To be eligible for this scholarship, New Mexico students must meet the following criteria:
- The qualified applicant must complete the general admission application to the University of New Mexico as well as completing the scholarship application.
- The student must be a New Mexico high school graduate or a recipient of a New Mexico GED.
- The ideal student will have at least a 31-composite score on the ACT or 1390 on the SAT. The student’s grade point average should be a cumulative 3.9.
Application: To apply for the UNM Regents scholarship or any of the others mentioned above, students will need to fill out the general admission application, as well as the scholarship application. Scholarship application information can be found here.
The Best Scholarships in New Mexico for Minorities or Underrepresented Groups
1. HSF/NM Alliance College Scholarships
Description: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the New Mexico Alliance for Hispanic Education are partnered to bring scholarships to students who are of Hispanic descent. These scholarships range in amount from $1,000 to $2,500 each.
The scholarships are open to a variety of student-types. These types include community college students, transfer students, undergraduate, and even graduate students.
Requirements: Â To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the minimum criteria listed below:
- The applying student must be a U.S. citizen. If the student is not a U.S citizen, they must be a legal resident who can receive financial aid. DACA recipients in New Mexico are also eligible.
- Students applying should have a current grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale.
- All students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. They should hold a full-time status or have plans to enroll in an undergraduate program in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
- Students applying to the HSF/NM Alliance College Scholarships must also remember to complete their federal financial aid form (FAFSA).
Application:Â If this sounds like a scholarship you would be interested in, apply here. Students can apply online or with the scholarship department of their institution.
2. Santa Fe PFLAG
Description: The Santa Fe PFLAG scholarship aims to recognize exceptional students who identify as lesbian, transgender, bisexual, gay, and queer. The scholarships want to encourage students to continue their education no matter their sexual orientation. Though society tends to be harsh to anyone that may seem different, the Santa Fe PFLAG wants to provide an image of positivity to anyone, most importantly the LGBTQ community.Â
The scholarship is awarded each year to students ranging in ages up to 35. Each scholarship is $1000. These scholarships have been provided for the LGBTQ youth since the summer of 1997.
Requirements: To be eligible for this scholarship, New Mexico students must meet the following criteria:
- Though precedence is given to LGBTQ youth, older, non-traditional students may still apply and potentially win. Students up to the age of 35 are eligible to apply.
- Priority will also be given to applicants who are applying for the first time. Unfortunately, if you have already received the scholarship twice, you are no longer eligible to apply.
- Straight students are not left in the dark. Straight Ally scholarships may also be available for students who have been identified as an ally.
- To keep from having to repay the scholarship, the student must enroll in a post-secondary institution within one year of receipt.
- The student must also be a resident of New Mexico.
Application: Information on the Santa Fe PFLAG can be found here. Along with the form, students will find instructions for its completion and instructions for your reference letters.
3. Hispanic Women’s Council (HWC) Scholarship Program
Description: The Hispanic Women’s Council Scholarship was founded as a way to give scholarships to female residents of New Mexico. The council also provides mentorship for scholarship recipients.  The award is intended for a student currently enrolled in the University of New Mexico or Central New Mexico Community College.
Requirements: To be eligible for the Hispanic Women’s Council Scholarship program, students must meet the following criteria:
- All applicants must be female and of Hispanic descent. The student should also be a New Mexico resident.
- The student must first be accepted or enrolled at either the University of New Mexico or Central New Mexico Community College. This enrollment can be part-time or full time.
- Partiality will be granted for students who have finished at least 30 hours of course work. These hours should be applied to a four-year degree or an advanced degree.
- Students will be considered for renewal each year.
Application: Applications and information for the scholarship can be found here. The personal statement and letter of reference should also be submitted with the student’s application. Writing prompts can be found on the application site.
The Best Scholarships in New Mexico for Community Service
1. Kiwanis Club Of Albuquerque Scholarship Program
Description:  The Kiwanis Club Of Albuquerque Scholarship Program is a one thousand dollar scholarship which is awarded to graduating high school seniors. These seniors must be students from Bernalillo, Sandoval Valencia, or Torrance counties. The student must have a robust history of community service. Each year one to four awards will be given of up to $1000.
Requirements:Â To be eligible for receipt of the Kiwanis Club Of Albuquerque Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- The student must be planning on attending a two or 4-year college. This college must be public or nonprofit.
- Students who are planning to go into early childhood development or education will receive preference on receipt of this scholarship. Preference will also be given to students who were members or participants of the Key Club.
- Applicants should also possess a minimum grade point average of a 3.0 and a composite ACT score of 23.
Application: The application can be found online here. The form must be completed online. In addition to the form, two reference letters will be needed. These letters must come from a teacher or counselor and a community service reference. This should be a person who is familiar with your volunteer experience. Also, a personal statement must be turned in. The specific of the writing prompt can be found on the website.
The Best In-State Scholarships and Grants for New Mexico Colleges
1. Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program
Description: New Mexico lottery scholarships are some of the most popular scholarships in New Mexico. The Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program will award a student a portion of their tuition to obtain their undergraduate degree. The Lottery scholarship will not take effect until the second semester of a student’s enrollment.
Requirements: To apply for the lottery scholarship students must possess the following criteria at a minimum:
- The student applicant must be a New Mexico resident to be considered for the scholarship.
- The student must have completed high school at a private or public New Mexico school. The equivalent credential to a high school diploma is also accepted.
- To receive the award, the student must enroll in a New Mexico post-secondary institution within sixteen months of graduation. If this is not done or continuous full-time student status is not held, the individual will forgo the scholarship.
Application: Students can find information regarding the Legislative Lottery Scholarship here. However, to apply for the scholarship, the student must contact the post-secondary educational institute of their choosing. The institution will provide them with eligibility dates and information on when and how to apply.
2. Barnes W. Rose, Jr. and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship Program
Description: The Barnes W. Rose, Jr. and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship Fund was created in 2003 and is aimed at students looking to pursue a degree within the STEM field. This includes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Requirements: To be eligible for this scholarship, students must possess the following criteria at a minimum:
- This scholarship is specifically for students attending Albuquerque High School.
- Eligible students must have a minimum GPA of at least a 3.6.
- Aside from meeting the academic criteria, students must demonstrate a financial need.
- To receive the award, the student must pursue a degree within a STEM field.
Application: You can apply for the Barnes W. Rose, Jr., and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship Program here. Along with the form, students must also submit a personal essay that describes their goals relating to the STEM field. The student must also demonstrate exceptional academic ability in Math and Science on the ACT or SAT. High school coursework is also considered when awarding the scholarship.
Wrapping Up the Best Scholarships in New Mexico
If you have reached the end of this list and you are still wondering how you are going to pay for college, something is wrong. This list has provided you with an abundance of scholarships aimed at various areas of study and academic excellence. These college scholarships are specific for New Mexico residents just like you.
Don’t stand in your own way of getting a scholarship. Schools like the University of New Mexico provide an abundance of scholarships to reward the overachieving student and ensure that students can finish college without the stress of wondering how much time they have until their loan payments kick in.
Applying to schools in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.
Reminder: this list is just to help you get started. You’ll want to read our post on the top scholarship sites to use here too.
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