How To Get Free College in New Mexico

If you live in New Mexico and are thinking about going to college, you may feel a little overwhelmed about how to pay for school. So, you're wondering: is there a way to attend college for free in New Mexico?

It is possible to get a free college education in New Mexico. Statewide programs like the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship and the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship fund education for qualifying students who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend college. Along with these programs, students may attend tuition-free online colleges in New Mexico.

Keep reading for more information.

Is Community College Free in New Mexico?

Thanks to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, higher education can be free for students at all levels. This means that those attending community college in the state can receive free tuition if eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship.

As long as you qualify for the scholarship, you may be able to attend a community college in New Mexico tuition-free even if you aren't enrolled in a traditional degree program. New Mexicans can enroll in summer courses, certificate programs, and associate degree programs at community colleges, all while using funds from the Opportunity Scholarship.

Who Qualifies for Free College in New Mexico?

Students who qualify for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship can attend school tuition-free at participating private and public colleges in the state. To qualify, students must be New Mexico residents holding a high school diploma or equivalent. Depending on their status they can enroll part-time or full-time but may take no more than 18 credits per semester.

Additionally, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and may not exceed 160 credit hours attempted when completing a bachelor's degree. They must also enroll during consecutive semesters and continually meet credit hour requirements each semester.

What Is the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship?

The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship is a statewide program providing free college for first-time freshmen, returning adult learners, and transfer students. It is a highly inclusive program, covering career training certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees at public and private community colleges, colleges, and universities throughout New Mexico.

The scholarship provides up to 100% tuition and mandatory fee coverage throughout a student's certificate or degree program. It can be combined with other aid such as the Pell Grant so students can fully cover their other expenses. The Opportunity Scholarship is available throughout the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Who Is Eligible?

New Mexico residents are eligible for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

• have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency certificate
• recent high school graduates (enrolling within 16 months of graduation) and returning learners must enroll in 6 to 18 credit hours per semester
• enroll in for-credit programs
• maintain a 2.5 GPA
• maintain consecutive enrollment

Eligible Institutions

The Opportunity Scholarship is available at 29 institutions in New Mexico. This includes the following:

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Tribal schools

How To Apply

There is no application for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. If you qualify, your school's financial aid office will work with you to ensure you receive the scholarship. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While this isn't required to earn the Opportunity Scholarship, it can help you get other forms of aid to help cover expenses other than tuition and fees.

What Is the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship?

The New Mexico Lottery Scholarship program, or the Legislative Lottery Scholarship, provides funds for college students. The New Mexico Lottery donates a portion of every ticket sold to fund the program. More than $1 billion has been raised for scholarships since 1996. Award amounts vary depending on various factors.

Who Is Eligible?

All New Mexico residents who meet the following criteria can receive a New Mexico Lottery Scholarship:

• hold a high school diploma or GED
• have and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GED
• enroll full-time within 16 months after graduating high school

Eligible Institutions

Students can use a Legislative Lottery Scholarship at any public institution in New Mexico. This includes:

• two-year institutions
• four-year institutions
• tribal institutions

How To Apply

Students at eligible institutions are automatically considered for a New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, which will be applied during the second semester if all eligibility requirements are met and maintained during the first semester. While not necessary, students are also encouraged to complete the FAFSA to see if they qualify for other forms of financial aid.

Tips for Making College Affordable

Even if you don't qualify for the scholarship programs discussed above, there are other ways to make college affordable. Since the Opportunity and Legislative Lottery Scholarships only apply to tuition, you can use these tips to cover other expenses. Follow the tips below:

• Apply for financial aid and scholarships
• Earn and apply transfer credits to your degree
• Live off-campus to save money on housing
• Attend a community college
• Use military and employer tuition benefits to cover your education, if applicable.

Tuition-Free Colleges in New Mexico

Now that you know about the programs available to make college free in New Mexico, it's time to find your school. Let's look at some colleges and universities that accept the Opportunity Scholarship and Legislative Lottery Scholarship.

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico is located in Albuquerque. It was established in 1889 and is the largest school in the state with more than 22,600 students. Recent high school graduates attending this school must enroll full-time, taking at least 15 credits during spring and fall semesters, to receive the Opportunity Scholarship and the Legislative Lottery Scholarship.

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is located in Las Cruces. This school has been around since 1888, making it the oldest public school in the state. It is also one of the largest, enrolling more than 21,600 students. Students at this school are also eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship and Legislative Lottery Scholarship as long as they meet the requirements for both programs.

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University is a public school in Portales and was founded in 1927. It enrolls around 5,100 students.

Students at this school can study for free through the Opportunity and Legislative Lottery scholarships. However, those who don't qualify for these programs may be able to reduce or eliminate their college expenses through outside financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as this school offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.

FAQs About Free College in New Mexico

Keep reading if you are still wondering about attending college tuition-free in New Mexico. Below, we'll answer frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Can You Go to College for Free in New Mexico?

Many students can attend college tuition-free in New Mexico through the Opportunity Scholarship and Legislative Lottery Scholarship programs. Additional funding from federal financial aid, scholarships, and other financial resources can be combined with these programs to help you cover other college costs, potentially allowing you to attend school for free.

Can I Receive the Opportunity Scholarship While Establishing Lottery Scholarship Eligibility?

Eligibility for the Lottery Scholarship is established during your first semester of college; after that, it can be applied for up to seven semesters as you pursue a college degree. It is possible to receive Opportunity Scholarship funds during your first semester. This means as long as you meet all initial eligibility requirements, you can use those funds to cover your first semester while establishing your eligibility for the Lottery Scholarship.