STATENew MexicoOpportunity Scholarship

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

In a country known for putting its students in debt, New Mexico became the first state to implement free college education for all residents, regardless of family income.

Students who enroll in at least six credits will now be able to work toward their certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree completely free through New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship.

The Opportunity Scholarship is a tuition-free college program that covers up to 100% of tuition and required fees for eligible New Mexico residents. This applies to New Mexico’s 29 public colleges and universities.

The scholarship covers up to 90 credit hours for an associate’s degree and 160 credit hours for a bachelor’s degree. It also covers up to $50 per credit hour for course-specific fees. 1

FAQ

Who is eligible for Opportunity Scholarship?

  1. Be a New Mexico resident and U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
  2. Have a high school diploma or GED.
  3. Be classified as an undergraduate student.
  4. Enroll in at least 6 credit hours if you are continuing student or 12 credit hours if recent graduate learner but not more than 18 credit hours for Fall and Spring semester.
  5. Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

How do I apply for Opportunity Scholarship?

There is no application needed for the Opportunity Scholarship. Legislation does not require a FAFSA, however, SFCC requires a current FAFSA to aid in accurately evaluate eligibility.

If you think you meet the eligibility criteria and have not been awarded the scholarship, please contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

Footnotes

  1. The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship is not for everyone. If you have 90 college credits hours on your transcripts, you are not eligible to receive this scholarship. ↩

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