There are many opportunities for new students — over 185 million dollars in scholarships awarded in the 2023-2024 year at The University of New Mexico, with thousands of new students receiving an award. Scholarships are merit-based and awards are competitive.
If you've worked hard at your high school, you'll be glad to know that The University of New Mexico is paying attention. Below you will find several scholarships opportunities. Scholarships are merit-based, competitive and a limited number are available. To be considered you must meet the criteria for consideration, be admitted by the Application Deadline and complete any application materials noted. Scholarships consider your unweighted cumulative GPA and are renewable for 4 years. Review non-Lottery scholarship renewal and awarding policies and procedures.
Criteria For Consideration Maintaining Your ScholarshipComplete Admissions Application and Scholarship Application by December 1.
Approximately $24,000 per year — covers base tuition, fees, and housing
Renewable for 4 years
Approximately 12 new scholarships available annually
Minimum 3.90 Cumulative GPAFreshman Regents' Scholars:
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters) AND live in the Scholars Wing in Hokona Hall.
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM by
December 1
Approximately 24,000 per year — covers base tuition, fees, and housing
Renewable for up to 4 years
National Merit Finalist
Complete Admissions Application and Scholarship Application by December 1
Approximately $14,000 per year
Renewable for 4 years
Approximately 75 new scholarships available annually
Minimum 3.75 Cumulative GPA
Approximately $15,000 per year
Renewable for 4 years
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Approximately $15,000 per year
Renewable for 4 years
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
National Hispanic
Scholars
Admitted to UNM by
February 1
Approximately $15,000 per year
Renewable for 4 years
National Hispanic Scholars
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Approximately $4,252* per semester beginning second semester, subject to legislative approval each year
Renewable for 7 consecutive fall/spring semesters and 3 summer semesters (summers are optional)
*Assuming a 3% tuition increase.
At least 12 credit hours per semester and a 2.50 cumulative GPA during their first college semester.
Must successfully complete 12 new credit hours each semester (repeated classes do not count toward credit hours earned) AND maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Student MUST successfully complete 30 credit hours per academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). We recommend students take 15 credit hours per semester, to prevent taking courses in the summer.
If a student drops below the full-time (12 credit hours) status at any time throughout the semester, the scholarship will be canceled for that specific semester and the student will be responsible for all incurred charges.
Covers any gap in tuition and fees owed by a student after other forms of state aid, such as the NM Lottery Scholarship, are applied. Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees.
Opportunity Scholarship does not cover facility fees and differentials.
(Awards will be reviewed after registration add/drop deadline to ensure any additional tuition and/or fees are covered in full)
Criteria for consideration varies. See NMHED for more information.
2.50 cumulative GPA and successfully complete 6 credit hours or more. Students on NM Lottery Scholarship must meet NM Lottery requirements to maintain scholarship.
Apply to UNM by December 1
Renewable for 4 years
4.0 Cumulative GPA
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.0 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Apply to UNM by December 1
$3,000 per year
Renewable for 4 years
3.85 – 3.99 Cumulative GPA
NM High School Graduate or NM GED recipient
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.0 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Apply to UNM by December 1
Renewable for 4 years
3.60 – 3.84 Cumulative GPA
Bridge to Success
Apply to UNM by
February 1
$1,000 for the first semester of the freshman year
3.30 + above Cumulative GPA
NM High School Graduate or NM GED recipient
Apply to UNM by February 1 AND submit federal student aid application (FAFSA) by February 1.
$1,000 for the first semester of the freshman year
2.50 – 3.29 Cumulative GPA
NM High School Graduate or NM GED recipient.
Priority given to applicants with Pell eligibility.
Not renewable.
If you've worked hard at your high school, you'll be glad to know that The University of New Mexico is paying attention. Below you will find several scholarships opportunities. Scholarships are merit-based, competitive and a limited number are available. To be considered you must meet the criteria for consideration, be admitted by the Application Deadline and complete any application materials noted. Scholarships consider your unweighted cumulative GPA and are renewable for 4 years. Review the scholarship renewal and awarding policies and procedures.
Complete Admissions Application and Scholarship Application by December 1.
Approximately $24,000 per year — covers base tuition, fees and housing
*Any non-resident will receive a tuition waiver to adjust non-resident tuition to NM resident tuition rates
Renewable for 4 years.
Approximately 12 new scholarships available annually
Minimum 3.90 Cumulative GPAFreshmen Regents' Scholars:
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters) AND live in the Scholars Wing in Hokona Hall.
Sophomore and above:
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Approximately $15,000 per year
*Any non-resident will receive a tuition waiver to adjust non-resident tuition to NM resident tuition rates
Renewable for 4 years
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Approximately $15,000 per year
*Any non-resident will receive a tuition waiver to adjust non-resident tuition to NM resident tuition rates
Renewable for 4 years
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
National Hispanic
Scholars
Admitted to UNM by
February 1
Approximately $15,000 per year
*Any non-resident will receive a tuition waiver to adjust non-resident tuition to NM resident tuition rates
Renewable for 4 years
National Hispanic Scholars
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.3 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM December 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $22,919 per year, plus a $200 per year stipend
Renewable for 4 years
3.5 GPA and 23ACT (1130 SAT) OR 3.0 GPA & 26 ACT (1240 SAT)Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM by December 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $22,919 per year
Renewable for 4 years
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters)
Admitted to UNM by December 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $22,919 per year.
Renewable for 4 years
3.0+ GPA and Colorado residentAdmitted to UNM by December 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
Eligible candidates are residents of states not included in the WUE region
LUE recipients pay 1.5 times the resident rate
LUE $17,357 per year
LUE Plus recipients pay New Mexico resident tuition rate.
LUE Plus $22,919 per year.
Renewable for 4 years
LUE:
2.8 GPA
OR 18 ACT (960 SAT)
LUE Plus:
3.0 GPA
OR 20 ACT (1030 SAT)
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Best consideration: Admitted to UNM by December 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
Eligible candidates are residents of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, ND, NV, SD, OR, UT, WA, WY, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Rep. of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Rep. of Palau; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
WUE recipients pay 1.5 times the resident rate
WUE $17,357 per year
WUE Plus recipients pay New Mexico resident tuition rate.
WUE Plus $22,919 per year
Renewable for 4 years
WUE:
2.8 GPA
OR 18 ACT (960 SAT)
WUE Plus:
3.0 GPA
OR 20 ACT (1030 SAT)
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Criteria For ConsiderationMaintaining Your Scholarship
Students must follow the Policies and Procedures on all scholarships.
Military & Veteran Scholarships and Tuition Waivers
Determined by respective scholarship or tuition waiver program
Please visit the UNM Veteran’s Resource Center website for information about scholarships and tuition waivers for military members, veterans and dependents
Requirements to retain your scholarship or tuition waiver vary and are determined by the program. See program information for details.
The University of New Mexico offers several different scholarship programs or transfer programs. No matter where you transfer from, we have scholarship opportunities for you.
UNM Transfer
Scholarship
Apply to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $2,000 per year.
Renewable for 4 consecutive semesters
A combined cumulative transfer college GPA of 3.25+.
At least 30 hours of credited transfer hours.
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.0 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Apply to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $2,000 per year
A combined cumulative transfer college GPA of 3.00+.
At least 45 hours of credited transfer hours completed at UNM Branch Campuses (Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos, Valencia).
Apply to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $2,000 per year
A combined cumulative transfer college GPA of 3.00+.
Send NM Scholarship Transfer Transcript (NMSTT) by end of the 3rd week of the Fall Semester; Spring NMSTT by end of the 3rd week of the Spring Semester
Approximately $4,252 per semester and subject to legislative approval each year.
Renewable for 7 consecutive semesters
If a student is a current recipient of the NM Legislative Lottery Success Scholarship at another accredited NM Institution, you may transfer your NM Legislative Lottery Success Scholarship with you to the University of New Mexico.
Must earn 15 new credit hours each semester (repeated classes do not count toward credit hours earned) AND maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
If a student drops below the full-time (15 credit hours) status at any time throughout the semester, the scholarship will be canceled for that specific semester and the student will be responsible for all incurred charges.
Recommended to submit a federal student aid application (FAFSA).
Covers any gap in tuition and fees owed by a student after other forms of state aid, such as the NM Lottery Scholarship, are applied. Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees.
(Awards will be reviewed after registration add/drop deadline to ensure any additional tuition and/or fees are covered in full).
Criteria for consideration varies. See NMHED for more information.
2.5 Cumulative GPA
Phi Theta Kappa – All-State Academic Team Apply to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semesterSelected for PTK All-State Academic Team
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 3.0 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters)
Admitted to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $22,919 per year, plus a $200 per year stipend
Renewable for 2 years
A combined transfer college GPA of 3.5+.
A combined cumulative transfer college GPA of 3.25+ (on a 4.0 scale) and at least 30 hours of credited transfer hours. Must also meet the First-Time Freshman for the Amigo Scholarship.
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Approximately $22,919 per year
Renewable for 2 years
3.0+ GPA and Arizona resident
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semesterApproximately $22,919 per year
Renewable for 2 years
3.0+ GPA and Colorado resident
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Admitted to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semesterLUE recipients pay 1.5 times the resident rate
LUE $17,357 per year
LUE Plus recipients pay New Mexico resident tuition rate.
LUE Plus $22,919 per year
Renewable for 2 years
LUE:
2.8 cumulative college GPA and at least 30 credit hours.
LUE Plus:
3.0 cumulative college GPA and at least 30 credit hours.
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
Best consideration: Admitted to UNM by May 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester
Eligible candidates are residents of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, ND, NV, SD, OR, UT, WA, WY, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Rep. of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Rep. of Palau; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
WUE recipients pay 1.5 times the resident rate
WUE $17,357 per year
WUE Plus recipients pay New Mexico resident tuition rate.
WUE Plus $22,919 per year
Renewable for 2 years
WUE:
2.8 cumulative college GPA and at least 30 credit hours.
WUE Plus:
3.0 cumulative college GPA and at least 30 credit hours.
Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).
The University of New Mexico administers a large and diverse collection of endowed scholarships providing assistance to Main campus undergraduate students each year. These scholarships are designed to reward, encourage and assist them in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles. We pay attention to your hard work and dedication to achieving your educational goals.
Selection Process
There is no application to apply for General Scholarships. Each year the selection process is completed using data gathered from the admissions file, registrar records and information submitted on the FAFSA. The scholarship committee reviews qualified applicants based on financial need, academic merit, and other criteria relevant to the particular endowment. The selection process is extremely competitive as all continuing Main campus students are considered in the pool every year.
Once the awarding process is complete, students are notified via email during the spring semester if they are a scholarship recipient for the upcoming academic year. General Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis for the fall and spring semesters averaging between $200 to $1,000 per year ($100 to $500 per semester). Awards are not made for the summer sessions. All General Scholarship awards are offered for one academic year and cannot be deferred or automatically renewed.
We encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 5 in order to maximize consideration for all federal, state, and institutional funds they may be eligible to receive.
Eligibility
To be considered for endowed scholarships students must fulfill the following requirements:
The following is a list of scholarships that are awarded. (Please note: Applications are not available for these scholarships. Recipients are selected by the UNM Scholarships Office using the process stated above.)
Frank H. Allen, III Memorial — Amount Varies
Arab Women’s Scholarship — Amount Varies
Ballut Abyad — Amount Varies
Bader/Nelson — Amount Varies
Louise Bell — Amount Varies
Philo Bennet — Amount Varies
Downer-Bennett — Amount Varies
L . Beverly Damron — Amount Varies
Predicanda DeGeer Scholarship — Amount Varies
James Doolittle — Amount Varies
Marguerite M. Drum Endowed Memorial Scholarship for Native American students — Amount Varies
Filipino-American Scholarship — Amount Varies
Bobby Foster — Amount Varies
Education Trust Board Pathways — Amount Varies
Edward Grisso — Amount Varies
Robert Hammond Scholarship Fund — Amount Varies
Lena Heath — Amount Varies
C.L. Herrick — Amount Varies
Bertha B. Hollis — Amount Varies
Louise E. Johnson — Amount Varies
Frederick/Christine Kent — Amount Varies
James M. & Luella Key Endowed Scholarship — Amount Varies
Clyde Oden — Amount Varies
Blase Padilla — Amount Varies
Manuel Pino — Amount Varies
L.B. Reeder — Amount Varies
Austin Roberts — Amount Varies
Kathleen Rogers — Amount Varies
Manuel F. Saenz Jr. Memorial Scholarship — Amount Varies
Rita G. Sanchez — Amount Varies
Carrie Schaeffer — Amount Varies
Harrison Schmitt — Amount Varies
John Schneid — Amount Varies
Raymond Shoemaker — Amount Varies
Doris and Thornton Seligman Memorial Scholarship — Amount Varies
Dr. Dan Trigg — Amount Varies
Glen T. Simpson — Amount Varies
Ralph M. Watrous — Amount Varies
Lawrence White — Amount Varies
Tribal scholarships are sourced and processed through the respective tribal scholarship offices/higher education departments independent of UNM. Please work with your tribal higher education department in seeking funding from your tribe. For a directory of New Mexico Tribal Higher Education Departments, go to https://aiss.unm.edu/scholarshipsfinancial-aid/tribal-resources.html.
As determined by respective tribal scholarship office.Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
The following documents will be required from most tribal scholarship offices:
1. Tribal Higher Education Application
2. Tribal Financial Need Analysis (FNA) completed and submitted by student to the UNM Financial Aid Office
3. Academic Transcripts
4. Letter of Admission. Majority of tribes request an official copy, check with your respective tribal higher education office for specific guidelines
5. Certificate of Indian Blood
6. Verification of Enrollment for continuing eligibility
Waiver of non-resident tuition rates for tribal students
Recipient pays New Mexico resident tuition rates (valued at approximately $17,053/year for the 2022-2023 year).
A member of an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that is located wholly or partially in New Mexico, regardless of the residence of the member prior to acceptance, is charged at resident rates. Applicants must submit a copy of Certificate of Indian Blood or Proof of Tribal Enrollment (at apply@unm.edu or PO Box 4895 Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895) by the 3rd Friday of the fall or spring semester
For more information on other scholarship opportunities, please visit the American Indian Student Services site.
