FAQ: NEW MEXICO
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
Yes, you will need to demonstrate continuous
progress toward your certicate or degree. If a
documented disability or mitigating circumstance
interferes with this requirement, the nancial aid
ofce at your college or university can explore
options with you to maintain future eligibility.
If I do not meet the credit hour or
cumulative GPA requirements, can I
reestablish my eligibility?
If you have not previously received the Opportunity
Scholarship, you may be able to establish eligibility
and begin receiving the scholarship. However, you
must maintain eligibility to continue receiving it.
I need to withdraw. Can I
receive the scholarship again in the
future?
If you withdraw, you will not be eligible to
continue receiving the scholarship. However,
your college or university may be able to work
with you if you experience a hardship
affecting your eligibility. Please contact the
for maintaining eligibility.
Does this program require me to enroll
each consecutive semester?
Can I use the scholarship to go to school
in the summer?
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I still receive
this scholarship?
New Mexico residency is required to be
eligible for the New Mexico Opportunity
Scholarship, but United States citizenship is
not a requirement for this particular
scholarship.
How do I establish New Mexico residency for
purposes of qualifying for state scholarship
programs like the Opportunity Scholarship?
To be considered a New Mexico resident for state
scholarship eligibility, you must be able to prove
that you have lived in New Mexico for the past 12
consecutive months. There are limited exceptions
for Tribal members, active members of the armed
services, and others. You can review complete res-
idency requirements on our website at hed.state.
nm.us.
Yes! The Opportunity Scholarship can be used to
cover the cost of tuition and required fees
associated with courses leading to your certicate
or degree taken during the summer semester.
You will need to enroll in at least three credit
hours.
What certicate programs qualify?
Students enrolled in certain certicate
programs leading to careers in high-need elds
including healthcare, education, STEM, and
technical trades are eligible to receive the
Opportunity Scholarship. The Higher Education
Department will work with the Department of
Workforce Solutions to release a list of eligible
programs each year.
scholarship?
As long as you continue to enroll in at least six
credit hours per semester and are progressing
toward an approved training certicate,
associate degree, or bachelor’s degree and
maintain a 2.5 GPA, you can continue to
receive the scholarship. If you are pursuing an
associate degree, you can continue to receive
the scholarship up to your rst associate
degree or completion of 90 credit hours,
whichever comes rst. If you are pursuing a
bachelor’s degree, you can receive the
scholarship up to your rst bachelor’s degree
or 160 credit hours completed, whichever
comes rst.
I am a NM resident, but I plan to enroll at
an out-of-state institution. Is the
scholarship transferable out of state?
to New Mexico residents enrolled in New
Mexico public colleges and universities. It is
not transferable to out-of-state institutions.
NEW MEXICO
HIGHER EDUCATION
Fostering Student Success from Cradle to Career
DEPARTMENT