The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship provides tuition and required fees assistance for eligible students who are New Mexico residents pursuing a training certificate, associate degree, and/or a bachelor’s degree at a New Mexico public college or university.
The Opportunity Scholarship will be awarded each academic year for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters as long as the funding is available from the State of New Mexico. Contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible if you think you meet the eligibility criteria and have not been awarded the Opportunity Scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a New Mexico resident.
- Have a high school or GED diploma.
- 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.
- Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Be in good financial aid standing by meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- SFCC strongly suggests completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for scholarship eligibility. Please visit with the Financial Aid Office if you choose not to complete the FAFSA.
NOTE: NM Lottery and Opportunity Scholarship are combined to pay tuition and fees for recent NM high school graduates. Recent high school graduates must maintain NM Lottery eligibility to receive Opportunity Scholarship. If a student loses NM Lottery, they can petition for reinstatement of the Opportunity Scholarship no sooner than two-years following the end of the semester when NM Lottery eligibility was lost.
What does it cover?
The Opportunity Scholarship is combined with other state grants and scholarships to cover up to 100% of tuition and required fees at any New Mexico public college or university.
How to apply:
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.
Duration of Scholarship:
The opportunity scholarship may continue for an eligible student for up to 90 credit hours or at the completion of an associates degree at SFCC. The scholarship may be renewed each semester based on meeting the continuing eligibility.
NOTE: 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. If you have questions, please contact our office at finaid@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1268.
