Applying for the Opportunity Scholarship:

Opportunity does not require an application!

• Any student deemed eligible is awarded the Opportunity Scholarship automatically beginning their first term at UNM.
• Transfer students may need to submit a New Mexico Scholarship Transfer Transcript (NMSTT) completed by their previous NM institution before they can be awarded.

Opportunity Scholarship has two types of eligible learners:

• Recent Graduate Learner - You are considered a recent graduate learner for state scholarships if:
  • You graduated from a New Mexico high school within the past 16 months, or
  • You received a high school equivalency credential while maintaining residency in New Mexico, or
  • You received a home school registration certificate from the New Mexico Public Education Department, and
  • You have not yet earned your first bachelor’s degree.
• Returning Learner - You are considered a returning student for state scholarships if:
  • You are a New Mexico resident.
  • You are 18 years old or older.
  • You are enrolling in college more than 16 months after graduating from high school, attaining a high school equivalency credential, or receiving a home school certificate.
  • You have not yet earned your first bachelor’s degree and you do not have more than 160 attempted credit hours on your transcript from previous college attendance.
  • You do not fit the criteria for being a recent high school graduate.

 Qualifying for the Opportunity Scholarship:

To qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship as a Recent Graduate Learner:

• Enroll full time at a New Mexico public college or university within 16 months of high school graduation, or completion of a high school equivalency or home school certificate.
• Maintain NM Residency
• Maintain Lottery Scholarship eligibility (also referred to as Lottery Track), which includes:
  • Successfully complete at least twelve credit hours with a semester GPA of 2.5 or better in the first term of college, the Qualifying Semester.
  • Student MUST successfully complete 30 credits hours per academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer).
  • Achieve and maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA).
  • Maintain full-time enrollment every fall and spring semesters*.
  • Cannot have more than 160 attempted credit hours
  • Opportunity capped at 18 credits per term

To qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship as a Returning Learner:

• You cannot be a “Recent Graduate Learner” (defined above)
• Cannot have earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral Degree
• Must maintain NM Residency
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours*
• Earn a 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Cannot have more than 160 attempted credit hours
• Opportunity capped at 18 credits per term

*Please note that students with disabilities may qualify for reduced credit hour requirements and additional semesters of the scholarship.

If ALL the above requirements are NOT met a student is NOT eligible to receive the New Mexico Legislative Opportunity Scholarship. Only exceptional mitigating circumstances that are beyond the student's control and precluded the student from meeting the requirements during their Qualifying Semester can be considered and will require the submission of a Scholarship Petition with supporting documentation. See the section below about Regaining Eligibility for Opportunity. 

Initial Award and Amount of Award:

• 100% Tuition Fees Covered
• Covers full tuition, mandatory fees and course fees up to $50/credit hour
• Tuition differential or other non tuition charges not covered
• For Recent Graduate Learners: Opportunity applies after “bridge” or other institutional scholarships during 1st semester

Maintaining your Opportunity Scholarship:

To remain eligible to receive the Opportunity Scholarship a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

Recent Graduate Learners must also meet the minimum requirements to maintain their Lottery Scholarship in order to remain eligible for the Lottery Scholarship; which includes fulltime enrollment and 30 credit hours by the end of the academic year.

How long can I receive the Opportunity Scholarship?

• You can receive Opportunity up to 160 attempted credit hours
• Dual credit hours excluded from attempted hours not excluded from GPA or associate’s degree
• There is no grandfathering clause

Students with Disabilities:

Students with qualified disabilities who are registered with UNM’s Accessibility Resource Center may be approved to attend for less credit hours. All other Opportunity requirements remain the same.

Consortium Agreement:

Students can maintain full time enrollment by taking classes at multiple public New Mexico secondary educational institutions. The Opportunity Scholarship will be adjusted to pay tuition accrued at UNM and tuition accrued at the host school.

Summer Opportunity Awards:

• May enroll for summer and receive Opportunity to cover summer tuition
• Any credits hours attempted in summer count towards 160 attempted hours limit.
• 9 credit hours maximum and 3 credit hours minimum

Deadlines

These must be submitted by end of the third week of the semester:

• Accessibility Resource Center Waivers
• Scholarship Petition
• Consortium Agreements

*Any disbursements after the add/drop period for the applicable term, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Regaining Eligibility:

Scholarship Petitions: Students can also re-establish eligibility if an exceptional mitigating circumstance which precluded the student from completing the requirements exists. To do so, students MUST submit a Scholarship Petition with a personal statement explaining the mitigating circumstance. Supporting documentation must also be submitted.

Leave of Absence/Exception to Continuing Eligibility:

Previously qualified students may be approved for a leave of absence for cooperative education, military obligations, participation in a study abroad program, or other exceptional mitigating circumstance. A Petition for Leave of Absence with supporting documentation must be submitted to UNM’s Student Financial Aid Office for consideration. Students will be emailed once a decision is made or if additional documentation is needed.

****NOTE: Information contained in this document is subject to change. All information pertaining to the NM Legislative Opportunity Success Scholarship is subject to Legislature change.****