Financial Aid Concerns

Doing this will make sure your current classes will not be dropped. Payment plans need your signature so this can only be done through your myCNM account under the Cashier tab, or in person at a Cashier's Office. 

Learn more about setting up a payment plan.

It was likely due to one of three reasons:

1. Your overall GPA for all the terms you attended at CNM was less than 2.0.
2. Your average course completion rate was lower than 66.67%.
3. You have reached the 150% maximum number of credit hours that are allowed for your current major.

Learn more about the requirements of satisfactory academic progress (SAP).

If you had unusual circumstances, you can submit an appeal to keep your financial aid. If you are approved, you will have time to work on improving your situation. Follow these steps to complete the Financial Aid appeal form:

1. Watch this presentation. Answer the questions at the end and attach them to your appeal form.
2. Write a letter to Financial Aid stating what your degree is, what your goals are, that you understand why your aid was suspended (including a few sentences about why you received any grades of “F”, “W”, “INC”, no credit and/or audit) and what you’ll do to prevent it from happening again. 
3. Include a copy of your CNM unofficial transcripts. You can find them in your myCNM account or by stopping at the Records office.
4. Include any doctor’s notes or letters that speak on your behalf as evidence of difficult situations you have had to work through to go to school.
5. Please scan our documents and email them to [email protected].

It takes up to 10 business days to have it reviewed by your Financial Aid advisor and the committee. The decision will be posted on your myCNM account on the Financial Aid tab.

Learn more about the appeal process.

If you choose not to appeal, or your appeal is denied, you can still attend. In fact, students who lose their Financial Aid due to GPA or completion rate alone (or in combination) can earn their aid back by taking courses on their own and completing them until their cumulative GPAs are brought up.

Rust Opportunity Scholarship

Rust Opportunity Assistance Scholarship is for current students who are facing unexpected financial issues. Please contact an advisor to start and submit your application. You can get a letter of recommendation for this scholarship from Eric-Christopher Garcia or Sharon Gurule.

• Applications reviewed daily
• Awards made within 5-7 business days
• Not related to grades or need

CNM Foundation Scholarships

CNM offers many scholarships by CNM and the CNM Foundation. We have one online application to apply for over 50 scholarships. Fill out the online form today to see all the scholarships available to you.

• Scholarships can range from $400 to $2,500.
• You can qualify by your program, GPA, financial need and other factors
• If you need a letter of recommendation, we can help you! Contact an advisor for a letter.

CNM Connect Advantage Tuition Scholarship and Book Scholarship

Students who do not qualify for Financial Aid or other types of funding might also apply for the Connect Advantage and Book Scholarship.

The Connect Advantage Scholarship covers a portion of tuition and registration fees and can be renewed every semester.

• Must be a current student
• Talk to an advisor before September 4 to apply

The Book Scholarship covers a portion of book costs

• Must be a current student
• Talk to an advisor before August 21 to apply

You’ll get an email with the result of your scholarship application. Schedule your appointment with an advisor online today to apply!

• Parental abuse, neglect, abandonment, incarceration or institutionalization of both parents; 
• Job loss or change in employment; 
• One time income, such as a one-time withdrawal from a retirement account; 
• Divorce or separation not reflected on the FAFSA; 
• Death of a parent or spouse; 
• Change in student’s marital status after the completion of the FAFSA 

Examples of what CANNOT be considered: 

• Student demonstrating total self-sufficiency;

(Simply being 18 years old and on your own is NOT considered an unusual circumstance per Department of Education regulations.); 

• Parents unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA application or for Verification; 
• Parents not claiming the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; 
• Parents refusing to contribute to the student’s education; 
• Credit card, personal loans, or other consumer debt; 
• Expenses already included in the Cost of Attendance (COA); 
• Noneducational expenses; i.e., expenses related to pets, vacations, or extracurricular activities 

Students who are under the age of 24 are generally considered dependent and are required to use their parents’ (including step-parents') financial information unless they meet certain criteria. https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency 

A student may be considered independent if they are married, working on a master’s or doctorate program, have children or other dependents of their own, a veteran or active duty, emancipated, under legal guardianship, an orphan/ward of the court or have been determined to be homeless by a homeless liaison. https://studentaid.gov/help/student-homelessness-questions  

If you do not see your circumstances listed, you may still request an appointment with your financial aid advisor. 

If you feel your circumstance warrants review please contact our office. Email us at [email protected], call (505) 224-3090, or click the blue button in the lower right corner at the CNM Financial Aid Contact Page. 

Once all documentation requested has been received by your financial aid advisor, changes will need to be made through the Department of Education’s Financial Aid Administrator website and then downloaded back to CNM. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing time.