New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship covers a portion of tuition for recent NM high school graduates and/or equivalency for New Mexico residents who meet eligibility and are pursuing a training certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree at a New Mexico public college or university.

Scholarship Information

The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship encourages New Mexico high school graduates and New Mexico high school equivalency credential recipients to enroll full-time and complete a two-year degree within four terms or a four-year degree within eight terms. The Lottery covers a portion of tuition up to the maximum award which is determined by the New Mexico State Legislature. There is no application required for the Lottery Scholarship. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the Scholarship will be awarded. Effective 2024 – 2025 academic year, the Lottery scholarship may be awarded in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

The Legislative Lottery Scholarship will be awarded starting in the second term of attendance to students who have met all Eligibility and Qualifying Term requirements.

Specialty Programs will not be covered at 100%, per NMHED.

Qualifying Term

The first regular term of full-time attendance within 15 months following high school graduation or receipt of a high school equivalency credential requirements is the Qualifying Term. Recent graduates or high school equivalency recipients will have up to 15 months from the date they receive their high school credential to begin their post-secondary education and complete their Qualifying Term. 

  • Complete at least 12 credit hours in the Qualifying Term at CNM. Total credits completed include college level courses of 1000 or higher, and developmental classes of 0970 or higher.
  • Earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in the Qualifying Term. Students must complete at least one traditional letter grade class to establish their GPA in the Qualifying Term. GPA is calculated on grades earned in all classes 1000 or higher with traditional letter grades. Credits completed with a grade of CR will be counted only in the total number of credit hours earned and will not establish or affect GPA.

Eligibility Requirements

New Mexico residents who have established residency and attended a New Mexico secondary educational institution for at least one year, regardless of immigration status, and meet all below listed criteria are eligible.

  • Receive a diploma from a New Mexico public or accredited private high school, completed requirements as a home-schooled student registered with the New Mexico Public Education Department, or received a high school equivalency credential recognized by the state of New Mexico while maintaining residency in New Mexico.
  • Please submit an official high school diploma, transcript, or PED homeschool registration after graduation, as this is a requirement for the Lottery and Opportunity scholarships.
    • You can submit this documentation to CNM by email or bring it to CNM.
  • Be admitted to CNM as a New Mexico resident with an accurate graduation date recorded.
  • Declare a financial aid eligible major.
  • Have not earned an associate’s degree or have another scholarship that pays 100% of tuition.
  • Must be enrolled full-time. This would mean at least 12 credit hours per fall and spring term, and 24 credit hours within the academic school year.

Continuing Eligibility

Eligibility can be maintained for up to 3 terms at CNM by completing at least 24 credit hours within the academic year and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. Cumulative GPA is the average of all traditional letter grades, A, B, C, D, and F. Credits completed with a grade of CR will be counted only in the total number of credit hours earned and will not establish or affect GPA. Grades of F, NC, I, W, and AU do not count towards total credit hours completed.

Duration of Eligibility

At CNM, a recipient may be awarded Lottery until they receive three (3) terms or an associate’s degree whichever comes first. Students who maintain eligibility can transfer the Lottery to a four-year institution and may be eligible for a total of up to seven terms.

Students with Disabilities

Students with a qualified disability who are registered with Accessibility Services may be approved to attend and complete a reduced number of credits (6-11 credits) for up to seven terms at CNM, one additional term for each term that a Full Time Waiver is used. If a reduced number of credits is determined appropriate, a new waiver is required each term and must be on file within 30 days of the start of the term. If a reduced number of credits is determined appropriate, a new waiver is required each term and must be on file within 30 days of the start of the term. All other Lottery requirements remain the same.

Probationary Status

Currently, we are accepting Fall 2024 Opportunity appeals. Summer 2024 appeals are closed and are no longer being reviewed.

You can apply for probationary status if you cannot meet Lottery requirements because of an exceptional mitigating circumstance beyond your control or have been on Active Military Duty. Fill out the Request for Probationary Status form, attach the required documentation, then submit it to [email protected] for review. Please contact Scholarship Services for more information. Incomplete probationary requests will not be reviewed.

Financial need is not a consideration for the Lottery. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required but is recommended by CNM.

Transfer Students

  • You must submit to CNM a New Mexico Scholarship Transfer Transcript, to be completed by the institution from which you are transferring.
  • You must meet all eligibility requirements listed above.
  • All transcripts from prior colleges will need to be submitted to be reviewed for eligibility.

Transferring the Lottery Scholarship From CNM

The Legislative Lottery Scholarship can be transferred to other New Mexico state institutions. To transfer your scholarship, please complete the New Mexico Scholarship Transfer Transcript Form.

Please allow 7-10 business days for processing after final grades for the current semester post.

Please visit our Lottery Scholarship Information page for additional information regarding the New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship. 

Calculate Your Qualifying Term

Resources

New Mexico high school graduates or New Mexico high school equivalency recipients will have up to 15 months from the date you receive your high school credential to begin your post-secondary education and complete your Qualifying Term.

Calculate Your Qualifying Term

Information contained on this webpage is subject to change. All information about the NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship is subject to New Mexico Legislative change.