University of New Mexico Scholarships

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This page explains how scholarships actually work at the University of New Mexico (UNM)—in plain English for busy parents. We’ll cover real costs, where automatic money typically lands, which competitive awards are worth the effort, and smart stacking moves (including Honors).

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Need state grants/waivers (including the Lottery Scholarship)? Start here: New Mexico State Aid.

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of New Mexico (2025–26)

Before diving into scholarships, here’s the published cost of attendance for a full-time undergraduate living on campus at the University of New Mexico (UNM).

Cost Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees	$11,445	$34,594
Housing & Meals	$11,993	$11,993
Books, Supplies & Personal	$4,533	$4,540
Total Estimated Cost	$30,396	$53,545

📉 What Families Actually Pay
The average net price—what families pay after scholarships and grants, not including loans—for full-time students living on campus:

In-State: $7,295/year
Out-of-State (with aid): ≈ $13,000–$17,000/year

These averages include housing and meals and reflect aid packages most students receive. If your student qualifies for the Amigo Scholarship or a WUE award, out-of-state costs can drop to near in-state levels. 🎯 Use UNM’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

💡 State & Regional Aid:

Opportunity Scholarship (in-state): Covers tuition & fees for most New Mexico residents who meet GPA and credit benchmarks.
Amigo Scholarship: Out-of-state students with a 3.0 GPA + 23 ACT (1130 SAT) can pay in-state tuition (≈$17K savings per year).
WUE: Students from participating Western states pay 150% of in-state tuition. Academic criteria: 2.8 GPA or ACT 18 (SAT 960).
WUE Plus: Stronger students (3.0 GPA or ACT 20 / SAT 1030) pay the New Mexico resident rate—a major additional savings.

More details are in the Automatic Scholarships section or in our full WUE Guide.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

UNM awards several admission-based scholarships automatically—no extra forms required. Awards are based on GPA and test scores and can stack with the state-funded New Mexico Lottery Scholarship (after the first term). Western students may also qualify for WUE or WUE Plus discounts. Learn how WUE pricing works in our WUE Guide.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Amigo Scholarship	Out-of-state tuition offset (≈$17K/year)	3.0 GPA + 23 ACT (1130 SAT); mark UNM as First Choice	No	Yes, 4 years	Out-of-state admits who meet the GPA/test minimum and signal intent with First Choice
Lobo Pride Scholarship	$3,000–$8,000/year	3.0+ GPA; higher ACT/SAT yields larger award	No	Yes, 4 years	Solid B+/A− students; amount scales with stronger test scores
New Mexico Lottery Scholarship	Covers base tuition (after 1st semester)	In-state; complete 15+ credits in first term with 2.5 GPA	No	Yes, through graduation	Most full-time in-state students who keep up with credits and grades
WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)	Pays 150% of in-state tuition	2.8 cumulative HS GPA or ACT 18 (SAT 960); residency in a WUE state	No (admission-based)	Yes (see terms)	Western-state students meeting the minimum academics; strong value if Amigo isn’t secured
WUE Plus	Pays the New Mexico resident rate	3.0 cumulative HS GPA or ACT 20 (SAT 1030); residency in a WUE state	No (admission-based)	Yes (see terms)	Higher-achieving Western-state students who hit the stronger GPA/test mark

📌 What does “First Choice” mean for the Amigo? Students should mark UNM as their first-choice school on the Common App or UNM application. This signals intent and ensures consideration for the tuition offset.

🎯 Superscores Accepted: UNM lets your student combine best ACT or SAT section scores from different test dates. A retake can push them over a cutoff and improve aid.

Note: GPA and test score cutoffs above reflect UNM’s published guidelines and recent awards. Actual thresholds can shift each year based on funding and the applicant pool.

Automatic Scholarship FAQs

Do I need to apply separately?
No. These are awarded automatically with the admission application.

Can my student qualify test-optional?
GPA alone can qualify for some awards, but higher ACT/SAT scores usually bump the award amount.

Can the Lottery Scholarship stack with Amigo, WUE, or Lobo Pride?
Yes—UNM allows stacking. The Lottery Scholarship begins after the first semester for eligible in-state students.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships require a separate application or review process. Most are awarded to incoming freshmen through UNM’s Special Scholarships Application or directly from academic departments.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Regents’ Scholarship	Full tuition + stipend	ACT 32+ (SAT ≈1450) and 4.0 GPA; strong leadership & service record	Yes	Yes, 4 years	Only a handful of top applicants each year—usually students in the top 1–2% academically with major extracurriculars
Presidential Scholarship	Full tuition + partial fees	ACT 30+ (SAT ≈1360) and 3.8+ GPA	Yes	Yes, 4 years	High-achieving students who combine strong academics with a solid resume of activities and service
UNM Scholars Scholarship	$2,000–$5,000/year	ACT 27+ (SAT ≈1280) and GPA in the 3.5–3.8 range	Yes	Yes	Competitive applicants just below Presidential level—strong but not top-tier test scores

Note: GPA and test score ranges above are based on UNM’s published criteria and past recipient profiles. Actual cutoffs and award decisions can shift each year depending on the applicant pool and funding.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

When are the deadlines?
The Regents’ Scholarship usually requires applying by December 1. The Presidential Scholarship is typically due by February 1. Always confirm dates on the official UNM scholarship site.

Do I need essays or recommendation letters?
Yes—most competitive scholarships require at least one essay, a resume, and one or more letters of recommendation.

Can I apply for multiple competitive scholarships at once?
Yes. The Special Scholarships Application lets your student be considered for multiple awards at the same time. Some departmental or donor scholarships may still have their own process.

Do competitive scholarships stack with automatic awards?
In most cases, yes. Awards like the Regents or Presidential can stack with automatic scholarships such as Lobo Pride or Amigo, unless total aid exceeds the full cost of attendance.

How competitive are they?
Very. Regents winners are usually students with a 32+ ACT, 4.0 GPA, and strong leadership/service. Presidential typically goes to students with a 30+ ACT and near-perfect GPAs. Only a small fraction of applicants receive these awards.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These scholarships don’t always make the admissions pitch—but they’re real, stackable, and often under-applied for. If your student fits one of these categories, take a closer look.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Army ROTC Scholarship	Full tuition + stipend	ROTC cadets who meet GPA, fitness, and service requirements	Yes (via ROTC application)	Yes	Students committing to Army officer track; strong academics + physical fitness
Air Force ROTC Type 1	Full tuition + housing + books	Top seniors applying to AFROTC with GPA ~3.5+, ACT 28+/SAT 1300+	Yes (apply junior/senior year)	Yes	Very selective—only a few national winners each year
Department of Music Scholarships	$500–$4,000/year	Band, orchestra, or ensemble members; audition required	Yes (audition + music resume)	Yes	Talented musicians, often non-majors who commit to marching band or ensembles
College of Education Scholarships	$500–$2,000	Declared education majors; some awards need-based	Yes (after major declaration)	Varies	Students preparing for teaching careers; first-gen and need-based applicants often favored
UNM Foundation Scholarships	Varies	Criteria tied to donors—STEM, tribal affiliation, identity groups, etc.	Yes (via Special Scholarships App)	Varies	Students who match donor preferences; many go unclaimed if students don’t apply
TRIO Student Support Services	Grant amounts vary	First-generation or low-income undergraduates accepted into UNM TRIO SSS	Yes (TRIO application + eligibility verification)	Varies	First-gen or Pell-eligible students who engage with TRIO coaching, tutoring, and workshops
W.S. McIntosh Memorial Leadership Award	Typically $1,000–$3,000/year	Local New Mexico students with significant leadership and community service	Yes (essay + recommendation letters)	Yes	Students with strong community impact and leadership roles
Native American Student Services Scholarships	Varies ($500–full tuition)	Enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe, Pueblo, or Nation	Yes (via Native American Student Services)	Yes	Native American students who complete tribal documentation and apply through NASS

Hidden Gem Scholarship FAQs

Do you have to major in music to get a band scholarship?
No. Most UNM music scholarships are open to non-majors—as long as your student participates in the ensemble and commits to rehearsals and performances. Auditions are required.

Can ROTC scholarships stack with other UNM aid?
Usually, yes. ROTC aid covers tuition (and sometimes housing/books). Departmental and merit awards can often stack, as long as the total doesn’t exceed the cost of attendance.

Where do we find departmental scholarships?
Many are listed on college websites (for example, the Department of Music), and others are in the UNM Foundation’s donor database or appear after a major is declared.

What if we don’t qualify for big merit aid?
Hidden gems are perfect here. Even a $1,000 departmental or donor award can cut costs—and many go unused simply because students don’t know to apply.

Specialty Programs & National Strengths

UNM is a flagship R1 research university, meaning it’s among the campuses in the highest tier of doctoral research productivity — students get access to cutting-edge labs, real-world problem-solving, and opportunities. The Lobos shine in both health sciences and engineering, and the university brings talent and innovation to New Mexico’s classrooms, clinics, and communities.

Nationally Known For: UNM’s Nursing Midwifery graduate program ranks **#10 in the U.S.**, among the very best in the nation. (Yes—it’s an R1 institution.)

Engineering (graduate overall): Ranked among the top 100 nationally — the only New Mexico program to do so.
Earth Sciences: Ranked #46 in national doctorate programs.
History (grad doctorate): Ranked #48 nationally.
Behavioural & Social Sciences: Sociology #70, Political Science #81, English #89, Economics #100.
Online bachelor’s programs: Psychology #18; Business #41.
School of Law: Only law school in NM; ranked #94 (tie).
Medicine (Primary Care): #4 in the nation; Family Medicine #11; top for serving underserved/rural areas.

🎖 UNM Honors College

The University of New Mexico’s Honors College offers smaller classes, priority registration, and a close-knit learning community. It’s not about piling on extra work—it’s about more discussion, mentoring, and opportunities that help motivated students get more out of their college years.

🎓 Typical UNM Honors Student Profile

High school GPA: 3.7–4.0 range is common, but motivated 3.5+ students are competitive if they show strong writing and curiosity.
Test scores: ACT 27+ / SAT 1280+ (if submitted). Test-optional admits are also welcomed with strong grades and essays.
Interests: Students who enjoy discussion-based classes, research, and writing more than rote memorization.
Involvement: Band, student government, athletics, or community service—Honors students are usually engaged beyond the classroom.
Mindset: Curious, collaborative, and looking for mentoring and smaller seminar-style courses rather than just lecture halls.

Admission Process: Students may be invited to apply based on GPA or ACT/SAT, but admission is not automatic. A short application with an essay is required. Admitted students access exclusive courses, research grants, and travel opportunities.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Annual Honors Scholarships	$500–$1,000	Current Honors students in good standing	Yes	No (awarded annually)	Students already in Honors with solid course performance and engagement
Donor-Named Awards (e.g., Keleher Scholarship)	Varies	Outstanding Honors students; some awards also consider financial need	Yes	Some renewable	High-achieving Honors students who stand out in academics, service, or leadership

These scholarships are available after admission into Honors. Students typically receive reminders each spring to apply if eligible.

Honors College FAQs

Do Honors students live in a separate dorm?
Many choose the Honors Residential Community (also called the “Scholar’s Wing”). It’s optional but offers built-in academic and social support.

What are the biggest perks of being in Honors?
Priority registration, smaller seminar-style classes, faculty mentoring, and access to research and travel grants.

Is it harder or just different?
Courses emphasize discussion, critical thinking, and writing—not extra busywork. Many students prefer this format to large lectures.

When should we apply?
Ideally soon after submitting the main UNM application—by early spring of senior year. Early acceptance helps with housing and scholarship access.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

At the University of New Mexico, the numbers on the price tag rarely tell the full story. Between automatic aid like the Amigo and Lottery Scholarships, regional discounts through WUE, and competitive awards like the Regents’, families often pay far less than the published cost. Add in hidden gems like band and TRIO support, plus the tight-knit Honors College, and UNM can be both an affordable and enriching option—especially for first-generation students or those looking for big opportunities without the big-city price. If your student is curious, motivated, and ready to get involved, UNM offers a lot of value for the investment.

✅ Last updated: August 27, 2025