Grants

Grants are awarded based on need as determined by your FAFSA and do not have to be paid back. These include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant ( SSEOG) and the State Student Incentive Grant ( SSIG). In order to be eligible for SEOG and SSIG, students must have their FAFSA in by January 6.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded on a variety of criteria. Some are need based, but nearly all have certain academic requirements, such as GPA, course of study, and course load. Please see our scholarships section below for more information.

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Student Employment/Work Study

Work Study positions are available at UNM-LA. Students need to complete a FAFSA and check off the option that they are interested in work study. If you have questions, please make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office.

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Loans

Loans are available for students or parents to borrow to help pay educational expenses. Students must have a FAFSA submitted in order to be considered for these federal loans. The amount of eligibility is determined by grade level.

Repayment usually begins 6 months after graduation. There are 3 types of loans:

• Subsidized– No interest accrues while in school
• Unsubsidized– interest accrues immediately
• Parent Loan– PLUS– up to COA, credit based, parents only apply.

UNM Los Alamos Students must submit a Federal Direct Loan request in order to receive loans. Please make an appointment with the financial aid advisor to learn more. After your loan request is approved, you will need to go to https://studentaid.gov and complete your:

• Pre-loan counseling
• Master Promissory Note.

Your loan WILL NOT be disbursed until these are completed.

To apply for a student loan, please click this link. You can submit this request electronically or find paper copes outside the Financial Aid Office.

Finding the right type of financial aid for you is made easy with some basic information.

The first step to receiving all types of Federal Financial Aid, including grants, loans, and work study, is to complete the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the application used to apply for Federal, State and some institutional financial aid. Students must complete the FAFSA every year. UNM's priority date for completing the FAFSA is January 6. That means students who completed the FAFSA by January 6 are considered first for some types of limited grants.. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA on the web as soon as possible after January 1 of each year.

Our FAFSA School Code is 002663 – This is for ALL UNM campuses.

Once your FAFSA has been received by UNM, you will need to submit any missing requirements. These are listed on your Financial Aid tab in LoboWeb.

You can check the status of your financial aid, see and complete file requirements, and apply for loans all through your LoboWeb account.

• Log into myUNM using your NetID and Password
• Click the “Student Life” Tab
• Click “Enter LoboWeb”
• Click the “Financial Aid” tab at the top of the page
• Complete information, including your Cost of Attendance and your Estimated Family Contribution (as determined by your FAFSA) can be seen here.

Any grant, scholarship, work-study, or loan awards can be seen and managed through your Financial Aid Tab. You can even accept a loan offer in LoboWeb.

There are a variety of scholarships available to UNM-LA students as listed here, or download the complete 2025-2026 list.

Scholarship List (English)

Lista de Becas (Español)

 

Your scholarship application packet must include:

• A complete a UNM-LA Scholarship Application.
  • English
  • Español
    
    
• A letter of intent to the Scholarship Committee specifying which scholarships they wish to be considered for and how the scholarship will help them achieve their goals.
  
  
• An unofficial transcript.

Incomplete packets will not be considered. Submit complete packets to the Financial Aid Office.

NO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REQUIRED. Scholarship will be automatically awarded based on qualification requirements. Only awarded the first semester after graduation or GED. The award amount is $984.00 (amount is subject to change) Additional tuition costs and fees are students' responsibility. Students must meet the following qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Graduate from NM High School or GED
• Minimum 2.5 GPA/GED/HiSet equivalent
• Admitted in a degree or certificate program at UNM-Los Alamos
• Must be enrolled FULL TIME (12+ CR)
• Fall applicants must have graduated or completed GED Spring semester of same year. Spring applicants must have graduated or completed GED in preceding Fall semester
• Must provide high school/ GED transcript and college transcript with UNM-LA admissions application
• ONE SEMESTER ONLY

NO APPLICATION REQUIRED. Scholarship will be automatically awarded based on qualification requirements

Eligibility Requirements:

• Student must be a resident of New Mexico. Student must have graduated from a public or accredited private New Mexico 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.
• Student must enroll full-time at a public post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico within sixteen months of graduation or receipt of a high equivalency credential and maintain continuous full-time enrollment. First time enrollment within the sixteen-month period following graduation must be at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution. If the student enrolls full-time at ANY out of state institution or private in-state institution the student shall forfeit eligibility.
• Student must enroll in and earn 15 credit hours per semester at a four-year New Mexico public university.
• Student must enroll in and earn 12 credit hours per semester at a two-year New Mexico public community college.
• Student must maintain a 2.5 or greater cumulative grade point average (GPA) each semester of enrollment.

Students with disabilities may qualify for reduced credit hour requirements and additional semesters of the scholarship.

Award:

A flat award based on the type of institution the student attends (Research; Comprehensive; or Community College). NMHED will notify institutions of the award for the upcoming academic year by June 1.

Duration: The initial scholarship shall begin with the second semester of enrollment at a public post-secondary educational institution. Thereafter, the scholarship is renewed on a per-semester basis subject to maintaining eligibility. Students must remain consecutively enrolled each fall and spring semester to maintain eligibility for the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed at a four-year institution until the award recipient has received seven (7) semesters of scholarship awards or until the student graduates with a bachelor's degree, whichever is sooner. Students attending a community college are eligible for three (3) semesters of scholarship awards. The student should contact their public post-secondary educational institution's financial aid advisor for eligibility verification if they have met the first semester eligibility requirements listed above.

NO APPLICATION REQUIRED. Provides tuition and fee assistance for students enrolled in 2-year programs, including credit-bearing certificate or associate degree programs in a public institution of higher education or Tribal Colleges in New Mexico. Recent high school graduate and returning adult learners are eligible for this scholarship.

The scholarship covers any gap in tuition and fees owed by a student after other forms of state aid, such as the NM Lottery Scholarship, are applied. Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees.

Criteria for consideration varies.See NMHED for more information.

Opportunity Scholarship Brochure

The HED Incentive to Compete Scholarship has been set up as a retention scholarship to assist current STEMH students finish their degree program. There will be two student awards per year. The award amount will be $1200 annually.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrolled in a STEMH degree program at UNM-Los Alamos
• Must have already earned 24 credit hours
• Enrolled full-time (12-18 credit hours)
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

To assist students who plan to earn a Bachelor's Degree with emphasis on teaching math, science or engineering. Preference given to students enrolled in teaching, math, engineering or science degrees. This scholarship pays $400 per semester and can be awarded up to 4 semesters.

For the purpose of assisting non-traditional students to earn an Associate's Degree. Open to any major. Students must be enrolled at least half time. This scholarship can be awarded up to 4 semesters and covers students' tuition and fees.

For students enrolled in a fine arts or arts and sciences degree program (Studio Art or Liberal Arts). Scholarship covers tuition and fees.

For students enrolled in the Liberal Arts program. Applicants must have previous college or HS GPA of 3.5 or higher or an ACT composite score of 25+. This scholarship covers tuition and fees.

Open to any degree program and covers $250 per semester. Students need to be admitted to UNM-Los Alamos immediately after GED/HiSet or high school completion, have completed GED/HiSet or high school in New Mexico, live within Rio Arriba, Los Alamos or Santa Fe County. High school GPA of 3.0, ACT composite of 20+ or SAT of 650+. Preference is given to women and financial need. Must complete a FAFSA. Beginning freshmen preferred.

Open only to beginning freshmen with a 3.25 or higher high school GPA or a 22 ACT composite score (or SAT equivalent). This scholarship is awarded for the FALL SEMESTER ONLY in the amount of $500.

For students in the Liberal Arts or Southwest Studies. Covers tuition and fees.

Open to beginning freshmen only, in any degree program. Must be US citizens. Applicants must be admitted to UNM-LA the semester following HS graduation or GED completion. Must have attended NM HS or GED. Must live in Rio Arriba, Los Alamos or Santa Fe Counties. Covers a portion of tuition (portion the Bridge does not). Covers FALL SEMESTER ONLY.

For students enrolled in the Liberal Arts. Covers tuition and fees for up to 4 semesters.

LANL Career Pathways Scholarship

Career Pathways Scholars are focused and determined, with a clear vision of the career or trade they intend to pursue. These scholars are highly motivated to gain the skills and credentials needed to enter the workforce in their career of choice, with the primary goal of improving quality of life for themselves, their family and their community. This scholarship supports high school seniors and those with a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) in pursuit of a 2-year degree, trade or certificate.

Career Pathways Scholarships are $750 awards per semester up to $3,000 total. Renewal is dependent upon remaining in good academic standing and making progress toward completion.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in a two-year degree program or certificate program.
• Must be a permanent resident (366 consecutive days+) of Northern New Mexico in Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, or Taos County by the time of application.
• Must have received a high school diploma or GED, or:
  • be near completion of a GED/HSE program
  • be a high school senior currently enrolled in your final semester of high school.
• Strong applications in any area of study will be considered.

Learn how to apply.

The Horatio Alger Association’s Career & Technical Scholarship is designed for individuals who have faced and overcome significant adversity and are working toward a career or technical education certificate or degree.

This need-based award recognizes those who demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and a strong commitment to building a successful future through career-focused training.

Eligible individuals with financial need who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a career or technical program at a not-for-profit institution should consider applying.

Each year, the Association awards scholarships of up to $2,500 to support tuition, tools, supplies, and other program-related expenses.

Learn More