State Aid

The New Mexico's State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) is a need-based, state funded grant that does not have to be repaid.

SSIG is a limited fund that is awarded to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. SSIG awards are adjusted based on the student’s SAI from their FAFSA.

The Legislative Lottery Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship) is a non-need based, state funded scholarship that does not have to be repaid.

Initial Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a resident of New Mexico

• Must have graduated from a public or accredited-private New Mexico high school

• Must enroll full-time at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution within sixteen months of high school graduation

  • If the student enrolls at ANY out of state institution or private in-state institution the student shall forfeit eligibility

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

• Must maintain continuous enrollment in at least 9 credit hours, each Fall and Spring term AFTER the student's first, full-time semester

• Must complete at least 24 credit hours each award year

• Must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA)

Award Information

• AFTER the student's first, full-time semester, the Lottery Scholarship will be awarded for 100% of tuition charges

• The Opportunity Scholarship will cover course-specific fees

• The Lottery Scholarship can only be awarded up to 3 Fall/Spring semesters at Luna Community College

• Can be awarded for Summer courses

Losing Eligibility

If the student fails to meet any of the Eligibility Criteria outlined above, the student will lose both the Lottery and Opportunity Scholarship. After two years, the student may regain eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship and would follow the Opportunity Scholarship Pathway.

The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship (NMOS) is a non-need based, state funded scholarship that does not have to be repaid.

Initial Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a resident of New Mexico

• Must have graduated from high school, or equivalent

• Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours

• Must be pursuing a program of study in a "high demand" field, as determined by NM Department of Workforce Solutions

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

• Must complete at least 6 credit hours each term enrolled

• Must maintain continuous enrollment in each Fall and Spring term, Summer is optional

• Must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA)

• Must not have earned a bachelor's degree or higher

Award Information

• Will be awarded for 100% of tuition charges and course-specific fees

• Can be awarded for Summer courses

• Can be awarded to pursue ONLY ONE associate degree

• Can no longer be awarded once the student has attempted 90 credit hours

Losing Eligibility

A student who fails to meet the Continuing Eligibility Criteria will lose the Opportunity Scholarship for a period of two years. After that time, the student may regain eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship.

The purpose of this award is to encourage eligible New Mexico students to attend and complete an accredited public education department approved teacher preparation program at Luna Community College. The scholarship is intended to help cover the educational expenses charged by LCC including tuition, fees, books and course supplies and living expenses. The Teacher Affordability Preparation (TPRP) is a need-based, state funded scholarship that does not have to be repaid.

How do I qualify?

• Students must be a New Mexico resident

• Be enrolled in a teacher preparation program and is pursuing a teaching degree at any time later than 120 days following high school graduation (or equivalent)

• Has not already earned appropriate educational credentials to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department

• Demonstrates financial need, according to the FAFSA

How do I apply?

Students are identified by the Director of LCC's Education Department. Eligibility is then determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

How much is awarded?

The award amount is based on LCC's allocation from the state, how many students qualify for the given semester, and the amount of demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. The award amount will not exceed $6,000 in a single academic year.

New Mexico Work Study (NMWS) is a need-based, state funded, self-help award. Awarded students would earn these funds through working part-time in a work study position through LCC. Earned work study funds never have to be repaid.

Who is eligible for NMWS?

• Must demonstrate financial need

• Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester

• Must be a resident of New Mexico

• Awarded as long as funds are available

• Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress

How do students receive NMWS funds?

NMWS is not disbursed to student accounts/applied to LCC charges like other financial aid. Students must apply for and be hired for a work study position. As students work, they will earn NMWS funds as a paycheck.

What is the NMWS process?

1. Students will be notified on their LCC Student Portal, if they are eligible.

2. Students must apply for a work study position. Postings can be found on Luna's Workday Careers website.

3. Students who are hired, must go through the normal hiring process with their supervisor and HR.

4. Students can begin working and earning their work study funds.

The purpose of the Nursing Loan-For-Service is to increase the number of nurses in areas of the state which have experienced shortages by making educational loans to students entering nursing programs. As a condition of each loan, the student shall declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico. For every year of service provided in a designated shortage area within New Mexico, a portion of the loan will be forgiven. If the entire service agreement is fulfilled, 100% of the loan is eligible for forgiveness. Penalties will be assessed if the service agreement is not satisfied.

The Nursing Loan-For-Service is a state funded, need-based loan that must be repaid, except in cases where the state determines the entire service agreement has been fulfilled.

How do I qualify?

• New Mexico Resident (12 consecutive months)

• Official Acceptance into a nursing program at a New Mexico public college or university

• Enrolled at least half-time

• Demonstrate financial need (meeting all FAFSA & SAP requirements)

• Student must declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico

How do I apply?

• Student shall complete the FAFSA

• Complete the Loan-For-Service Application

• Submit the complete application packet to the New Mexico Higher Education Department via email

• Current program recipients will need to apply each year for funding

Deadlines

Application Opens: May 15

Application Closes: July 1

For more information visit: Nursing Loan-for-Service Program | NM Higher Education Department | NM Higher Education Department