State Grants & Scholarships

State grants are provided by the state of New Mexico and are considered priority need-based aid. Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA by March 31, Mesalands priority deadline, annually to maintain maximum eligibility for state-based grants. State grants are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

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College Affordability Grant (CAG)

The CAG program is to encourage undergraduate students, who are New Mexico residents, with financial need and who do not qualify for other state grants or scholarships, to attend and complete educational programs at a New Mexico public college or university. CAG Grants are funded by the State of New Mexico and are available on a first come first served basis.

The amount of your awards depends on:

When you applied and completed your FAFSA application
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – your financial need based on the FAFSA application
Status as a full-time or part-time student
The availability of funds

Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for a CAG Grant.

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New Mexico Student Incentive Grant (SSIG)

The SSIG program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students, who are New Mexico residents, finance the cost of postsecondary education. SSIG Grant are funded by the State of New Mexico and are available on a first come first served basis. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

The amount of your award depends on:

When you applied and completed your FAFSA application
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – your financial need based on the FAFSA application
Status as a full-time or part-time student
The availability of funds

Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for a SSIG Grant.

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New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship will pay a portion of tuition (up to an undergraduate degree) for students who meet the eligibility criteria listed below. Eligibility:

Student must be a resident of New Mexico.
Student must have completed high school at a public or accredited private New Mexico high school, graduated from a public or accredited private New Mexico high school or received a high school equivalency credential while maintaining residency in New Mexico.
Student must enroll at a public post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico within sixteen months of graduation or receipt of a high equivalency credential.
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.

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. 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. The scholarship may then be transferred to a four-year institution for an additional four (4) semesters until the award recipient has received a total of seven (7) semesters of scholarship awards.

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State Work-Study

The New Mexico Work Study Program was created to provide funding for employment opportunities for qualified resident students attending New Mexico public colleges or universities. The award varies depending upon the student’s financial need and availability of funds.