Unveiling the UNM Amigo Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities
The University of New Mexico (UNM) provides a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to support students in achieving their academic goals. Among these, the International Amigo Scholarship stands out as a prestigious award designed to make education more accessible for international students. This article delves into the specifics of the Amigo Scholarship, outlining its requirements, benefits, and related opportunities.
General Scholarships at UNM
UNM administers a diverse array of endowed scholarships aimed at supporting undergraduate students on the main campus. These scholarships recognize hard work, dedication to educational goals, academic excellence, and leadership qualities.
Selection Process for General Scholarships
It's important to note that there isn't a specific application for these general scholarships. The selection process relies on data collected from admissions files, registrar records, and information provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The International Amigo Scholarship
The International Amigo Scholarship is UNM's most prestigious scholarship for international students holding non-immigrant visas. It grants recipients the resident, in-state tuition rate, significantly reducing the financial burden of studying in the United States. This scholarship can save students over $15,000 per year, effectively allowing them to pay the same tuition rate as New Mexico residents. All eligible undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship; no separate application is needed.
Eligibility Criteria for the Amigo Scholarship
To be considered for the International Amigo Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
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- Admission to a Full-Time Program: Applicants must be admitted to a full-time undergraduate program at UNM. Note that Managed Online Programs are not eligible.
- Non-Immigrant Visa Status: Preference is given to students holding F-1 or J-1 student visas.
- No Prior Attendance at UNM: Applicants should not have previously attended UNM at the same degree level for which they are now applying.
- Grade Requirements: To be eligible for the International Amigo Scholarship, students need to have a 3.5 GPA on a U.S. scale in upper secondary/high school coursework OR a 3.0 GPA on a U.S. scale AND either an ACT score of 26 OR an SAT score of 1240 OR a 3.25 GPA of with at least 30 credits of university-level transferable coursework.
Renewal Criteria for the Amigo Scholarship
The International Amigo Scholarship can be renewed for up to four years for freshman applicants and two years for transfer applicants. To maintain the scholarship, students must:
- Maintain enrollment in 15 new credit hours each semester (excluding repeated courses).
- Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester.
- Comply with renewal requirements.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in the scholarship not being renewed. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to all requirements for maintaining the International Amigo Scholarship.
Other Scholarships
- Leadership Scholarship: For undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA in upper secondary/high school coursework. Requirements include a first-semester, 1-credit GEO "Academic Success" course.
- Beca Mexico: Open to citizens of Mexico with a 2.5 GPA.
Students are automatically considered for the highest value scholarship for which they are eligible. Scholarships cannot be combined; students will only be offered one scholarship.
Priority Application Deadlines
- Fall Admission: February 15th
- Spring Admission: September 15th
To ensure consideration, all application materials, including transcripts and English language scores, should be received by these dates. Applications may still be considered after the deadline, depending on availability.
Cost of Attendance at UNM
Understanding the cost of attendance is crucial for prospective students. The following provides an overview of the average costs for the 2026-2027 academic year. However, actual costs may vary due to specific course fees or related expenses.
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Estimated Cost for International Freshmen and Transfer Students (Full-Time, 12+ Hours Per Year)
| Expense | Attendance with Amigo Scholarship | Attendance with Leadership Scholarship | Attendance without Scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $12,025 | $23,148 | $35,173 |
| Room & Board | $11,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| Books & Supplies | $975 | $975 | $975 |
| Transportation | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous & Health Insurance | $2,750 | $2,750 | $2,750 |
| Total | $28,750 | $39,873 | $51,898 |
Estimated Cost for International Masters and Doctoral Students (Full-Time, 9+ Hours Per Year)
| Expense | International Student with Amigo Scholarship | International Student without Amigo Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $10,949 | $25,241 |
| Room & Board | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| Books & Supplies | $975 | $975 |
| Transportation | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous & Health Insurance | $2,750 | $2,750 |
| Total | $27,474 | $41,966 |
International students receiving an F-1 or J-1 visa must demonstrate available funding for one full year's cost of attendance before immigration documents are issued.
Additional Financial Aid Opportunities
Besides the Amigo Scholarship, international graduate students can explore assistantships within their departments. These assistantships offer financial support and work experience, potentially covering a significant portion of the cost of attendance.
Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are competitive financial and work opportunities for graduate students, including:
- Teaching Assistantships: Assisting professors with teaching duties.
- Research Assistantships: Participating in research projects.
- Graduate Assistantships: Providing general support to academic departments.
- Project Assistantships: Working on specific projects related to the student's field of study.
Assistantships provide an hourly wage or monthly stipend. Those lasting more than half the semester also include health insurance. Students working at least 10 hours per week may qualify for in-state tuition rates. Some assistantships may also cover tuition and fees.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
UNM students can also explore external scholarship opportunities to fund their studies:
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- Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: For U.S. citizens receiving a Federal Pell Grant.
- Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship: For dependents of active U.S. military personnel.
- Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program: An immersive summer program for learning languages critical to U.S. engagement with the world.
- Goldwater Scholarship: For undergraduate study in STEM fields.
- Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities: For students studying in Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program: For students studying modern foreign languages and international studies.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Many UNM students utilize a combination of financial aid, scholarships, and personal funds to study abroad. UNM offers various study abroad scholarships:
- API Connect Scholarships: Automatic scholarships for UNM students participating in API programs.
- API Financial Aid Boost Scholarship: For students with unmet financial needs.
- CIEE: Grants for students from Minority Serving Institutions.
- CRCC Asia- Vietnam 2024 HCMC Scholarship Program: A fully-funded internship in Vietnam.
- IFSA-Butler: Scholarships for UNM students participating in IFSA-Butler programs.
- KEI: Affiliation grants for UNM students traveling with KEI.
- USAC: Dedicated UNM/USAC scholarships.
- Semester at Sea: Auto Grants and various donor-funded awards.
Graduate Scholarships
- Graduate International Travel Grant: Co-sponsored by UNM Global Education Office and UNM Bookstores to increase graduate student participation in international programs.
- Chateaubriand Scholarship: For doctoral students in STEM and Humanities.
- Fulbright-Hays--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad: For doctoral students conducting research abroad.
- Harry S. Truman Scholarship: For students pursuing a career in public service.
Using Financial Aid for Study Abroad
In most cases, students can use their financial aid to study abroad, including the Lottery Scholarship, Opportunity Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and other UNM scholarships.
For Fall and/or Spring Semester Study Abroad
- Exchange Programs: Students pay UNM tuition as normal, and financial aid and scholarships automatically apply.
- Direct Enroll/Non-UNM Programs: Financial aid and scholarships are disbursed to the student to pay for tuition and travel costs. Pell Grants, Lottery Scholarships, Presidential and Woodward scholarships, and most student loans can be used, but the Amigo Scholarship cannot.
For Summer Program Study Abroad
Pell Grant recipients can receive funding for summer study abroad. Tuition scholarships may not be available if they do not typically include summer enrollment.
Maintaining Aid and Scholarships While Abroad
Students are responsible for knowing and maintaining the requirements for their scholarships, including GPA and credit hour requirements, while studying abroad.
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