Navigating the NAS Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

The Native American Studies (NAS) program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) offers a unique and enriching academic experience. This guide aims to provide NAS students with essential information and resources to navigate their academic journey successfully, utilizing the NAS student portal and other relevant UNM services.

Acknowledging Indigenous Lands

Here at New America, we acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who are the ancestral and current caretakers of their unceded homelands; the Apache Tribes, Piro, Manso, Tiwa, and Tortugas Pueblo among more over time. It's important to remember that UNM is located on the traditional homelands of various Indigenous peoples. Recognizing and respecting this history is crucial to understanding the context of Native American Studies. There are 24 Native American Tribes in New Mexico which include twenty Pueblos (Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, Sandia, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Tesuque, Ysleta Del Sur, Zuni, and Zia), three Apache tribes (Fort Sill, Jicarilla, and Mescalero), and the Diné (Navajo) Nation. At our school, we educate ourselves, accept, and welcome all peoples in our diverse student body. Let us be people who will liberate and empower each other.

Understanding Federal Policies and Support

Last week, an Executive Order was made that impacted federal immigration enforcement policies in our country. To receive more information, it is important that the school has your correct contact numbers on file. The School sends out texts with information. La semana pasada, se inició una Orden Ejecutiva que afectó las pólizas federales de la ley de inmigración en nuestro país. NAS-LC no colecciona el estatus migratorio de los estudiantes o sus familiares. To stay informed about policies that may affect students, it's vital to ensure the school has your correct contact information. The school uses text messages to disseminate important updates.

Essential Resources: Your Guide to UNM Services

The NAS student portal and the broader UNM website offer a wealth of resources. Here's a breakdown of frequently asked questions and where to find the answers:

Academic Support

Course Offerings: Find the most up-to-date course schedule at schedule.unm.edu.
Academic Advisement (College of Arts & Sciences): Visit artsci.unm.edu/advisement for general advising within the College of Arts & Sciences.
Academic Advisor Appointments: Schedule appointments with your academic advisor through loboachieve.unm.edu.
Tutoring and Academic Help: Access tutoring services and academic support at caps.unm.edu.
Specific Class Questions: Locate instructor contact information via directory.unm.edu.

Financial Aid and Bursar Information

Financial Aid/Scholarships: Explore financial aid options and scholarships at finaid.unm.edu. Live chat is also available for immediate assistance.
UNM Bursar’s Office: Contact the Bursar’s Office at 505-277-5363 or bursar.unm.edu for questions related to tuition, fees, and payments.

Registration and Records

Registration Deadlines, Forms, and Information: The NAS student portal provides links to important registration deadlines, necessary forms, and other crucial information for course enrollment.
Viewing Holds: Check for any holds on your account by navigating to my.unm.edu > LoboWeb > Registration & Records > Registration (Add/Drop), Course search, Check for holds > Registration Portal > Check My Registration Status > Choose term.

Health and Wellbeing

Student Health Services: Access student health services at shac.unm.edu.
Mental Health Help: Find mental health resources and support at mentalhealth.unm.edu.
COVID-19 Information: Stay updated on UNM's COVID-19 policies and guidelines.

Technology Assistance

Technology Help: Get assistance with technology-related issues at it.unm.edu.

Admissions

Contact Admissions: Reach the Admissions Office at 505-277-8900 or admissions.unm.edu.

NAS Program Specifics

Minor Requirement: If you major in Native American Studies, a minor or double major is required.
NAS Library: The NAS program has its own library. To check out NAS books on a 2-week basis, bring your LoboID and the call number to NAS, 3080 MVH. Search the library catalog at library.unm.edu to see what books are in the NAS Library or stop by.

Understanding Native American Identity

“As a general rule, an American Indian or Alaska Native person is someone who has blood degree from and is recognized as such by a federally recognized tribe or village (as an enrolled tribal member) and/or the United States. Of course, blood quantum (the degree of American Indian or Alaska Native blood from a federally recognized tribe or village that a person possesses) is not the only means by which a person is considered to be an American Indian or Alaska Native. Other factors, such as a person’s knowledge of his or her tribe’s culture, history, language, religion, familial kinships, and how strongly a person identifies himself or herself as American Indian or Alaska Native, are also important. In fact, there is no single federal or tribal criterion or standard that establishes a person's identity as American Indian or Alaska Native.There are major differences, however, when the term “American Indian” is used in an ethnological sense versus its use in a political/legal sense. The rights, protections, and services provided by the United States to individual American Indians and Alaska Natives flow not from a person's identity as such in an ethnological sense, but because he or she is a member of a federally recognized tribe. That is, a tribe that has a government-to-government relationship and a special trust relationship with the United States. These special trust and government-to-government relationships entail certain legally enforceable obligations and responsibilities on the part of the United States to persons who are enrolled members of such tribes. Eligibility requirements for federal services will differ from program to program. Yes, they are US citizens as well as citizens of the states, counties, cities, and towns where they reside.

Read also: Comprehensive ETAR Guide

Additional Resources and Opportunities

UNM Native American Faculty Council: Explore resources and information from the UNM Native American Faculty Council.
Student of the Month Recognitions: Congratulations to the Student of the Month recognitions this month Nov 13 2025.

Read also: Accessing the Cal Poly Portal

Read also: Accessing the MUSD Student Portal

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