Unlocking Opportunity: A Comprehensive Guide to the UNM Achievers Scholarship

The UNM Achievers Scholarship presents a significant opportunity for New Mexico students seeking to pursue higher education at the University of New Mexico (UNM). This merit-based scholarship aims to support outstanding students throughout their degree programs. This article delves into the requirements, eligibility criteria, renewal process, and other essential aspects of the UNM Achievers Scholarship, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

The Allure of the UNM Achievers Scholarship

The UNM Achievers Scholarship offers recipients a chance to study at UNM, an accredited, research-driven institution with quality post-secondary education. Winning this scholarship provides a continuous source of funding to cater to their education throughout their degree program.

Key Requirements for the UNM Achievers Scholarship

To be considered for the UNM Achievers Scholarship, applicants must meet specific requirements that demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence and their connection to the state of New Mexico. These requirements are designed to identify and support the most promising students within the state.

Academic Excellence

An outstanding academic record is paramount. The UNM Achievers Scholarship is highly competitive, and applicants need to stand out. A GPA of 3.6 and above is generally expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to academic pursuits. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic records.

Residency in New Mexico

Applicants are expected to live in New Mexico at the time of the scholarship application. The UNM Achievers Scholarship gives consideration to high school graduates or New Mexico GED recipients, solidifying its commitment to supporting local students.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

College-Bound Status

Applicants should be college-bound and enrolled full-time in a degree program at UNM, as the scholarship applies specifically to this institution.

Good Standing

As a merit-based scholarship, the UNM Achievers Scholarship expects applicants to be the best in the pool of applicants, reflecting their overall character and commitment to excellence.

The Application Process: A Detailed Look

The UNM Achievers Scholarship boasts an extended deadline, running from the beginning of the year to the end. This provides applicants with ample time to submit their application, accompanied by their transcripts and other required documents.

Maintaining the Scholarship: Renewal Criteria

The UNM Achievers Scholarship is a continuous scholarship, renewable for up to four years. However, renewal is contingent upon meeting specific academic criteria. Students must maintain enrollment in 15 new credit hours (no repeated courses) and achieve a minimum 2.5 GPA each semester. Scholarship will not be renewed if the eligibility requirements are not met.

Duration of Eligibility

Institutional Scholarships are only applied to the Fall and Spring semesters. Students are required to maintain full-time enrollment each semester and enroll in the requisite number of credit hours needed to maintain their scholarship for an award to be disbursed. All courses taken to meet scholarship requirements have to be offered at the UNM Main campus. UNM scholarships may be awarded up to eight (8) consecutive semesters. Students are not eligible for their scholarship upon completion of a bachelor’s degree even if the student has not received the award for eight (8) semesters. The eight semesters of eligibility includes semesters in which the student was ineligible to receive an award. Exceptions are made for students participating in a co-op program or those on a pre-approved leave of absence. Students are not eligible to receive a scholarship award while on a co-op program or a pre-approved leave of absence. The scholarship award will be reinstated provided the student re-enrolls at UNM immediately upon the completion of the co-op or approved duration of the leave of absence. Students may not apply any unused semesters of eligibility toward graduate or professional school.

Non-Renewal of Scholarship and Appeal Process

Scholarships will not be renewed if the eligibility requirements are not met. To initiate the petition process please complete and submit the scholarship petition coversheet, a personal statement detailing the circumstances for not meeting the scholarship requirements, and any related supporting documentation to the UNM Financial Aid Office.

Navigating Potential Challenges: Leave of Absence and Other Circumstances

UNM recognizes that students may encounter circumstances that require them to take a leave of absence from their studies. The university has established procedures to address these situations and ensure that students can maintain their scholarship eligibility.

Leave of Absence

Students may petition for a leave of absence from their education for a church mission, military service, co-op program or exceptional (extenuating) mitigating circumstances. A leave of absence will not be approved to attend another branch, college or institution. Students should submit a scholarship petition coversheet, personal statement, and supporting documentation to the UNM Financial Aid Office before beginning a leave of absence. A request for a leave of absence submitted after a student returns to the University may not be approved. Students on an approved leave of absence who enroll in courses during the leave of absence are required to meet all scholarship program requirements. While on an approved leave of absence, students will not receive a scholarship award. The scholarship will be held until the student returns to UNM. To reactivate the scholarship upon returning from an approved leave of absence students must notify the Scholarship Office prior to the start of the semester they will be returning.

National or International Student Exchange Programs

Students participating in a national or international student exchange program are obliged to meet the published requirements to maintain their scholarship. Please ensure official transcripts are sent from the institution you visit on exchange to the UNM Admissions Office. Completed coursework will be transferred to UNM and academic progress will be evaluated to confirm all scholarship requirements have been met. Transcripts for coursework completed during the equivalent of UNM’s spring semester are due by October 15 to determine eligibility for the following fall semester. Transcripts for coursework completed during the equivalent of UNM’s fall semester are due by March 15 to determine eligibility for the following spring semester. Transcripts not submitted by the deadlines will result in the cancellation of scholarship awards for the eligibility period being evaluated.

Discontinuance

A scholarship is claimed by registering in fifteen credit hours at the UNM Main campus and using the scholarship to pay tuition and other academic related fees and expenses. Dropping below the minimum credit requirements, not attending or, once enrolled, discontinuing attendance for any reason will result in the cancellation of the scholarship. Any amount owed to UNM is the responsibility of the student. Any student who needs to discontinue their enrollment because of illness, injury, or extenuating circumstances should follow the Leave of Absence procedures provided above.

Graduation Semester

Students may request a reduction in the credit hour requirements for certain scholarships during their last semester prior to graduation unless you are obligated by contract to take more. This request is made by submitting a scholarship petition coversheet and personal statement to the UNM Financial Aid Office. Full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) is still required.

Understanding Academic Policies

To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must adhere to specific academic policies regarding course selection and grading.

Academic Policies

Credit/No Credit Option: Students may take one credit/no credit option class per semester. (Policy suspended during COVID-19)
"T" Courses: "T" courses include technical, vocational, or special courses. They do not count toward scholarship credit hour or GPA requirements.
Audit courses do not count toward scholarship credit hour or GPA requirements.
Credit hours received through CLEP, ACT, SAT, advanced placement or concurrent enrollment may apply to specific degree programs but will not count toward scholarship credit hour or GPA requirements.
Credit hours earned through the "Examination to Establish Credit" Program may be counted toward scholarship credit hour and GPA requirements.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation courses: Students may use credit for only one non-professional PE course toward scholarship requirements each semester.
Correspondence courses: Students are permitted to receive credit hours for scholarship purposes by participating in UNM correspondence courses applicable to their degree program. Complete the Correspondence Course Verification Form for Scholarships and submit it to the UNM Financial Aid Office. To count as earned credit, or to be calculated as part of your GPA in order to meet scholarship requirements, all UNM correspondence courses need to be completed by the last day of the semester during which the correspondence course(s) was/were added to your schedule.
Grades of "F, I, W, or NC” do not result in earned credit hours toward scholarship credit hour requirements.
100 level courses will not appear on your grade transcript; These courses do count toward scholarship hour requirements. However, they do not count towards GPA requirements.
Students with qualified disabilities who are registered with UNM’s Accessibility Resource Center may be approved for a reduced course load. The Financial Aid Office must receive certifications by the end of the third week each fall and spring semester. All other scholarship requirements remain the same.

If you remain uncertain about a specific policy or you have further questions, please contact the UNM Financial Aid Office at (505) 277-8900.

Beyond the Achievers Scholarship: Exploring Other Funding Opportunities

While the UNM Achievers Scholarship is a valuable resource, students should also explore other scholarship and financial aid options to maximize their funding potential.

General Scholarships at UNM

The University of New Mexico administers a large and diverse collection of endowed scholarships providing assistance to Main campus undergraduate students each year. These scholarships are designed to reward, encourage and assist them in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles. There is no application to apply for General Scholarships. Each year the selection process is completed using data gathered from the admissions file, registrar records and information submitted on the FAFSA. Recipients are selected by the UNM Scholarships Office using the process stated above.

Examples of general scholarships include:

Frank H. Allen, III Memorial: Varies in amount, for graduates of Valley High School (Albuquerque, NM) with academic achievement and letters of recommendation demonstrating intellectual curiosity, physical vigor, leadership, and moral courage. Must be a full-time student.
Arab Women’s Scholarship: Varies in amount, based on financial need and academic merit.
Ballut Abyad: Varies in amount, for juniors or seniors (graduates may be considered if previously received) with financial need and satisfactory academic progress.
Bader/Nelson: Varies in amount, for New Mexico residents who are full-time undergraduates with satisfactory academic progress.
Louise Bell: Varies in amount, for female students with academic merit and general scholarship criteria.
Philo Bennet: Varies in amount, for freshman women in the spring only, based on academic merit, financial need, and New Mexico residency.
Downer-Bennett: Varies in amount, for non-traditional students who are single parents.
L. Beverly Damron: Varies in amount, for members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity with a high GPA. Contact the Student Activities Office for more information.
James Doolittle: Varies in amount, for incoming freshmen with financial need and a high scholastic average.
Bobby Foster: Varies in amount, for juniors and seniors with financial need, a 2.0 GPA minimum, and part-time or full-time enrollment.
Education Trust Board Pathways: Varies in amount, for first-time freshmen who are New Mexico high school graduates from any public or private high school with a 3.5 GPA minimum and financial need.
Edward Grisso: Varies in amount, for male juniors with improvement in grades during their sophomore year.
Robert Hammond Scholarship Fund: Varies in amount. Contact the District Court of the Tenth Judicial District, State of New Mexico for more information.
Lena Heath: Varies in amount, for juniors or seniors with satisfactory academic progress.
C.L. Herrick: Varies in amount, based on academic ability and financial need.
Frederick/Christine Kent: Varies in amount, for freshmen in the spring only, who are New Mexico residents with financial need and high school grades, and recommendations from a principal or counselor.
James M. & Luella Key Endowed Scholarship: Varies in amount, for students engaged in courses qualifying them to pursue a gainful occupation (nursing, teaching, engineering, etc.) with financial need, aptitude, and good grades.
Louis McRae: Varies in amount, for freshmen who are New Mexico residents.
Clyde Oden: Varies in amount, based on financial need and/or academic ability.
Blase Padilla: Varies in amount, based on financial need and satisfactory academic progress.
L.B. Reeder: Varies in amount, for deserving students with financial need.
Austin Roberts: Varies in amount, based on general academic ability and financial need, for residents of San Juan County, NM.
Kathleen Rogers: Varies in amount, for graduate and undergraduate students with satisfactory academic progress.
Rita G.: For NM residents with financial need.
Doris and Thornton Seligman Memorial Scholarship: Varies in amount, for undergraduate New Mexico residents with academic ability.

External Scholarships

Affordable Solar Scholarship: Awards four $1,000 scholarships to New Mexico residents every August for education or trade training in sustainability or renewable energy. Funds must be used by December 31 of the year awarded.
AMS Scholarships and Fellowships: The American Meteorological Society (AMS) offers scholarships ranging from $2,500 (undergraduate) to $25,000 (graduate) for students pursuing careers in atmospheric, oceanic, or hydrologic sciences (Deadline: May 3).
Art and Design Scholarship: 1st-Art-Gallery.com offers a $1,000 annual scholarship for art and design students. Applicants submit their artwork, and the winner is selected by the end of June (Deadline: May 31).
Daniels Fund Daniels Opportunity Scholarships: Distributed to colleges and universities in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to support non-traditional students.
Desk and Derrick Educational Trust Scholarship: Awards $1,000 to $4,000 to students pursuing degrees in geology, chemical, and petroleum engineering (Deadline: April 1).
Handshaking Scholarship: Offers $1,000-$10,000 to bloggers looking to further their education, favoring those in Colorado and New Mexico.
Injury Doctor Scholarship: Merit and need-based scholarship for Fall 2021 (Deadline: June 20).
JGS Fellows Program: Awards $2,000 to undergraduate students engaged in photography and/or digital media (Deadline: June 27).
Kirtland FCU-Club F.I.T. Scholarships: Open to students from specific counties in New Mexico with a GPA of 3.25 and excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Scholarships range from $1,000-$20,000.
National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP): Provides $2,500 scholarships to students intending to work in mine land reclamation (Deadline: May 31, 2024).
New Mexico Presswomen Doris Gregory Memorial Journalism Scholarship: Open to full-time NM college students pursuing journalism, media, or communications degrees (Deadline: January 14, 2022).
SoFi Live's Healthcare Hero $100K Giveaway: Nominates healthcare professionals for a chance to win up to $100,000 towards student loans (Deadline: Sept. 1, 2020).
Teach Early Childhood: The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship (BOS) is provided to non-traditional students enrolled at two-year and four-year higher learning institutions in Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.

Cost of Attendance at UNM

Understanding the cost of attendance at UNM is crucial for financial planning. The average cost of attendance for the 2026 - 2027 Academic Year is as follows (for full-time students):

Room & Board: $11,500
Books & Supplies: $975
Transportation: $1,500
Miscellaneous and Health Insurance: $2,750
Tuition & Fees: Varies depending on the scholarship. Without a scholarship it is $35,173, with the AmigoScholarship it is $12,025 and with the Leadership Scholarship it is $23,599.

The total cost ranges from $28,550 with the AmigoScholarship to $51,898 without any scholarship.

International Student Scholarships

UNM offers competitive scholarships for high-achieving international students. The most prestigious, the International Amigo Scholarship, grants international students (non-immigrant visa holders) the resident, in-state tuition rate, a value of over $20,000 per year. Students who are awarded the Amigo Scholarship must meet renewal requirements each semester. All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for these generous scholarships - no additional application paperwork is needed!

International Amigo Scholarship: Reduces Tuition from Non-Resident Rate to Resident Rate Tuition (Fees Not Included), with an estimated value of $23,148 per Year. Eligibility requires a 3.5 GPA on a US scale in upper secondary/ high school coursework or 3.0 GPA on a US scale AND either an ACT score of 26 OR SAT score of 1240 or 3.25 GPA of with at least 30 credits of university-level transferable coursework.
Leadership Scholarship (Undergrad only): Estimated Value of Scholarship $11,574 Per Year, requiring a 3.0 GPA on a US scale in upper secondary/high school coursework.
Beca Mexico (Citizens of Mexico Only): Reduces Non-Resident Tuition Rate to 1.5 Times Resident Rate Tuition (Fees Not Included), with an estimated value of $17,957 Per Year, requiring a 2.5 GPA on a US Scale.

Students are automatically considered for the highest value scholarship they are eligible for. Scholarships cannot be stacked. Students will only be offered one scholarship and can not combine aforementioned awards with any other UNM scholarship. Priority Application deadline for Scholarship Consideration are March 15th for Fall Admission and May 1st for Spring Admission.

Eligibility Criteria include Admission to a full-time, undergraduate program (Online Programs are not eligible.), Non-immigrant visa status (Preference is given to student visa holders- F1 or J1.), No prior attendance at UNM in the current application degree level. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years for freshman applicants and two years for transfer applicants. Students must maintain enrollment in 15 new credit hours (no repeated courses) and achieve a minimum 2.5 GPA each semester. Scholarship will not be renewed if the eligibility requirements are not met.

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