Understanding UNM Regents' Scholarship Requirements

The University of New Mexico (UNM) provides a range of scholarships to support undergraduate students on the main campus. These scholarships recognize students' hard work and dedication to their educational goals, encouraging academic excellence and leadership. Among these is the prestigious UNM Regents' Scholars Scholarship Program.

General Scholarships at UNM

UNM administers a diverse collection of endowed scholarships each year. These scholarships reward, encourage, and assist students in academic excellence and leadership roles. The selection process uses data gathered from admissions files, registrar records, and information submitted on the FAFSA. There is no separate application for these general scholarships.

Specific General Scholarships

Several endowed scholarships are available with varied criteria, including:

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

UNM Regents’ Scholars Scholarship Program

Established in 1989 by the UNM Board of Regents, the University of New Mexico Regents’ Scholars Scholarship Program is a prestigious award. It provides tuition and fees, room and board, and books to fifteen outstanding freshman students each year.

Eligibility Criteria

The selection criteria for the Regents’ Scholars Scholarship are stringent, focusing on high-achieving students. Eligible students are selected from the following groups:

National Merit Finalists/National Achievement/National Hispanic Scholars: Students who have achieved recognition in these national programs.
Valedictorians: High school students who have earned the highest academic rank in their graduating class.
High ACT/SAT Scores: Students with an ACT composite score of 31 or higher (or SAT equivalents).
Strong College Preparatory Coursework: Students with a rigorous academic background, including advanced, enriched, and advanced placement courses.
High Grade Point Average: Students with a minimum sixth-semester grade point average of 3.9 or higher.

Scholarship Benefits

The Regents’ Scholars Scholarship is a comprehensive award covering:

Tuition and fees
Room and board
Books

Renewal Criteria

The scholarship is renewable for three years, provided the student meets specific renewal criteria each year. These criteria emphasize continued academic achievement.

New Mexico Tech Scholarships

New Mexico Tech (NMT) also offers scholarships, with over 40 percent of undergraduates receiving merit-based aid. To be eligible, students must file the Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships and be accepted before March 1. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more per semester) and be pursuing a degree. Scholarship awards are for the academic year only and may not be used for the summer session. The time period a scholarship is in effect is fixed. NMT awards no more than one scholarship to each student. If a student receives multiple offers, they may accept only one. Merit scholarships are generally awarded beginning with the second semester of enrollment.

Tuition Rates and Residency

The application of state aid, such as the NM Lottery Scholarship, affects tuition rates. Students typically pay resident tuition rates. However, students from certain states (Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming) may pay 150% of resident tuition rates. Recent high school graduates may also pay 150% of resident tuition rates. Scholarship eligibility is generally for a maximum of 4 years.

Endowed Scholarships at NMT

NMT students can apply for endowed scholarships through the Scholarship One Application, which opens in August each year and closes the first week of October.

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