New Mexico Residents
NM students qualify for a variety of financial aid assistance and scholarships such as:
Luciano “Lucky” Varela Opportunity Scholarship
The Luciano “Lucky” Varela Opportunity Scholarship is intended to increase the number of New Mexico high school students attending the New Mexico
Military Institute who meet need-based requirements and who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a military education and environment. This scholarship is awarded to New Mexico resident high school students based on need.
A Parent Financial Statement must be submitted to determine eligibility. This form can be accessed at www.solutionsbysss.com – SSS for Families. The NMMI School Code is 904220.
General Richard T. Knowles Legislative Scholarship
The General Richard T. Knowles Legislative Scholarship program allows each of New Mexico’s 112 legislators to nominate a student from their district for scholarship consideration. In addition, non-selected applicants may be eligible to receive an available Legislative Scholarship in an open district. A student awarded the Legislative Scholarship may receive the award for up to six years.
The General Richard T. Knowles Legislative Scholarship covers approximately 40% of the expenses at NMMI. The Scholarship may be automatically renewed for a total of six years if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress towards graduation and acceptable performance in the NMMI Corps of Cadets.
Priority Deadline is December 30th, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all awards are granted.
Application Requirements:
Minimum GPA as determined by the NMMI Board of Regents
Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher
Apply for admission to NMMI or be a current cadet in good standing New Mexico Resident
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship
The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified students beginning the second semester of their freshman year in college. No application is necessary; however, we strongly recommend that you complete a FAFSA.
Qualifications:
New Mexico resident
Graduation from a New Mexico high school
Seeking a degree
Pass 12 graded credit hours by the end of the first semester
Earn a 2.5 GPA or greater for the first semester
New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship will cover up to 100% of tuition and required fees for junior college program. There is no
application required for the Opportunity Scholarship. If you meet the eligibility criteria, our office will work with you to award the scholarship.
Qualifications:
New Mexico resident
First-time degree-seeking student which means the student must not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Students are encouraged, but not required, to complete a FAFSA.
Must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher.
The scholarship covers up to 90 attempted credit hours for an associate’s degree and 160 attempted credit hours for a bachelor’s degree. Non-credit programs are not eligible.
International Student Cost
Our international rate is very competitive. International students pay an International Fee that goes directly back to the students in the form of orientation, special outings, and the International Center.
North American Student Cost
The tuition rate for non-New Mexican, North American students can be found in the High School Cost Sheet and the Junior College Cost Sheet.
US college students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), prior to May 1st or within one week of admission. It is available online at this link.
US Armed Services Tuition Discount
In recognition of the sacrifices made by military families and our desire to provide leaders for New Mexico and the nation, the NMMI Board of Regents has approved the in-state cost for out of state students rate for military families. Active duty members of the US Armed forces and their dependents as well as honorably discharged veterans of the US Armed Forces and their dependents are eligible to pay the in-state waiver rate at NMMI. This discount applies to NMMI’s boarding high school as well as the Junior College. To qualify for this discount students must be accepted to NMMI through our normal admission process and provide one of the following documents:
The qualifying dependent of such must provide one of the forms and proof of relationship; birth certificate, guardianship document, etc. to qualify for the reduced rate.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
New Mexico Military Institute is a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program for students from the WICHE States. This program provides Junior College students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, who are otherwise admissible and have a composite ACT super-score of a 22 or a composite SAT super-score of 1110 (New SAT) with tuition at 150% of the in-state waiver rate.
Costs can be seen in the New High School Cadet Cost Sheet and the New Junior College Cadet Cost Sheet. Returning cadets pay approximately $2,000 less due to initial uniform issue.
Texas Reciprocity Agreement
NMMI offers Junior College students from Texas who are otherwise admissible and have a composite ACT super-score of a 22 or a composite SAT super-score of 1110 (New SAT) with tuition at 150% of the in-state waiver rate.
Costs can be seen in the New High School Cadet Cost Sheet and the New Junior College Cadet Cost Sheet.
Returning cadets pay approximately $2,000 less due to initial uniform issue
El Paso, Texas, Residents
El Paso, Texas, students qualify for a variety of financial aid assistance and scholarships as well as a reduced, New Mexico In-State tuition rate.
Costs can be seen in the New High School Cadet Cost Sheet and the New Junior College Cadet Cost Sheet.
All college students are urged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families are often surprised to learn the student may qualify for more preferable aid programs by completing the FAFSA.
Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
This program allows parents of undergraduate students who do not have an adverse credit history to borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other financial aid. A 4.228% origination fee (subject to timing of disbursement may be slightly different) will be deducted from the gross amount of the loan borrowed. The interest rate is fixed at 9.08% for school year 2024-2025. Interest accrual begins on the date of the first loan disbursement. The first payment is due within 60 days after the final loan disbursement. This loan may be deferred. Parents must complete a PLUS loan application and master promissory note to borrow through this program.
New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) participates in a “borrower initiated” process allowing the parent to apply and submit the “Federal PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note” directly to the U.S. Department of Education at www.studentloans.gov. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance (student budget) less any financial aid (including scholarships and any other resources) the student will receive. The PLUS Loan interest rate is fixed at 9.08% for school year 2024-2025. A 4.228% origination fee (subject to timing of disbursement may be slightly different) will be deducted from the gross amount of the loan borrowed. Interest begins accruing on the loan upon disbursement; the PLUS Loan may be deferrable while the student is in school. Parents must apply for the PLUS Loan annually and must show satisfactory credit ratings to qualify. Completion of the FAFSA is a requirement of the PLUS Loan Program.
Note: The PLUS Loan is available for college students only.
All college students are urged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families are often surprised to learn the student may qualify for more preferable aid programs by completing the FAFSA.
