HED New Mexico Graduate Scholarships
New Mexico Higher Education Department supports two graduate scholarships.
HED Scholarship for New Mexico High School Graduates in STEM
Application deadline extended to August 14, 2026
What is it?
HED Scholarshiop for New Mexico High School Graduates in STEM was created by the New Mexico State Legislature with the New Mexico Higher Education Department to increase graduate enrollment of New Mexico high school graduates in STEM fields at public post-secondary institutions.
How much is the award?
This scholarship provides funds to graduates of New Mexico high schools who are enrolled full-time in a master's or doctoral program at a graduate-degree-granting state university in New Mexico in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program (see examples of STEM related fields here).
Graduate students whose primary degree program is not classified as a traditional STEM discipline may still be eligible for the NMHED High School Graduates STEM Scholarship if
- they are also enrolled in a transcripted minor or certificate in a STEM field, or
- their academic work, research, or scholarly activities have a clear and substantial connection to a STEM field.
Applicants should use their letter of intent or personal statement to thoroughly explain how their research project, thesis, or dissertation incorporates science, technology, engineering, or mathematics concepts, methods, or applications. The statement should provide specific details about the STEM-related aspects of their work, including research objectives, methodologies, technical skills, data analysis, or contributions to STEM knowledge and innovation.
No student shall receive an award amount greater than $7,200 per academic year. The award will be disbursed in two installments fall and spring semesters. This award may be renewed annually based on academic standing and fulfillment of requirements.
Who is eligible?
- You must be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident.
- International students are eligible only if they graduated from a New Mexico high school.
- These scholarships are intended for full-time students who are graduates of a New Mexico high school or received their GED in the state of New Mexico.
- You must be admitted and enrolled full-time in a STEM-related graduate program, certificate, or minor or have a substantial research connection to a STEM field.
- If you are applying for renewal, please select renewal on the form.
The application opening and deadline to apply for this scholarship in InfoReady will be announced later this year.
Application Requirements
- Letter of Intent/Personal Statement
- Current CV or Resume
- Transcripts – official or unofficial transcripts are accepted. If college transcripts are not available, please submit a copy of your high school diploma or transcript.
If you are renewing your application the CV and letter of intent are not required. Please submit a complete application via InfoReady. Application closes August 14, 2026.
Email grad@unm.edu with inquiries about the award.
NMHED Graduate Scholarship for New Mexico Residents
Application deadline: July 10, 2026What is it?
The NMHED Graduate Scholarship for New Mexico Residents is a competitive scholarship funded by the State of New Mexico. Scholarship eligibility is determined by statute, and the NMHED Graduate Scholarship is administered consistently with NMSA 1978, Section 21-21G-1, et seq, NMAC 5.7.15, UNM policy, and all other applicable state and federal law.
How many scholarships are available?
The NM Higher Education Department has awarded a total of $193,440 to UNM for 2026-27. Based on estimated average costs of tuition/fees, we expect the state funding to cover up to approximately 25 total scholarships at UNM for 2026-27, including both renewals and new awards.
What is the scholarship amount?
This scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition and fees for awardees, but please note that it is a “last-dollar-paid” scholarship. This scholarship funds tuition costs only after all other scholarships, fellowships, and/or awards have been applied to the awardees’ bursar account.
Note: the scholarship does not cover differential tuition, an additional tuition cost charged by some programs of instruction, or UNM facility fees. Questions regarding a specific differential fee, such as how the funds are used, should be addressed directly to the specific college or program.
Who is eligible?
- Must be a New Mexico resident
- Must be accepted to or enrolled in a master's or doctoral program (any field except Doctor of Medicine)
- Must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours
First-time applicants:
- Must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or have a paid graduate assistantship supporting faculty teaching or research activities
- Must have completed a FAFSA
Renewal applicants:
- Must have received the scholarship the previous year
- Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Must remain in good academic standing
- Note: maximum award is 4 semesters for master’s students and 8 semesters for doctoral
Priority for awarding limited funds among eligible applicants
- Renewal of eligible students who have already received the award
- Students with financial need
- Students from groups underrepresented in graduate education
- If the number of eligible applicants in priority groups exceeds the available funding, first consideration will be given to applications submitted earliest in the application period.
Disbursement if selected for this scholarship
- If you are selected to receive this scholarship it will be disbursed to your bursar account and applied towards tuition in the first week of September. This is a “last-dollar-paid” scholarship, which funds tuition costs only after all other scholarships, fellowships, and/or awards have been applied to the awardees’ bursar account.
How to apply
All graduate and professional students at UNM are encouraged to apply after reviewing the eligibility rules and award priority guidelines above. Materials must be submitted in InfoReady. Application deadline: July 10, 2026.
- Unofficial transcript from UNM or undergraduate institution
- First-time applicants confirmation of FAFSA Submissions Summary
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, as we expect a very high volume of applications for this award. If the number of eligible applicants in priority groups exceeds the available funding, first consideration will be given to applications submitted earliest in the application period.
Email grad@unm.edu with inquiries about the award.
