Freshmen/ In-State Scholarships
New Mexico Lottery Scholarship
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Eligibility Criteria: Complete a minimum 12 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester.
Amount: Tuition only for fall and spring semesters of full time enrollment for up to eight semesters of full time undergraduate eligibility.
Deadlines & Application: March 1st, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Aim for the Lottery Incentive.
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Eligibility Criteria: HS GPA up to 2.49
Amount: Tuition only for 1st (qualifying) semester prior to receiving NM Lottery Scholarship.
Deadlines & Application: March 1st Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Highlands Scholarship Application; admission application by March 1st.
Description: The Aim for the Lottery incentive is for first semester freshmen. If you qualify for the NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship this is your “bridge” award.
Road to Success Scholarship
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Eligibility Criteria: HS GPA of 2.5 to 2.99.
Amount: Tuition only for first (qualifying) semester prior to receiving New Mexico Lottery Scholarship; $200 per year book award.
Deadlines & Application: March 1st; Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Highlands Scholarship Application; admission application by March 1st.
Description: The Highlands Road to Success Scholarship is for first semester freshmen. If you qualify for the NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship this is your “bridge” scholarship.
Legislative Gold Scholarship
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Amount: Tuition and fees; room and board stipend (fixed amount); and book stipend of $400 per year.
Eligibility Criteria: High school GPA of 3.75 or higher AND 25 ACT; or class valedictorian with appropriate school official certification.
Renewal Criteria: Up to eight (8) semesters of full time undergraduate eligibility with 14 credit hours per semester and a 3.5 GPA (freshmen is 3.25 GPA).
Deadlines & Application: March 1st ;Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Highlands Scholarship application; admission application by March 1st.
Description: Student must stay in campus housing to qualify for the room and board benefit of this scholarship.
Highlands’ most complete scholarship package, the New Mexico Legislative Gold Scholarship, is a State of New Mexico award that offers eligible students (3.75 GPAs and 25 ACT) an award including tuition, fees, a $400 book award, and a room and board stipend. Valedictorians are awarded this scholarship regardless of ACT. The number of scholarships is based upon the university’s budget; but, approximately 10 new Gold Scholarships are offered to new freshmen each year. Renewing students do not have to fill out an annual scholarship application.
Legislative Silver Scholarship
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Amount: Tuition and fees; room stipend (fixed amount); and book stipend of $300 per year.
Eligibility Criteria: HS GPA of 3.50 or higher AND 22 ACT; or class salutatorian with appropriate school official certification.
Renewal Criteria: Up to eight (8) semesters of full time undergraduate eligibility with 14 credit hours per semester and a 3.4 GPA (freshmen is 3.15 GPA).
Deadlines & Application: March 1st; Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Highlands Scholarship Application; admission application by March 1st.
Description: Students must stay in campus housing to qualify for the room benefit of this scholarship.
New Mexico Legislative Silver Scholarships are given to eligible freshmen (3.5 GPA and 22 ACT) and covers tuition, fees, on campus housing, and a $350 annual book award. Salutatorians receive this scholarship regardless of ACT scores. These awards are renewed each year as long as the student maintains a 3.4 GPA and takes 14 hours or more a semester. Recipients do not have to fill out an annual scholarship application.
NMHU Zia Scholarship
Qualifications: New Mexico resident; immediately enroll in postsecondary after high school graduation from an accredited New Mexico high school.
Amount: Tuition and fees; book stipend of $300 per year.
Eligibility Criteria: High school GPA of 3.0 or higher or 25 ACT.
Renewal Criteria: Up to eight (8) semesters of full time undergraduate eligibility with 12 credit hours per semester and a 3.0 GPA.
Deadlines & Application: March 1st; Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Highlands Scholarship Application; admission application by March 1st.
Description: Highlands Zia Awards are awarded to first semester freshmen with 3.0 and joined with the New Mexico Lottery Success Scholarship; they cover tuition and fees and a $300 book award throughout a typical four year college career. Renewing students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and do not have to fill out an annual scholarship application.