If you are a not a U.S. citizen, including if you were granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, there are many options to pay for school. You might not be eligible for the Pell Grant but may still be eligible for scholarships from the State of New Mexico or your college. Go to your college’s financial aid office for an alternate financial aid application for non-citizens and for help navigating this process.
If you attended high school in New Mexico and received a high school diploma or equivalency (GED, HiSET) and want to attend college in New Mexico, you have the same right to in-state tuition as New Mexico residents. Talk to your college’s financial aid or registrar’s office about in-state, in-district tuition.
To assist non-citizen and DACA students in navigating financial aid and tuition options in New Mexico, consider including the following resources in your FAQ:
- New Mexico Higher Education Department – Financial Aid: Provides information on state scholarships and financial aid programs available to eligible students, regardless of immigration status.
https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid - University of New Mexico – Undocumented Student Resources: Provides guidance on in-state tuition eligibility and support services for undocumented and DACA students.
https://grad.unm.edu/prospective-students/undocumented.html - New Mexico Highlands University – Information for Undocumented Students: Details on state and institutional financial aid options available to undocumented and DACA students.
https://www.nmhu.edu/information-for-undocumented-students-and-applicants-at-nmhu/ - Federal Student Aid – Non-U.S. Citizen Eligibility: Clarifies federal financial aid eligibility criteria for non-U.S. citizens and provides alternative resources.
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens
These resources offer comprehensive information to help non-citizen and DACA students understand and access financial aid and in-state tuition opportunities in New Mexico.