Types of Grants

Northern New Mexico College places a high priority on need-based financial aid to fulfill its commitment to meeting the demonstrated financial need of Northern undergraduates. In fact, $4.3 million in need-based grants were awarded during the 2011-2012 academic year, helping to ensure that an economically diverse student population from New Mexico could enroll at Northern New Mexico College.

Although most of the grants awarded to Northern students are based on financial need, a few, such as the federal TEACH Grant and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, have special purposes and eligibility criteria. The types of grants awarded to Northern students and eligibility criteria are listed on this page.

Federal Pell Grant (FPELL)
Federal Pell Grants are the largest of the Federal Student Aid Programs. The amount of the grant is determined and scheduled by the U.S. Department of Education. This grant does not have to be repaid. Awards range from $582 to $5,645. For a detailed list of all federal grants.

Eligibility Criteria:

Awarded only to the lowest-income families
Undergraduate; first bachelor's degree
Must complete the financial aid application process by the priority filing deadline
Eligibility is based, in part, on student enrollment at the beginning of a semester. If a student withdraws or receives a non-passing grade for a class, we must confirm that the student attended at least one session of that class. If you did not attend a class for which you withdrew or received a non-passing grade your Pell funding will be reduced.

Terms of Award:

Awards vary from $582 to $5,645, based on need
Must be enrolled at least half-time; less than half-time enrollment allowed in limited circumstances
*Cannot receive for more than 12 full-time semesters

*Pell Grant Lifetime Maximum
Effective fall 2012, students can only receive a Federal Pell Grant for 6 years or 12 semesters at full-time enrollment. Northern defines full-time enrollment as 12 or more credit hours per semester. Students who are enrolled in less than full-time will have their lifetime eligibility adjusted (prorated) accordingly. You may monitor your lifetime eligibility by logging into the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS). This site will provide you with the Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used in percentages. The maximum you can use in a lifetime is 600%. This is equivalent to 6 years of full-time eligibility. You must know your pin (same PIN you used to complete your FAFSA) to log in.

Federal Supplemental Education Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a campus-based award that is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority. Since there are limited funds available, you should make sure that you apply by the April 30th priority deadline each year.

Eligibility Criteria:

Awarded to Pell Grant-eligible undergraduates who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
Must complete the financial aid application process by the April 30th priority filing deadline.

Terms of Award:

Award amount varies from $300 - $1,200 per academic year and is based on need
Must be enrolled at least half-time

New Mexico Student Incentive Grant (NMSIG) (NM residents only)
This grant provides educational grant assistance to residents of New Mexico who demonstrate substantial need to attend eligible post-secondary institutions in New Mexico. For a detailed list of New Mexico grants go to grants.

Eligibility Criteria:

U.S. Citizen
New Mexico Resident
Undergraduate
Enroll at least half-time
Demonstrate financial need

Terms of Award:

Award varies from $300 - $1,200 per academic year based on need

College Affordability Grant
The purpose of the College Affordability Grant is to encourage New Mexico students with financial need, who do not qualify for other state grants or scholarships, to attend and complete educational programs at a public New Mexico college or university.

Eligibility Criteria:

Undergraduate
Attend a public New Mexico college or university
Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
May not be receiving any other state grants and scholarships.
Must be enrolled full-time.

Terms of Award:

Maximum of $400 per semester
Renewable if student maintains satisfactory progress
May receive scholarship for a total of eight (8) consecutive semesters if pursuing a Bachelors degree.

Federal Teach Grant
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.
IMPORTANT: If you do not complete your service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant was disbursed (paid to you or on your behalf).

Eligibility Criteria:

Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM).
Be enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.
Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25). For specific information about the academic requirements, talk with a Financial Aid Advisor.
Receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation. You must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Like other federal grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria:
You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:

you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but
meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

Terms of Award:
The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $5,645 for the 2013–14 award year (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014).

Common Eligibility Requirements for all Grants

Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student pursuing a degree in an eligible program
Not be simultaneously enrolled in an elementary or secondary school while enrolled in post-secondary school
Provide a valid social security number
Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
If male be registered with the Selective Service
Complete a FAFSA and demonstrate need for financial assistance
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as identified by the institution
Not be in default of a federal or state student loan
Not owe repayment on any federal grant

This website last updated on 10/18/13