Scholarships
Military-Affiliated Scholarship Opportunities
Review the scholarship opportunities below. Eligibility, deadlines, and award availability may vary by scholarship.
Click on each title to view more information about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements.
Ted S. Lopez Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Early September 2026
The Ted S. Lopez Memorial Scholarship was endowed through the University of New Mexico Foundation in June of 2017 in honor of Ted Lopez, U.S. Navy Veteran and UNM alumnus. This was established by Ted’s daughter, wife, and sons, with the help of generous friends, family, and donors.
Students may be full-time or part-time students at UNM and intend to graduate from UNM with an undergraduate or graduate degree.
- Must be honorably discharged from any branch of service.
- Possess and maintain a UNM GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Have unmet financial need.
Learn more about Ted Lopez and the annual Memorial Golf Tournament →
Marjorie Berdux Wightman Scholarship Fund for Veterans
Application period: Opens in October and will be awarded for Fall 2026.
- Be a Veteran of any branch.
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at UNM and pursuing a degree.
- Maintain a C average, 2.5 GPA or above.
- Demonstrate financial need.
Pat Tillman Foundation Military Scholarships
Annual scholarship.
Needs-based scholarships for Veterans, active duty personnel, and their dependents.
Scholarships for Military Children
The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
Biannually awarded.
- Current and prospective ROTC program students.
- Active-duty military personnel with plans to attend college.
- Honorably discharged Veterans of the U.S. military.
- Sons, daughters, and spouses of Veterans or active-duty military.
AFCEA Educational Foundation
Biannually awarded.
- OIF/OEF Veterans.
- Must be majoring in C4I-related fields of electrical, aerospace, systems, or computer engineering.
VFW Military Family Scholarship
Annual scholarship.
- VFW member for a minimum of 2 years.
- Active duty or discharged within 36 months of the Dec. 31 deadline.
- Can be used by the family as well.
Scholarship Programs for Veterans
Serving Those That Have Served Their Country.
Wartime Veterans Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Veterans who have been residents of New Mexico for a minimum of ten years and who were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or any other medal issued for service in the Armed Forces of the United States in support of any U.S. military campaign or armed conflict as defined by Congress or presidential executive order for service after August 1, 1990.
Military Spouse Scholarship
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) Military Spouse Scholarship Program helps military spouses pursue degrees, professional certifications, licensure, continuing education, and career advancement opportunities. Scholarships are available to spouses of service members from all eight U.S. Uniformed Services, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retirees, 100% disabled Veterans, fallen service members, and eligible 20/20/20 spouses. Applications are accepted year-round, with scholarships awarded quarterly based on eligibility and available funding.
Edwin H. Simmons Award
The Edwin H. Simmons Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service among students with an interest in military history and the Marine Corps. Named in honor of Brigadier General Edwin H. Simmons, the award celebrates excellence and encourages continued scholarship in military studies. Students should review the official award criteria and eligibility requirements for current application information.
AFCEA ROTC Scholarships
AFCEA ROTC Scholarships provide financial assistance to full-time Army, Navy (including Marine Corps Option), and Air Force ROTC students pursuing eligible STEM degrees. Scholarship awards generally range from $2,500 to $3,000, and applicants must typically be ROTC sophomores or juniors with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. A single application is used to determine eligibility for all available AFCEA ROTC scholarship opportunities.
American Legion Legacy Scholarship
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship that helps children of U.S. service members who died while serving on active duty after September 11, 2001, as well as children of post-9/11 Veterans with a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. Scholarship awards may be used toward undergraduate, graduate, or trade school programs at accredited institutions and are intended to help cover remaining educational costs after other financial aid has been applied. Eligible students may reapply annually for continued support.
New Mexico & UNM Scholarship Opportunities
New Mexico offers several scholarship opportunities that may assist Veterans, military-affiliated students, and New Mexico residents in reducing the cost of higher education.
Click on each title to view more information about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements.
New Mexico Lottery Scholarship
Many military members go directly from high school into military service and never have the opportunity to use their New Mexico Lottery Scholarship. Eligible Veterans may still qualify to use this scholarship after separating from the military.
The Lottery Scholarship pays tuition only (not fees) and may be used for up to eight semesters.
To qualify you must:
- Be a New Mexico resident.
- Graduate from a New Mexico public or accredited private high school or receive a New Mexico GED.
- Have entered active duty directly after high school.
- Not have attended a New Mexico public college before entering military service.
- Enroll in a bachelor's degree program during your first regular semester after separation or retirement.
- Complete at least 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA during your first semester.
New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship helps eligible New Mexico residents cover tuition and required fees while attending a public college or university in New Mexico. Students do not submit a separate scholarship application; eligible students are automatically considered.
General eligibility includes:
- Be a New Mexico resident.
- Meet enrollment requirements based on your student classification.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Meet the scholarship's credit-hour requirements.
- Remain within the maximum attempted credit-hour limits.
New Mexico Vietnam Veterans Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Veterans who have been New Mexico residents for at least 10 years and were awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal or Vietnam Service Medal.
The scholarship may be used for undergraduate or graduate studies and covers tuition, required fees, and books.
Scholarship for Children of Deceased Veterans
Children between the ages of 16 and 26 whose Veteran parent was killed in action or died from wounds received in battle may qualify for a full tuition waiver at any New Mexico state-funded post-secondary institution.
If the Veteran entered active duty as a New Mexico resident, eligible students may also receive up to full tuition and a $150 stipend for books and course fees.
New Mexico Wartime Veterans Scholarship
The Wartime Veterans Scholarship assists eligible New Mexico combat Veterans pursuing undergraduate or graduate education.
- Must be a New Mexico resident.
- Must be certified through the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services.
- Covers tuition, required fees, and required books.
- Renewable annually with satisfactory academic progress.
Explore Additional UNM Scholarships
Military-affiliated scholarships are just one part of the funding opportunities available at UNM. The UNM Scholarship Office maintains hundreds of scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and continuing students across a wide variety of majors, backgrounds, and experiences.
We encourage all students to explore the UNM Scholarship Office website and apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible. Many scholarships can be combined with military education benefits, tuition waivers, and other financial aid to further reduce the cost of attendance.
