Search Saved

Metro guide

Albuquerque scholarships & local foundations

The Albuquerque metro area covers Bernalillo County and Sandoval County in New Mexico, with principal cities including Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. We haven’t confirmed a scholarship limited to this metro yet, so this guide leads with local foundations, statewide awards and state aid.

The IRS lists 1 community foundation with at least $1 million in assets based in the area’s principal cities; the largest is Albuquerque Community Foundation in Albuquerque ($161 million in assets). Community foundations hold hundreds of small donor-funded scholarships, often limited to graduates of specific high schools or residents of one county, and many use a single shared application each winter.

Statewide, 3 more open awards are limited to New Mexico residents, and state aid includes New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. Federal Pell Grants stack on top for students who file the FAFSA.

Where local money hides: ask your school counselor for the local scholarship bulletin (many high schools keep one), check employer and union awards from your parents’ workplaces, and look at service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions) and credit unions near you. These awards rarely appear on national sites, which is why their applicant pools are small.

Scholarships naming the Albuquerque area (0)

None confirmed right now. See the foundations and statewide awards below.

Community foundations in the Albuquerque area (1)

Albuquerque Community Foundation
Albuquerque, NM · $161 million in assets (IRS)
Scholarships page ↗

State aid for Albuquerque students

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
New Mexico · New Mexico Higher Education Department

Tuition and fees at NM public and tribal colleges

Official page ↗

Statewide awards open to Albuquerque residents (3)

88 days left

Lea County Electric Cooperative Education Foundation Scholarship

$8,000 (one-time) · Lea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) Education Foundation · High school senior

Active LCEC members or dependents of members, 19 or younger, living in a county LCEC serves in southeastern New Mexico or West Texas, who are graduating seniors (or GED/homeschool equivalent) and will enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited U.S. college, university or trade school (including online). One recommendation letter required.

Terms on LCEC's page say applications must be received by close of business Friday, Jan 15, 2027 (by mail or in person; no postmarks). Part of the page still shows last year's date, so confirm with LCEC.
NMTX
Apply on official site .icsGoogle CalendarNeeds an essay? Use the toolkit
Add to tracker
Last verified Oct 17, 2026
Next cycle not yet published

New Mexico Scholars Scholarship

Award varies (income-based; combined family income up to $60,000) · New Mexico Higher Education Department · High school senior

New Mexico residents who graduated from a New Mexico high school in the top 5% of their class or scored 25 ACT / 1140 SAT, enrolling full-time as undergraduates at an eligible New Mexico college before age 21, with combined family income up to $60,000.

No statewide deadline: apply through the financial aid office of the New Mexico college you'll attend.
NM
Official site Last verified Oct 17, 2026

Full New Mexico guide → · All community foundations

Frequently asked questions

Are there local scholarships in Albuquerque?

We haven’t confirmed one that’s open right now, but the IRS lists 1 community foundations in the area’s principal cities, and most run local scholarships.

How do community foundation scholarships work?

Donors set up funds with rules such as a specific high school, county, major or need. The foundation advertises them together, usually with one online application each winter or spring, and matches applicants to every fund they qualify for.

What state aid can Albuquerque students get?

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. Most require the FAFSA.