UNM College of Nursing: Financial Aid for Undergraduates

There are several financial assistance programs for qualified students attending the University of New Mexico. The UNM Student Financial Aid Office is responsible for assisting students with finding financial resources through federal, state, and institutional funding programs. Scholarships, loans, grants, and student work are awarded through this office. Visit the Student Financial Aid Office Web site for more information about these programs. After your application information is processed, results are sent to the UNM Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Officer for Nursing is Janet Lowry. Her office is located at the Law School, Frederick Hart Wing, Room 2513, email: jlowry@unm.edu. Health Professions Student Loans may be available, but a student must inform the Financial Aid Officer of her or his interest. Information on assistance to veterans is available from the Veterans' Affairs Office. The College of Nursing also administers a scholarship program funded by generous donors.

Applying for Financial Assistance

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The priority deadline is March 1st for the following academic year. Application can be made after the deadline, but early application is recommended. Obtain a College of Nursing Scholarship Application Form from Room 156 in the College of Nursing or e-mail Ana Vigil at amvigil@salud.unm.edu and request an application. Return the completed application form by the stated deadline. It is essential that College of Nursing scholarship applicants fill out application forms both through the Student Financial Aid Office and the College of Nursing if they wish to be considered for a nursing scholarship. It is important to understand that those financial aid awards based on need take into account all sources of aid a student receives from the university. A budget is developed for each individual based on all income sources and financial obligations. The Student Financial Aid Office then determines the unmet financial need. Thus, a student can receive financial aid only up to the amount that represents the unmet need. Some individuals receiving a nursing scholarship could experience a reduction in a nursing loan.

Departmental Scholarships
The College of Nursing has approximately 20 departmental scholarships, which are awarded throughout the academic year. Students must be accepted into the College of Nursing and need only complete one scholarship application. Priority deadlines are April 9th for the Summer term, July 31st for the Fall term, and December 7th for the Spring term. Please note that one application is good for three terms, so you do not have to reapply each term.

Nursing scholarships awarded by the College of Nursing do not need to be repaid. These are gifts from donors who wish to make an impact on the health care of New Mexicans by helping potential nurses complete their education. Many students apply for them. Both need and academic performance are considered in most of the scholarship awards.

New Mexico Loan-for-Service Program
The Loan-for-Service Program through the New Mexico Department of Higher Education (HED) is restricted to students committed to working in an underserved area of the state upon degree completion. Students receive funding while enrolled in the program. The student must be committed to this program; penalties exist for breaking the agreement.

The New Mexico Loan Repayment Program is a program that pays back educational loans for nursing students after graduation for a service payback. Thirty out of 33 counties are typically considered underserved. Applications are due July 1st of each year. For complete information, visit the Web site at http://hed.state.nm.us/.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program Overview
The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses. Authorized by Section 846 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, the purpose of the NELRP is to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing health care to underserved populations. For further information, please review the Web site: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm, or call toll-free (866) 813-3753, e-mail NELRP@hrsa.gov.

Several financial aid programs for nursing students are administered by agencies outside of the university. Serving as a nurse in an underserved area/agency is required for the following loans:

The State of New Mexico
For more information about the Loan-for-Service Program and the Loan Repayment Program, please visit the New Mexico Higher Education Department Web site (link http://hed.state.nm.us) and click on the Financial Aid & Scholarships link to the right of the screen. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 2nd.

Military Scholarships
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)

United States Army ROTC Program

Naval ROTC

For more information about College of Nursing financial aid contact:

Ana Vigil
amvigil@salud.unm.edu
Academic Affairs Office
College of Nursing
MSC09 5350
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: (505) 272-0854


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