Paying For College
Paying for College at New Mexico Junior College
New Mexico Junior College offers one of the lowest tuition rates in New Mexico, helping students earn a degree, certificate, workforce credential, or transfer credits without overwhelming student debt.
Finally, a higher-education option that won't leave you drowning in debt. With our low tuition rates, New Mexico Junior College is one of the best educational values in New Mexico and throughout the region. Our affordable tuition rates create opportunities to learn, explore, discover your passion, prepare for a career, and build a successful future.
Making College Affordable
Our affordable tuition rates create opportunities to learn, explore, discover your
passion, prepare for a career, and build a successful future.
Low Tuition
NMJC offers some of the lowest tuition rates in New Mexico, making a college education
more accessible and affordable.
Financial Aid Available
Federal grants, student loans, work-study opportunities, and state aid can help reduce
out-of-pocket costs.
Scholarship Opportunities
Merit-based and need-based scholarships provide additional funding options that do
not need to be repaid.
Flexible Payment Plans
Nelnet payment plans allow students and families to spread educational expenses into
manageable monthly payments.
2025-2026 Tuition Rates
Affordable tuition for residents and non-residents alike.
Lea County Residents
Per Credit Hour
Maximum Cost:
$600 per semester for 15 or more credit hours
New Mexico Residents
Per Credit Hour
Maximum Cost:
$900 per semester for 15 or more credit hours
Out-of-State Residents
Per Credit Hour
Maximum Cost:
$1,125 per semester for 15 or more credit hours
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance budget includes estimated tuition, fees, housing, meal plans,
textbooks, transportation expenses, and personal expenses used to determine financial
aid eligibility.
Funding Options
Explore the many ways NMJC students pay for college.
Federal & State Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
NMJC FAFSA School Code: 002655
Scholarships
Scholarships are an excellent way to fund your education and do not need to be repaid.
Opportunities may be awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, leadership,
or involvement.
Nelnet Payment Plans
Break educational expenses into affordable monthly payments instead of paying tuition
and fees all at once with Nelnet. Various payment plan options are available depending
on when you enroll.
Veteran's Benefits
Educational assistance may be available through GI Bill® programs, vocational rehabilitation
benefits, tuition waivers, and other veteran support services available at NMJC.
Important Payment Policy
All amounts owed to the College are payable within 48 hours to the NMJC Business Office or through the Nelnet online payment solution.
Students will be dropped from registered classes if payment, financial aid, scholarships, or payment plan arrangements are not processed within 48 hours of registration.
This policy applies to tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, bookstore charges, returned checks, and student violation or property damage charges.
Future enrollment may be disallowed and official transcripts will not be issued until all balances are paid in full.
Special Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| General Usage Fee | $20.00 Per Credit Hour |
| Internet Course Fee | $40.00 Per Course |
| Interactive Television Course (ITV) | $40.00 Per Course |
| Dishonored Check Fee | $25.00 Per Check |
| Transcript Fee | $5.65 Per Copy |
Course, Lab, Testing, and Other Fees
Lab and course fees may be added to certain classes. Testing fees may apply to selected
academic and workforce programs.
Course Audit Fee
Students auditing courses (enrolling without receiving academic credit) will pay the
same tuition and fees as students taking courses for credit.
Senior Citizen Tuition Information
NMJC offers special tuition opportunities for qualifying senior citizens based on
residency status and age requirements.
Lea County Residents
Age 55+
Tuition is waived for qualifying Lea County residents.
Applicable fees will still be charged.
Out-of-District Residents
Age 65+
Tuition is reduced to $5.00 per credit hour for the first six credit hours.
All fees apply. Hours above six are charged at the regular tuition rate.
Out-of-State Residents
Age 55+
Standard tuition and fees apply.
No senior citizen tuition discount is available for out-of-state residents.
Tuition, Fees, Housing & Meal Plans
Download the complete Tuition, Fees, Housing and Meal Plan Schedule for detailed cost information.
Veteran's Educational Benefits
Eligible veterans, active-duty military personnel, and dependents may qualify for GI Bill®, Vocational Rehabilitation, tuition waivers, and other educational assistance programs.
NMJC is approved by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services State Approving Agency. Find out more about veteran's benefits and services.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ
Tuition ranges from $40 to $75 per credit hour depending on residency status. Lea County residents pay $40 per credit hour, New Mexico residents pay $60 per credit hour, and out-of-state residents pay $75 per credit hour.
New Mexico Junior College's FAFSA school code is 002655. Include this code when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure your financial aid information is sent to NMJC.
Students can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA online and monitoring their T-BirdWeb account for updates, required documentation, and award information.
Yes. NMJC partners with Nelnet to offer flexible monthly payment plans that help students spread tuition and fee payments throughout the semester instead of paying all expenses at once.
Students who do not complete payment arrangements, financial aid processing, scholarship verification, or payment plan enrollment within 48 hours of registration may be dropped from their registered courses.
Yes. NMJC students may qualify for merit-based and need-based scholarships. Scholarships can significantly reduce educational costs and do not have to be repaid.
Cost of Attendance includes estimated tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses used to calculate financial aid eligibility.
Yes. Eligible senior citizens may qualify for tuition waivers or reduced tuition rates depending on residency status and age requirements established by NMJC.
Need Help Paying for College?
Our Financial Aid team can help you understand tuition, scholarships, FAFSA, payment plans, veteran benefits, housing costs, and available funding opportunities.
Helpful Contacts
Office of Financial Aid
Local Phone: (575) 392-5172
Toll-Free: (800) 657-6260
Fax: (575) 492-2559
financialaid@nmjc.edu
Veterans Benefits
Brianna Polanco
Phone: (575) 492-2572
bpolanco@nmjc.edu
NMJC Foundation Scholarships
Amanda Baker
Phone: (575) 492-2785
Admin Building Room 111
Foundation@nmjc.edu
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