Paying For College

Office of Financial Aid
Local Phone: (575)392-5172
Toll-Free: (800)657-6260
Fax: (575)492-2559
financialaid@nmjc.edu
Veterans Benefits 
Ruth Rios
Phone: (575)492-2561
rrios@nmjc.edu
NMJC Foundation Scholarships
Amanda Baker
Tina Kunko

Phone: (575)492-2785
Admin Building Room 111
Foundation@nmjc.edu

 

studentsMaking College Affordable 

 
New Mexico Junior College offers one of the lowest tuition costs in the state.

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 values not only in New Mexico, but the entire region.
 
Our affordable tuition rates offer unique opportunities to 
learn, explore and discover your passion, your career, your life!

Tuition and Fees

NMJC in-district resident tuition (Lea County Resident) Maximum cost for fifteen (15) hours or more per semester: $600
Cost per hour for one through fifteen hours per semester: $40.00

New Mexico Out-of-District Resident Tuition Maximum cost for fifteen (15) hours or more per semester: $900.00
Cost per hour for one through fifteen hours per semester: $60.00

Out-of-State Resident Tuition Maximum cost for fifteen (15) hours or more per semester: $1,125.00
Cost per hour for one through fifteen hours per semester: $75.00

 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 (Official and Unofficial) $5.65 Per Copy
Lab and course fees may be added to certain classes. In addition, testing fees may apply for certain programs.
Students who audit courses (those who enroll in classes for no credit) will pay the same tuition and fees as those students taking the classes for credit.

In-district Senior Citizen (Lea County Residents 55 years of age and older) Tuition is waived, however the appropriate fees will be charged.

Out-of-District Senior Citizen (65 & older) Tuition of $5.00 per credit hour for the first six hours will be charged and all fees will apply. Hours over six will be charged the regular rate. 

Out-of-State Senior Citizen (55 & older) Tuition and fees will be charged the normal rates with no discount. 

Download a copy of tuition and fee here.

Payment Policy

All amounts owed to the College are payable within 48 hours to the NMJC business office or through the Nelnet online payment solutionStudents will be dropped (removed), from registered classes if payment (including financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans) is not processed within 48 hours of registration.  This payment policy applies to all amounts including tuition and fees, housing, meal plans, bookstore charges, checks returned for insufficient funds, and charges for student violations or damages to NMJC property. 

FUTURE ENROLLMENT WILL BE DISALLOWED AND OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL AMOUNTS OWED BY THE STUDENT ARE PAID IN FULL.

Funding Options

Even with NMJC's low tuition, funding your education can be complicated at times. NMJC will help you navigate the process and find opportunities that will save you money.

1. Federal and State Financial Aid Commonly referred to as the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is your first step. Find out if you are eligible for valuable grants, student loans and work-study jobs. Never assume that you won't qualify! Fill out the form get informed about your real options. To get started, go to FAFSA using NMJC's school code, 002655. 

For complete information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

2. Scholarships Scholarships are a great way to fund your education. More and more are made available every day, and they don't have to be paid back! You can apply for need-based scholarships which take into account your financial needs, and/or merit-based scholarships that are awarded for academic and personal achievement.

3. Payment Plan or Payment in Full Paying your tuition is easy with NMJC's NelNet Payment Plan. It breaks your expenses into monthly payments, and if you plan ahead, you can pay for a semester’s expenses over four or five months. 

To apply for the NelNet Payment plan, you must first access your New T-BirdWeb Portal. Once inside your portal, there is a link for the NelNet Portal. Having first set up your account through NelNet, you will have several options to choose from depending on when you enroll. You have the option to pay classes in full. You can also set up a payment plan that allows you to pay throughout the semester. Payment methods include Automatic bank payments (ACH) or credit and debit cards. A $25 enrollment fee (per semester) will be assessed at the time of registration in a payment plan. 

Get more information here.

4. Veterans' Benefits Financial benefits are available for veterans. For more information, please contact the veteran services.

NMJC is approved by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services State Approving Agency (GI Bill ®). Most NMJC course offerings are approved and meet veteran’s educational assistance criteria under federal and state laws.

Tuition waivers are available for students who qualify for in-state tuition from out-of-state status under the various federal programs and state legislative action. For specific information, contact the VA Registrar.

Eligible students may apply for VA benefits through the Enrollment Management Office by submitting the proper form. The following forms are available:
• Veteran’s Application for Program of Education or Training;
• Entrance or Re-entrance into Training;
• Disabled Veteran’s Application for Vocational Rehabilitation;
• Requests for Approval of School Attendance;
• Requests for Change of Program or School;
• Statement of Dependence;
• Application for Education Assistance; and
• Spouse or Children of Disabled or Deceased Veteran.
 

VA benefits for qualified students are computed on full-time or part-time academic status. Full-time students are those who maintain twelve (12) or more credit hours throughout a 16-week semester.

Along with the application for Program of Education or Training, the student must include certified copies of discharge (DD-214) and, when applicable, original marriage license and birth certificates of children claimed as dependents. As with other NMJC students, veterans who receive educational benefits through the VA are expected to perform at an acceptable academic level and attend each class session. Each semester, the faculty is made aware of veterans receiving education benefits. A student who does not satisfy faculty standards of attendance or course performance may be dropped from the class by the professor. When a veteran’s course load changes, VA will be informed immediately of the status change. The veteran will then be held liable for any over payment. Veterans are encouraged to take advantage of the available college counseling services. Each veteran is assigned a faculty advisor who provides guidance relative to program planning, scheduling, and other areas of academic progress. The services of a professional counselor are also available to the veteran through the college counseling office. The veteran who is experiencing academic difficulty is expected to take advantage of these services. For further information, visit or call the veterans assistance personnel in the Registrar’s Office.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), this educational institution adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. This educational institution will not:
  • Prevent the student’s enrollment;
  •  Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  •  Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  •  Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
  •  Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
  •  Provide a written request to be certified;
  •  Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

 

GI Bill® Is a Registered Trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the U.S. government website www.benefits.va.gov/gibill