No Fee November: Apply Free to NMSU and NMSU Alamogordo
Published 5 November 2026
If you have been thinking about college or career training, November is a good month to apply. As part of New Mexico's "No Fee November," New Mexico State University is waiving its application fee until December 1, 2026, and NMSU Alamogordo charges no application fee at any time of year. Eligible New Mexico residents may also be able to go tuition free through the state's Opportunity and Lottery scholarships.
This one is for anyone here who has been putting off that first step, whether you are a recent graduate, a parent going back to school or a military spouse looking for a new path.
What is No Fee November?
The New Mexico Higher Education Department's No Fee November announcement, released November 1, 2026, says New Mexicans can apply for free to 24 colleges and universities this month.
Three schools, Diné College, New Mexico State University and New Mexico Tech, are waiving their application fees for the month. The other 21, including NMSU Alamogordo, charge no application fee year round.
Which colleges near Alamogordo are free to apply to?
| School | Application fee in November 2026 |
|---|---|
| NMSU Alamogordo | No application fee, year round |
| New Mexico State University, Las Cruces campus | Fee waived until December 1 |
| NMSU Doña Ana | No application fee, year round |
| ENMU Ruidoso | No application fee, year round |
All four schools are on the state's No Fee November list. To start an application to NMSU Alamogordo, use the NMSU Alamogordo admissions page, which also lists admissions specialists you can contact with questions.
Can I go to college tuition free in New Mexico?
Many residents can. According to Reach Higher New Mexico, the state's tuition free college site, the Opportunity Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and course specific fees at New Mexico public colleges and universities. It is for students working toward a for credit career training certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree.
| Opportunity Scholarship basics | What the state says |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Established New Mexico residents, under the Higher Education Department's residency standards |
| Course load | At least six credit hours every fall and spring semester |
| Grades | Achieve and keep a 2.5 GPA |
| Prior college | Students without a bachelor's degree and with fewer than 160 credit hours |
| How to apply | Colleges award it automatically to eligible students when they enroll and register |
Reach Higher New Mexico says the FAFSA is not required for the state scholarships, but it strongly encourages filling it out, because federal aid such as Pell Grants can help with books, housing and transportation.
Is college enrollment growing in New Mexico?
Yes. The Higher Education Department says fall 2026 enrollment at New Mexico's public colleges and universities reached 115,231 students in preliminary data. That is up 1.2% from last year, the fifth year of growth in a row.
What should military families know?
If you are new to New Mexico, residency is the key question for state scholarships, since they are for established New Mexico residents. Ask NMSU Alamogordo's admissions or financial aid staff how the Higher Education Department's residency requirements apply to your family before you count on a scholarship.
NMSU Alamogordo also has a military and veterans page on its website. You may also like my post on the Holloman and NMSU engineering partnership.
What does this mean for people living here or moving here?
Having a college in town that is free to apply to, with tuition free options for many residents, is a real plus for local families. It can open the door to a new career without leaving Alamogordo.
If you are planning a move, my jobs in Alamogordo page and Holloman AFB relocation guide can help you plan the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NMSU Alamogordo have an application fee?
No. The New Mexico Higher Education Department lists NMSU Alamogordo among the colleges that charge no application fee year round.
How long is NMSU waiving its application fee?
The Higher Education Department says New Mexico State University's main campus is waiving its application fee until December 1, 2026. That is part of the state's No Fee November initiative.
What is No Fee November in New Mexico?
No Fee November lets New Mexicans apply for free to 24 colleges and universities during November. Three schools waive their fees for the month, and 21 others never charge one.
Is college free in New Mexico?
Many residents can go tuition free through the Opportunity and Lottery scholarships. The Opportunity Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and course specific fees for eligible New Mexico residents at public colleges.
Do I need to fill out the FAFSA for the Opportunity Scholarship?
No. Reach Higher New Mexico says the FAFSA is not required for state scholarships, but it encourages students to complete it to qualify for federal aid.
Details come from the New Mexico Higher Education Department's November 1, 2026 announcement, Reach Higher New Mexico and NMSU Alamogordo's admissions page, checked 5 November 2026.