Questions & Answers

In this section we will attempt to answer the most common questions about Educate New Mexico and its scholarships. If, after reading through the information on this page, you still have questions, please fill out the “Ask us a Question” form.

1. Where does the money for the scholarships come from?
   The scholarships are funded by contributions from private individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations. No government money is used and all contributions are tax deductible.
2. What grade does my child need to be in to qualify for a scholarship?
   Students can receive scholarships to attend kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
3. Is the scholarship good for more than one year?
   Scholarships are awarded for a period of four years as long as the scholarship entrant’s family keeps its tuition payments up to date, remains within income eligibility requirements, and can provide proof of these terms. Educate New Mexico is working to extend this beyond 4 years.
4. What will be the dollar amount per child?
   The four-year scholarships are worth $1,000 per year for students in grades K-6 and $1,500 per year for grades 7-12.
5. What income level must my family have in order to qualify?
   The family’s income must fall within the Educate New Mexico Income Limits Table.
6. How will my income be verified?
   A copy of the family’s last federal income tax return will be required.
7. If my child is already attending a private school, can we still qualify?
   Twenty-five percent of the scholarships can be given to students who are already in private schools.
8. What happens if my family’s eligibility changes from one year to the next?
   (For example, what if I did not meet the eligibility requirements on my last 1040 tax return but, due to a sudden job loss or serious illness, my family would now qualify?)
   Special circumstances are handled on a case-by-case basis. For instance, Family A did not meet the eligibility requirements on their last 1040 tax return, but then the father became seriously ill and was unable to work, thereby effectively reducing the family’s annual income. In this example, if the family can show other proof of eligibility (e.g. AFDC eligibility), they would qualify. Educate New Mexico’s Board of Directors will make decisions affecting an individual family’s eligibility once a scholarship has been granted.
9. How do I get an application?
   While applications are available in printed format, it is more effective to fill out the online application. You can also call us at (505) 797-4002 and we will fill out the application for you. See the “Scholarships” section of this web site to read about the process and access the form.
10. Is ENM encouraging children to leave public schools for private schools?
    We are encouraging parents to be more involved in their child’s education, whether they choose to attend a private school or a public school.
11. How difficult is it to fill out the application form?
    The application form is simple. It requests that the parents provide the number of children who are attending grades K-12, and asks the number of children who are in private and public schools. The parents also must certify that they are willing to pay the remainder of the tuition if awarded a scholarship and that they meet the financial eligibility criteria.
12. What is the deadline for applications?
    Applications are accepted at any time. Drawings for new scholarships are held as additional funding becomes available.
13. How will scholarship students be chosen?
    Students will be selected by lottery. If a family’s application is selected, all of the children from that family who are included on the application will be eligible for a scholarship. Families not selected in the lottery remain in our pool – there is no need to apply.
14. How will scholarship payments be made to families?
    Scholarship payments are sent directly to the private schools where the children are enrolled.