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New Mexico State University

Crimson Scholars Program

How to Apply

The Honors College is streamlining and improving the Crimson Scholars Program, and we will no longer be taking applications. Students who are eligible will be automatically enrolled in the Program. "Welcome" Letters will be sent to qualified students around mid-October.

Privileges

  • You become automatically eligible for all Honors classes.
  • Early Registration allows you to have the first choice of classes.
  • Crimson Scholars advising is available in each college or department.
  • Library Privileges include being able to check books out for an entire semester.
  • You may have the opportunity for salaried work experience as a Crimson Scholars workstudy. Students who are interested in securing employment as a Crimson Scholar workstudy must have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completed a financial aid file with the NMSU Financial Aid Office. (Eligibility requirements are established by the Office of Financial Aid).
  • You may have the opportunity for independent study, research projects and other meaningful work, guided by NMSU faculty.
  • Eligible Crimson Scholars receive notations on their transcripts, lapel pins (Crimson Scholar status for 2 semesters, and eligible for a 3rd semester. Semesters need not be consecutive), and recognition on the commencement program (Crimson Scholar status for 4 semesters, and eligible for a 5th semester. Semesters need not be consecutive and student does not have to be a Crimson Scholar at the time of graduation to receive this notation).

Qualifications

  • Degree-seeking undergraduates, enrolled for three or more credits per semester at NMSU (main campus or one of the branch campuses).
  • New Freshman (27 credits or less) with an ACT composite score of 26 or better or an ACT score of 24 and a 3.75 High School GPA are eligible to apply. These students must maintain a 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA to continue in the program until they complete 28 graded credits.
  • Continuing Freshman are not eligible to apply for the program until they have completed 12 or more credits at NMSU with a 3.5 minimum GPA.
  • Transfer Students must have a 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for 12 credits at their previous institution(s) to be eligible to apply, and must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA to continue in the program. Transfer students who do not have a 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA at their previous institution(s) must complete 12 or more credits at NMSU to establish eligibility and must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA to continue in the program.
  • Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors (28 or more credits) must have a 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA to apply and must maintain that minimum GPA to continue in the program.
  • Currently enrolled Crimson Scholars whose cumulative GPA drops below the required 3.5 will be dropped from the program. If the student's cumulative GPA again meets minimum requirements the following semester, the student will automatically be reinstated. If the student is dropped from the program for two consecutive semesters, the student must reapply.