Connecting Students in New Mexico
While rural schools have broadband, there is often no high-speed connection for students and others once they return home. Student Connect funds are addressing that problem by establishing fixed wireless broadband. Student Connect grants will be used to construct towers, build fixed wireless service and provide receivers for the designated student homes. The state money comes from OBAE’s Connect New Mexico Fund.
The Legislature appropriated $25 million designated for public school projects, and OBAE created Student Connect in 2024, an assistance program specifically designed to bring broadband to rural students and school staff. Students and school staff participating in the program will also get three years of free internet. OBAE will approve those applications that meet program criteria. The application process doesn’t have a deadline, but all projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. The Connect New Mexico Fund was established in 2021 by the Legislature through the Connect New Mexico Act. |
CONTACTELIGIBILITYInternet Service Providers (with the support of the target schools/school districts); Public Schools and School Districts in rural communities; and Tribal governments are eligible.
RESOURCESHELPFUL LINKS |
Student Connect Award Recipients
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July 2025
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What is Student Connect?
The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award financial assistance grants to fund projects that will connect unserved and underserved public school students within rural communities.
Who May Apply?
- Internet Service Providers (with the support of the target schools/school districts)
- Public Schools and School Districts in rural communities
- Tribal governments
Timeline
Applications will be reviewed, and awards issued, in the order received.
Funding for Student Connect was extended until June 30,2026. Projects are funded on a reimbursement basis, so all projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Funding for Student Connect was extended until June 30,2026. Projects are funded on a reimbursement basis, so all projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted through the portal on Submittal. (Use the APPLY NOW button below)
- A Scope of Work, Budget, and Schedule are necessary to complete the application process. Mandatory Template are provided below:
Awards
Applications will be reviewed in the order received, and awards will be issued in accordance with NMAC 1.12.21.10. Grant awards will be issued based on urgency of the identified issue, and the ability of the awardee to execute the project quickly in order to satisfy the issue.
Eligibility
Only projects targeting rural public schools, and rural public-school students/staff, are eligible. Rural public schools include those on tribal land. The respective School district/School's support, in writing, is mandatory for project consideration.
Criteria
- State Prevailing Wages must be utilized [Sovereign Nations are exempt from this requirement].
- State Procurement must be followed.
- If awardee has existing assets which expedite project execution, they may be submitted as allowable expenses [determined by age and use of those assets].
- 5G presence is an automatic disqualification for pursuit of these funds.
- Funding cap per project proposal is $2,499,999.
- Final submission for reimbursement can be no later than June 30, 2026.
- Please use the latest US Census data for figures.
- Applicants must use the templates provided by the State of New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE). Applications will not be considered complete until all templates are submitted.
