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.

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Congratulations to the Student Connect Award Recipients!

July 2025

• TWN Communications Silver Consolidated School District Award 7/7/2025  - $1,500,418
  
  

April 2025

• NM Surf Santa Fe Public Schools Award 4/7/2025 - $2,395,072​
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February 2025

• Commnet Chimayo Award 2/21/2025 - $1,260,500
• Resound Networks Socorro Award 2/21/2025 - $1,772,869​
• Mycelia Foundation Luna County Award 2/7/2025 - $2,498,496
  
  

December 2024

• Ohkay Owingeh Award 12/6/2024 - $2,438,987
• OSO Internet Quemado Award 12/6/2024 - $2,499,000
• Resound Networks Belen Award 12/6/2024 - $2,045,244
• Resound Networks Gadsden Award 12/6/2024 - $2,097,492
• Resound Networks Grants Cibola Award 12/6/2024 - $1,741,350
• Resound Networks Hatch Award 12/6/2024 - $1,600,000
• Resound Networks Los Lunas Award 12/6/2024 - $1,500,000
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Access Official Award Documents

Read Press Releases

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What is the Student Connect Program

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. 

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:
  • Updated Student Connect Program SoW Template v3 (as of 10-25-2024)
  • Student Connect Program Project Schedule Template FINAL
  • Student Connect Program Budget Template FINAL​

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.

Apply Now

CONTACT

Neala Krueger
State Grants Program Coordinator
[email protected]

ELIGIBILITY

Internet Service Providers (with the support of the target schools/school districts); Public Schools and School Districts in rural communities; and Tribal governments are eligible.

RESOURCES

OBAE Awards Library

HELPFUL LINKS

maps.connect.nm.gov