New Mexico offers free college tuition for Graduating, returning students
If a college education sounds out of reach because of the cost, the state can bring that dream a big step closer to reality with programs that pay tuition for students transitioning from high school, and older students who’ve been out of the education system for a while.
“We’re going to be able to cover free college for every New Mexican,” Stephanie Montoya, New Mexico Department of Higher Education’s public information officer, said.
The programs, known as Lottery scholarships for new high school grads and Opportunity scholarships for returning students, cover the cost of tuition for community college or trade school for students to get an associate’s degree or career certificate, or transfer credits toward a four-year school.
They are designed to cover tuition and any mandatory fees – such as student association or lab fees – for eligible programs, Montoya explained. Other scholarships or financial aid don’t affect them, so if a student does get other scholarships, they can use these funds for housing, transportation, child care, or other expenses that support educational success.
To qualify for a Lottery scholarship, a student must start attending college within 16 months of high school graduation or receiving a GED and must remain enrolled full time, which means 15 credit hours per semester at a four-year university or 12 hours at a two-year school. They must maintain a 2.5 or better grade point average in college (high school GPA is irrelevant to eligibility).
Although students aren’t eligible for the Lottery scholarship until they attend college for one semester, they may qualify for a bridge scholarship or the Opportunity scholarship to cover the qualifying semester.
That scholarship is also open to adults who have fewer than 90 credit hours toward an associate degree or 160 hours toward a bachelor’s degree on their transcript. That means people who had to leave college before graduating or never got the chance to go when they were younger have a chance now.
For all financial aid, candidates are encouraged to contact their local college financial aid offices and to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which reviews their qualifications for federal programs like Pell grants. UNM-Gallup has the online form available on its website (https://www.gallup.unm.edu/financialaid/) and it’s also available at FAFSA.gov.
“We help students complete the FAFSA application, whether or not they are attending here,” UNM-Gallup Financial Aid Manager Ernestine Shirley said. She also said it’s wise to apply as early as possible, and warns students to watch out for application scams: “If the students complete an application and it requires money, it’s a scam.”
Both programs are calibrated to help students prepare for jobs in high-demand sectors in the state, Montoya said. Students may choose to pursue certifications in areas like building trades, a two-year (associate’s degree), or to earn credits toward a four-year degree.
“Certificate programs align with whatever the highest workforce needs are,” Montoya said, but the office hasn’t yet generated a list of qualifying certificate programs. That might be a temporary hurdle for students pursuing certificates, Shirley said, until colleges know which of their offerings are eligible.
“Most of our programs are eligible as long as they are approved by the [federal] Department of Education,” she said.
There are a few caveats: both scholarships are for first-time certifications; anyone who has already earned an associate’s or bachelors’ degree isn’t eligible. Students must be New Mexico residents and attending a public college or university.
“Over 10,000 students have already benefited under the [Opportunity] funding we have received,” Montoya said. The state’s Legislative Finance Committee estimates statewide demand for the Opportunity Scholarship alone could total more than $100 million per year.
For more information see reachhighernm.com.
By Holly J. Wagner
Sun correspondent
