New Mexicans encouraged to “Reach Higher” with tuition-free college & career training
The New Mexico Higher Education Department is encouraging New Mexico residents to explore their college and career training options this summer with a new campaign leading up to the start of the fall semester.
“New Mexico has the most generous and inclusive tuition-free college program in the nation, but too few residents know about the opportunities available to them in their own backyard,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “There’s still time to enroll in college and career training programs, and we encourage all New Mexicans to consider attending one of the 29 participating public colleges and universities that offer tuition-free college through the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.”
New Mexicans can expect to hear messages on local radio and see announcements on the big screen before summer blockbusters encouraging them to “Reach Higher” by enrolling in one of the hundreds of degree and certificate programs available at no tuition cost. New Mexico’s public and tribal colleges and universities participate in New Mexico’s tuition-free college program, including the state’s three research universities, four regional colleges, eight independent community colleges, nine branch campuses, four tribal colleges, and the New Mexico Military Institute. Most schools also offer flexible evening and online options for part-time and working students.
“With tuition-free college and high-quality education programs, New Mexico makes education beyond high school a family tradition. Every New Mexican should be proud that they live in a state that believes in their personal and professional growth and will meet them halfway if they put in the hard work of earning a degree or preparing for a career,” said Dr. Patricia Trujillo, Higher Education Deputy Secretary.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department launched ReachHigherNM.com to make things easier for prospective students. This one-stop website helps New Mexicans learn more about state scholarship programs, explore colleges and universities, and start college applications. The department is also available by phone and email to answer questions and provide one-on-one help to anyone interested in enrolling in college or career training programs.
Established by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham by law last year, the Opportunity Scholarship covers full tuition and fees for eligible part-time and full-time students enrolled in any bachelor’s or associate degree program and high-need career training certificate programs at participating public colleges and universities. Students are eligible if they have not completed a bachelor’s degree or taken more than 160 credit hours.
Created in 1996 as the first tuition promise program in the United States, the Lottery Scholarship provides full tuition to recent high school graduates who enroll full time within a year and a half of graduation in an associate or bachelor’s degree program. Used together with the Lottery Scholarship, The Opportunity Scholarship covers fees for Lottery-eligible students.
Both scholarships can be combined with federal student aid programs such as Pell grants and school-based and private scholarships to give students even more resources to pay for college costs. Both programs also require students to maintain a 2.5 college GPA and stay enrolled each continuous semester until completing their certificate or degree.
To learn more about tuition-free college through the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships and to enroll in college, visit ReachHigherNM.com. Those with questions about state scholarship programs can also reach the New Mexico Higher Education Department directly by phone at 1-800-279-9777, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by email at fin.aid@hed.nm.gov.