The New Mexico Higher Education Department is encouraging New Mexicans to explore options for college and career training through its new and improved website at ReachHigherNM.com, a one-stop online resource for connecting students with tuition-free college through the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships.
“With more funding for the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships than ever before, there’s never been a better time to pursue higher education in New Mexico. Whether you’re starting out for the first time or going back to school, scholarships are available, and we are here to help any New Mexican navigate the process of applying and enrolling in college,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez.
“We want to make higher education a family tradition in New Mexico. We must ensure that New Mexicans know about the many pathways and programs available to them. Our refreshed website makes it easier for first-time college students and those who have been out of school for a while to take the next step. The student-friendly website will open doors for more first-generation students and make higher education accessible to more New Mexicans,” said Higher Education Deputy Secretary Dr. Patricia Trujillo. “You can hop on your laptop, tablet or phone right now and get started. Your future is at your fingertips.”
The ReachHigherNM.com website clearly outlines scholarship eligibility requirements for both recent high school graduates and returning adult learners so that students have the information they need to get started. The website also features an interactive college search tool, answers to frequently asked questions, and a step-by-step guide for how to receive state scholarships.
The Opportunity Scholarship pays up to 100 percent of tuition and course-specific fees for returning adult learners and is fully-funded this year at $146 million. The Lottery Scholarship covers up to 100 percent of tuition for recent high school graduates and has been fully-funded since 2019. Over 46,000 New Mexicans have benefitted from the Opportunity Scholarship since it began in 2020 and more than 87,000 students have graduated with the Lottery Scholarship since its creation in 1996.
For more information about New Mexico’s tuition-free college programs, visit ReachHigherNM.com or contact the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s Financial Aid Hotline at 1-800-279-9777 or via email at fin.aid@hed.nm.gov.