Tuition-free college for New Mexicans.
With the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, there are options for New Mexicans to pursue college and career training without worrying about the cost of tuition and fees.
Tuition-free college for New Mexicans.
With the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, there are options for New Mexicans to pursue college and career training without worrying about the cost of tuition and fees.
What is tuition-free higher education?
With the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, New Mexico is home to the most generous and inclusive tuition-free college program in the United States!
New Mexico is increasing access to college degrees and career training programs, limiting or eliminating student debt, and promoting family and economic prosperity to strengthen our communities and state.
History
New Mexico was the first state in the nation to implement a tuition-free college program in 1996 with the Lottery Scholarship, which provides tuition-free college to recent high school graduates.
New Mexico was the first state in the nation to implement a tuition-free college program in 1996 with the Lottery Scholarship, which provides tuition-free college to recent high school graduates.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expanded tuition-free college to more New Mexicans with the Opportunity Scholarship, which was created as a budget item in 2020 and made the program permanent by law in 2022.
The Opportunity Scholarship led to the first enrollment increase in New Mexico in more than a decade, with statewide enrollment increasing by nearly ten percent. New Mexico ranked second for enrollment increases nationwide in Fall of 2022, countering a national trend of declining college enrollment.
Over 46,000 scholarships have been awarded in every region of the state to students pursuing career training certificates, two-year degrees and four-year degrees.
The Opportunity Scholarship is fully funded and ready to help tens of thousands of students pursue their college and career.
“For over a quarter of a century, New Mexico has been a national leader in providing free college to its residents. A fully funded Opportunity Scholarship opens the door for every New Mexican to reach higher, strengthening our economy, our families and our communities. Signing this legislation sends a clear message to New Mexicans that we believe in them and the contributions they will make for their families and the future of our great state.” – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
In the News
Editorial: Free college offers residents chance at financial freedom
Source: Albuquerque Journal Whether you want to return to college to become a teacher or go to vocational school to learn the craft of welding, there’s never been a more affordable time for career advancement in New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed...
Today’s lesson? Free college
Source: Albuquerque Journal Many careers require certifications or higher education degrees. New Mexico has funding available to help achieve the training and education needed for such careers. Some refer to this as “free.” Others call it a taxpayer-funded investment...
New Mexico students can now get tuition-free college
Source: Bankrate New Mexico has become the latest state to offer a free college program to residents. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act last Friday, allocating millions of dollars in state funding to free college tuition....
College in New Mexico Is Now Tuition-Free, Even if You’re a Part-Time Student
Source: My Modern Met Since the 1980s, the cost of going to college has increased at eight times the rate of rises in wages. So, the old adage of working a part-time job and graduating debt-free is about as useful or realistic in the modern world as relying on a fax...
New Mexico passes most expansive higher education program in nation, offers free in-state tuition
Source: DAILY KOS In an exciting move for education, one state has declared college to be tuition-free for most of its residents. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 140, the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act, on Friday. According to CNN,...
