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
College enrollment continues to rise in New Mexico
SANTA FE – College enrollment in New Mexico has grown for the second consecutive year, with a 4.2% increase this spring compared to the same time in 2024. More than 5,000 additional students are now pursuing degrees and certificates across the state’s higher...
First-time college enrollment in N.M. up 9%
SANTA FE – Freshman college enrollment continues to surge in New Mexico, the Higher Education Department announced Wednesday. First-time enrollment in colleges and universities has risen 9.2 percent statewide, according to data for the fall 2024 semester. This...
Secretary Rodriguez to participate in White House panels on free college tuition
SANTA FE — On Wednesday, New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez will participate in education panels at the White House and U.S. Department of Education as part of the Biden Administration’s Classroom to Career Summit. At the White House,...
‘Pathway to College & Career Day’ set for Wednesday at New Mexico State Fair
Department is excited to announce the annual Pathway to College and Career Day at the New Mexico State Fair will take place Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Main Street area of the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds. Pathway to College and Career Day is a day-long...
New Mexico enrollment growth and student investment continue to outperform national averages
SANTA FE — Statewide higher education enrollment in New Mexico continued to grow and was among the best in the United States, according to a national financial analysis of the 2022-2023 academic year, which highlighted the state’s Opportunity Scholarship as driving...
