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
NM college enrollment, retention and completion increase thanks to Opportunity Scholarship
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced Wednesday that college enrollment across the state increased this spring for the fourth consecutive semester since the Opportunity Scholarship Act was signed in 2022, marking an average increase of nearly...
Gov. Lujan Grisham signs legislation expanding tuition-free college, university research and more
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed five bills into law that sustain and expand tuition-free college, fund university research, support students in career training programs and adopt affirmative consent policies on college campuses. “By signing...
Governor signs bill creating $959M trust fund guaranteeing tuition-free college in NM
New Mexico establishes largest higher education trust fund in the nation SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this week signed Senate Bill 159, creating a nearly $1 billion trust fund and a scholarship program fund to ensure tuition-free college in New Mexico for...
New Mexico Higher Education Department achieves remarkable milestones in 2023
State celebrates college enrollment growth, workforce development, adult education graduates and more As 2023 comes to a close, the New Mexico Higher Education Department is proud to look back on a series of accomplishments that have significantly impacted...
New Mexico college enrollment on the rise for second year in a row thanks to Opportunity Scholarship
Over 11,000 first-time, full-time students pursuing higher education College and university enrollment is up again in New Mexico, according to data released by the Higher Education Department on Tuesday, due in large part to the nation’s most expansive...
