Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has an ambitious proposal to make college free for citizens of the state.
“Up to 35,000 New Mexicans could attend college in New Mexico debt-free for an investment of $85.5 million, or 1% of New Mexico's overall budget,” according to a news release from the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
The news release reports that thousands of New Mexicans have been aided by the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarship and that Lujan Grisham is examining financial obstacles that hinder residents from pursuing higher education.
“Every New Mexican deserves the opportunity to reach higher and pursue education or career training leading to a brighter future for New Mexico,” the news release states.
KRQE reports that the New Mexico Scholarship Act would give $85.5 million to 35,000 students in order for them to attend college without going into debt. The proposed law would also bring various state scholarships into one scholarship in order to make money more obtainable to students, and interested students must live in the state and go to school either full or part time and have over a 2.5 GPA.