College Tuition Easier for New Mexico Residents

New Mexico residents are privy to many benefits that residents of other states are not. One of the biggest benefits is in college tuition. While New Mexico residents enjoy one of the lowest tuition and fees averages in the country, $3,985/year at 4 year Universities, nearly all of this cost can be offset by the Legislative Lottery Scholarship. (Pope, J., 2007).

While many states have enacted legislation to donate a portion of lottery proceeds to schools in some fashion, New Mexico has created a program that provides real benefit to its citizens in the form of a scholarship. Why is this program so effective?

A four year degree can cost families of students over $16,000. And while this is low compared to many states, the cost can still be a difficult burden to families, especially low income families and those with more than one child.

The programs requirements are simple. The recipient must be a New Mexico resident. They have to have graduated from a New Mexico public high school, an accredited private high school recognized by the Public Education Department, or have obtained a New Mexico GED. They must be enrolled full-time at one of the 25 eligible New Mexico public colleges or universities, in the first regular semester immediately following high school graduation, and they must obtain and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. That’s only a C average.

The scholarship provides for eight consecutive semesters beginning with the second semester. This means that families must pay for the first semester and if the student meets the requirements, they then get free tuition. Families can potentially save around 14 to 15,000 per child. That’s dollars!

What is the effect of this program? Nationally, New Mexico has one of the highest rates of students who stay in their state to go to college, almost 85%. While no figures are available on the long-term economic gain this has for the state, it is understandable that the growth of resources, namely the increase in a well educated work force, will be of invaluable benefit to the state.

In years to come the per capita income of New Mexico’s residents should increase substantially. With the loss of manufacturing and blue collar jobs nationwide, New Mexico could also see an unemployment rate far lower than the national average.

Many residents are still unaware of the existence of the Legislative Lottery Scholarship. Six 30 second TV ads were designed to help raise awareness, and focused on the ease and speed with which students can gain two year degrees and certifications. The ads have garnered much praise and won first place in a national lottery ad competition.

New Mexico Lottery CEO Tom Romero said it was gratifying to be honored for advertising excellence with a campaign supporting the state’s efforts to create a larger population of college-educated citizens. (Lottery Scholarship Ads, 2007.)

New Mexico is a leader when it comes to education. Governor Bill Richardson plans to unveil an education plan that would give college students access to $3.6 billion in exchange for public service. Recent graduates could join the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Teach for America to earn back their college tuition. Also, new graduates could become firefighters, police officers or teachers in underserved areas to participate. (Elliot, P., October 11, 2007).

This focus on people and America is one real difference between Republican candidates and Democratic candidates. While Republicans empty the nation’s coffers for overseas wars, Democrats strive to increase our standard of living here at home. Something New Mexico’s residents have seen first hand for many years now.

The challenge is for each state to institute viable programs that increase education and social welfare. Taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, any goods seen as unbeneficial to society should be reintroduced in ways that compensate for the problems they create.