2021 Legislative Session

Opportunity Scholarship bill advances from Senate committee
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A bill that would provide tuition assistance for thousands of New Mexico students pursuing degrees at two-year colleges was brought back from the brink of death Monday and is now headed to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. Senate Bill 135 appropriates $26 million from the general fund for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. The amount includes $4 million for a pilot program for students in the state who don’t qualify for the Legislative Lottery Scholarship.
The Senate Education Committee voted 6-2 Monday to support SB 135. Acting Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez wrote in an email the bill provides funding to expand the scholarship to “returning adult learners and part-time students.” “This is our opportunity to transform educational access, improve lives and guide New Mexico’s workforce toward a path to prosperity,” she said.