New Mexico governor hopes to expand Opportunity Scholarship

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship covers tuition and fees for four-year colleges, community colleges and even credited certificate programs for trades like chefs or carpenters.

It’s a signature program for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, but lawmakers are once again taking a more cautious approach to expanding it.

The governor is asking for $85 million each year to almost double the number of New Mexicans who can access the Opportunity Scholarship by combining four existing scholarships and boosting annual funding.

State lawmakers like the idea, but endorsed just a $12 million yearly investment, as well as a $43 million one-time infusion of federal cash to allow the scholarship fund to grow – and hopefully school enrollment along with it.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be New Mexico residents and maintain a 2.5 GPA while they are enrolled in college.

To see the latest on the Opportunity Scholarship Act, click here.