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Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, announced the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship on Wednesday while speaking at an education summit at Central New Mexico Community College. The plan would provide free undergraduate tuition at New Mexico colleges for in-state residents and aims to cover nearly 55,000 students a year. It would cover tuition and fees for recent high school graduates at four-year public colleges as well as recent high school graduates and returning adult learners at two-year community colleges.
“We’re going to deliver a major boost. F-R-E-E, let’s make it proof,” Lujan Grisham said drawing a standing ovation and applause from the audience. “It’s been a really long time since I crossed the stage for my diploma at the University of New Mexico, but even though I spelled it out very slowly, I still know what FREE spells and I also know that free college for New Mexico students is the right thing to do.”
The program is estimated to cost between $25 to $35 million, according to Lujan Grisham’s office. It would combine with the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship and build on existing federal grants to cover students’ tuition. Those programs do not currently cover the full cost. Lujan Grisham’s office said the state legislature — where Democrats control both houses — will need to decide how to fund the rest of the program and will take up the matter in early 2020.
New Mexico state Rep. David Gallegos, who is a Republican on the state House Education Committee. said he does not support the plan because it is not “sustainable.”
“Where do we take the money from? Public safety? Public education? I just don’t know where we continue the money,” he said. “I think the discussion needs to be had that this money would be, if they are graduated and have a job that is located in the state of New Mexico. I’d much rather have that discussion than just give it to anyone for any reason.”
State Rep. Rebecca Dow, another Republican who is also on the state House Education Committee, said there should be a work or volunteer element to any potential scholarship.
“I would support targeted scholarships and/or loan repayment for students seeking degrees/certification in (New Mexico’s) high demand jobs,” Dow told CNN. “I believe there needs to be a work or volunteer commitment to New Mexico to receive any scholarship from our state funds.”
This story has been updated.
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