HOUSE BILL 777

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Luciano "Lucky" Varela

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; DECOUPLING THE LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE ACTUAL RATE OF TUITION CHARGED BY PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 21-1-4.4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1996, Chapter 71, Section 4) is amended to read:

     "21-1-4.4. COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION--DETERMINATION OF [TUITION] SCHOLARSHIPS--USE OF LOTTERY TUITION FUND.--

          A. Prior to June 1 of each year, the commission on higher education shall determine the amount of money available for [tuition] scholarships at state public post-secondary educational institutions. Based on the amount appropriated by the legislature from the lottery tuition fund and on the projected enrollment at all public post-secondary educational institutions, the commission on higher education shall [establish the percentage of tuition that shall be awarded for qualified resident students attending New Mexico public post-secondary educational institutions. The percentage of tuition awarded shall be the same for each institution, regardless of the actual cost of tuition at each institution] recommend, as part of the annual budget recommendation for higher education, a tuition award amount that will determine the flat rate of tuition scholarship awards:

                (1) a flat tuition scholarship award amount for a qualified student attending the New Mexico institute of mining and technology, New Mexico state university or the university of New Mexico;

                (2) a flat scholarship award amount for a qualified student attending eastern New Mexico university, New Mexico highlands university or western New Mexico university; and

                (3) a flat scholarship award amount for a qualified student attending northern New Mexico state school or a post-secondary educational institution created pursuant to Chapter 21, Article 13, 14, 14A or 16 NMSA 1978.

          B. For fiscal year 2006:

                (1) the scholarship award amount shall be one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) for a qualified student attending the New Mexico institute of mining and technology, New Mexico state university or the university of New Mexico;

                (2) the scholarship award amount shall be nine hundred dollars ($900) for a qualified student attending eastern New Mexico university, New Mexico highlands university or western New Mexico university; and

                (3) the scholarship award amount shall be five hundred dollars ($500) for a qualified student attending northern New Mexico state school or a post-secondary educational institution created pursuant to Chapter 21, Article 13, 14, 14A or 16 NMSA 1978.

          C. For fiscal year 2007 and succeeding fiscal years, the legislature shall determine the amounts of tuition scholarship awards.

          D. The scholarship award shall be placed in an account at the institution in the student's name and may be drawn upon to pay any educational expense charged by the institution, including tuition, fees, books and course supplies, but not including room and board."

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