SENATE BILL 289

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Nancy Rodriguez

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR FEE AND TUITION WAIVERS FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT CLIENTS.

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

     Section 1. A new Section 21-1-4.7 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "21-1-4.7. [NEW MATERIAL] FEE AND TUITION WAIVER--CONDITIONS.--

          A. The boards of regents of each of the state's public post-secondary educational institutions shall provide fee and tuition waivers to any person who:

                (1) meets the institution's academic admission requirements;

                (2) applies to and enters the institution within one year of high school graduation or receipt of a general equivalency diploma;

                (3) enrolls and remains enrolled as a full-time student;

                (4) is, or, if the person has reached the age of majority, was, in juvenile justice or protective services custody of the children, youth and families department at the time the person turned eighteen; and

                (5) maintains a minimum yearly grade point average of 2.5 in a 4.0 system.

          B. Tuition and fee waivers provided pursuant to this section shall be available for no more than five calendar years from the person's first semester of enrollment at an institution. This waiver shall be available to qualifying persons at each of the state's institutions of higher education regardless of the institution in which the student first enrolled or is applying for transfer."

     Section 2. A new Section 21-13-19.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "21-13-19.1. [NEW MATERIAL] FEE AND TUITION WAIVER--CONDITIONS.--

          A. The community college boards of each of the state's community colleges shall provide fee and tuition waivers to any person who:

                (1) meets the institution's academic admission requirements;

                (2) applies to and enters the institution within one year of high school graduation or receipt of a general equivalency diploma;

                (3) enrolls and remains enrolled as a full-time student;

                (4) is, or, if the person has reached the age of majority, was, in juvenile justice or protective services custody of the children, youth and families department at the time the person turned eighteen; and

                (5) maintains a minimum yearly grade point average of 2.5 in a 4.0 system.

          B. Tuition and fee waivers provided pursuant to this section shall be available for no more than five calendar years from the person's first semester of enrollment at a community college. This waiver shall be available to qualifying persons at each of the state's community colleges regardless of the college in which the student first enrolled or is applying for transfer."

     Section 3. A new Section 21-16-10.2 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "21-16-10.2. [NEW MATERIAL] FEE AND TUITION WAIVER--CONDITIONS.--

          A. The governing boards of each of the state's technical and vocational institutes shall provide fee and tuition waivers to any person who:

                (1) meets the institution's academic admission requirements;

                (2) applies to and enters the institution within one year of high school graduation or receipt of a general equivalency diploma;

                (3) enrolls and remains enrolled as a full-time student;

                (4) is, or, if the person has reached the age of majority, was, in juvenile justice or protective services custody of the children, youth and families department at the time the person turned eighteen; and

                (5) maintains a minimum yearly grade point average of 2.5 in a 4.0 system.

          B. Tuition and fee waivers provided pursuant to this section shall be available for no more than five calendar years from the person's first semester of enrollment at a technical and vocational institute. This waiver shall be available to qualifying persons at each of the state's technical and vocational institutes regardless of the institute in which the student first enrolled or is applying for transfer."

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