The Second Session of the 57th Legislature

January 2-16, 2026: Legislation may be prefiled
January 20: Opening day (noon)
February 4: Deadline for introduction
February 19: Session ends (noon)
March 11: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
May 20: Effective date of legislation not a general appropriation bill or a bill carrying an emergency clause or other specified date

BlueSky Profile

Democratic Legislation to Help Low-Income Students Attend College Advances

Senate News & Op-Eds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Democratic Legislation to Replenish Depleted NM College Affordability Fund Advances,

Helps Low-Income Adult Students Attend College

(Santa Fe, NM) – The key Senate Education Committee today passed SB 218 that appropriates $2 million per year to the state fund that provides financial assistance to adult college students who want to earn the credentials and skills our economy needs, but who cannot afford college on their own.   The bill, the College Affordability Endowment Fund, is sponsored by Senator Howie Morales (D-28-Catron, Grant and Socorro), Senator Carlos Cisneros (D-6-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos) and Senator Nancy Rodriguez (D-24-Santa Fe).  It passed by unanimous vote.  The Fund has been repeatedly drained over the past few years to plug other budgetary holes, and needs to be replenished in order to help nearly 4,000 low-income students.

“It is the right thing to do, helping more low-income New Mexican students attend college.  They often face serious financial barriers to college access and success.  Offering better opportunities for our people to go to college is important for our state’s economy, and it is an expression of our values and who we are.  This is how New Mexicans get ahead and provide for their families.  The Fund has been depleted, and now needs to be replenished.  I am proud of all my colleagues for their vote today,” said Sen. Morales.

Many low-income adult students do not qualify for the Lottery Scholarship because, for example, they are not right out of high school.  Alternately, they may need to work – to pay for housing and other living expenses – and cannot enroll in college full-time college, but only part-time.  That disqualifies them for Lottery Scholarship access.  The College Affordability Endowment Fund, which is needs-based, helps them meet their financial needs.

Only 31% of New Mexico’s state financial aid is needs-based.  The national average is 76%, and even higher in neighboring states of Texas, Arizona and Colorado.

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