Syndication News Column:
The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

The Roadrunner is used as a symbol of the New Mexico Lottery.  Funds from this lottery
help educate students at public colleges and universities throughout the State of New Mexico.
(The photograph was provided courtesy of A J Brittain, December 7, 2014.)

The Roadrunner is used as a symbol in New Mexico - from rail transport to a food bank - to showcase elements of the Land of Enchantment.  the New Mexico Lottery also uses the Roadrunner – both in its logo and as it sells Roadrunner Cash lottery tickets.

Part of the revenue raised by the New Mexico Lottery is used to help educate New Mexico residents through The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program at public colleges and universities throughout the State. 

According to the New Mexico Higher Education Department, “The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship will pay a portion of tuition (up to an undergraduate degree) for students who meet the eligibility criteria listed below:

Student must be a resident of New Mexico.

Student must have completed high school at a public or accredited private New Mexico high school, graduated from a public or accredited private new Mexico high school or received a high school equivalency credential while maintaining residency in New Mexico.

Student must enroll full-time at a public post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico within sixteen months of graduation or receipt of a high equivalency credential and maintain continuous full-time enrollment. First time enrollment within the sixteen month period following graduation must be at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution. If the student enrolls full-time at ANY out of state institution or private in-state institution the student shall forfeit eligibility.

Student must enroll in and earn 15 credit hours per semester at a four-year New Mexico public university.

Student must enroll in and earn 12 credit hours per semester at a two- year New Mexico public community college.

Student must maintain a 2.5 or greater cumulative grade point average (GPA) each semester of enrollment.

Students with disabilities may qualify for reduced credit hour requirements and additional semesters of the scholarship.”

A number of students at Western New Mexico University in Silver City have received – and are currently receiving – an education through this scholarship program.

“Almost 14% of Fall 2020 undergraduates at Western New Mexico University are receiving The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship,” stated Debra Reyes, Director of Financial Aid at the University.  “That’s 140 Western New Mexico University students total who are currently receiving the scholarship.”

According to a report issued by the New Mexico Legislature several years ago, 1,465 students from Grant County had received scholarships through The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program from 1997 through 2014.  Of that total, this report indicated that 818 students from Grant County graduated from a public college or university within the State during that time period.  Scholarships in the amount of $8,819,307, according to this report, were awarded to help educate these students.

In addition to Western New Mexico University, a number of two-year and four-year public post-secondary educational institutions within New Mexico participate in The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program. A full list of participating public colleges and universities can be viewed by clicking here. You can also view a report listing funds allocated during 2018 and 2019 for The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship at individual public colleges and universities by clicking here.

According to a current public statement on the website of the New Mexico Lottery, there have been 128,697 recipients of The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program since 1996;  of that total, there have been 77,182 graduates.  A current public statement on the same website indicated that “more than $870 million [has been] raised for education in New Mexico” through the State’s lottery.

A number of students who receive scholarships through The New Mexico Legislative Lottery
Scholarship Program attend Western New Mexico University in Silver City.
(The photograph was provided courtesy of Western New Mexico University, 2020.)

© 2020 Richard McDonough