Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

Gov. Susana Martinez announced the awarding of $750,000 in scholarship funds to New Mexico higher education institutions to help make college education more affordable for New Mexicans.

These scholarships will be given to students in awards of up $1,000. The funding will also be expanded to include fees, books and supplies. The funding, which will be available for Fiscal Year 2015, is a $250,000 increase from funding levels in past years.

“Making these funds available will help more New Mexico students cope with the financial challenges of higher education,” Martinez said. “Investments like this will help more students enter and attend college so they can be more prepared for the workforce.”

The Education Trust Board (ETB), New Mexico’s college savings plan, administers this funding through the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED). HED will also be expanding eligibility to more qualified students at New Mexico’s universities and community colleges that receive these scholarship awards.

“These are financial tools that are important to our students and our higher education institutions,” HED Cabinet Secretary Dr. Jose Garcia said. “Expanding the eligibility and use of these important funds gives both our students and our higher education institutions more flexibility in ensuring more New Mexicans are able to attend college.”

Additionally, HED has secured $175,000 in funding through the College Access Challenge Grant to provide up to four $30 scholarships ($30 is the cost for one test and four tests are available – language arts, math, social studies and science) for qualifying students to take their General Education Development (GED) tests, available at 25 Adult Basic Education sites throughout New Mexico.

To find the nearest Adult Basic Education site, visit www.hed.state.nm.us.