Opportunity scholarships extended in state

The New Mexico state Higher Education Department for the first time this fall semester has extended its Opportunity Scholarships to students working on a four year degree.

Students who are attending Clovis Community College and Eastern New Mexico University in Portales both can take advantage of these scholarships and college administrators say they are doing just that.

The state first rolled out the Opportunity Scholarship in 2020, according to a state release.

Dr. Patrice Caldwell, chancellor of the Eastern New Mexico University system and president of the Portales campus, said: “The Opportunity Scholarship is the first time New Mexico recognized the importance of the re-entry student.”

Students who have had to stop attending college for a while deserve the opportunity and access to these state scholarships, Dr. Caldwell said. The Opportunity Scholarships are available to these students.

“Just because you stopped attending college for a while doesn’t mean you can never return,” she said. “That opportunity for career enrichment and personal development is still there.”

“Part-time enrollment should be someone’s choice,” she said, “So if a student pursues a degree in conjunction with working, it can be done with this scholarship.”

These scholarships were available last year, but only to students pursuing degrees at two-year colleges, she said. But now students can apply for Opportunity Scholarships while pursuing a four-year degree.

Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Clovis Community College Robin Kuykendall said many students would not be able to get their degree because of financial constraints, if these types of scholarships were not available.

Some students have had to choose between going to school and taking care of their families, Kuykendall said.

“These scholarships allow students to have the money to go to college without having to repay it back as with federal loans,” she said.

Clovis Community College has awarded 362 Opportunity Scholarships to students so far for the fall semester and expects that number to increase to about 500, she said. That is $348,000 and should increase to about $460,000 to $480,000 for this semester.

The state’s Lottery Scholarships are another source of financial help for students, she said.

“It’s stackable – our goal is to try to provide financial assistance for as many students as possible,” she said.

“Colleges and universities are excited to welcome students to campus this fall under the most expansive tuition-free college program in the nation, but we need to ensure that students are getting the message that this benefit is available to them,” stated Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguezin the state release. “New Mexico’s tuition-free college program includes the Lottery Scholarship for recent high school graduates who enroll full time and the Opportunity Scholarship for returning adult learners, part-time students, and students pursuing certain high-demand career training certificates.  Most New Mexico students qualify for tuition-free college and can have certain required fees covered under one or both programs.”  

“Recent high school graduates are eligible for the Lottery Scholarship and can use institution and bridge scholarships awarded by the school and the Opportunity Scholarship to cover any remaining tuition and required fee gaps during their first semester,” the release states. “Students who are returning to school later in life while attending part-time and those pursuing career training certificates in certain fields can receive full tuition and allowable fees via the Opportunity Scholarship.

“Students are eligible for tuition-free college via the Opportunity Scholarship if they are a New Mexico resident, are enrolled in at least six credit hours, have not attempted 90 credit hours toward an associate degree or 160 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree, and are pursuing an eligible certificate or any associate or bachelor’s degree at a participating school. Recent high school graduates will continue to be eligible for bridge scholarships during their first semester and receive the Lottery Scholarship in following semesters.”

For more information contact:

• Clovis Community College 

[email protected] 

575-769-4060 

• Financial Aid

ENMU 800.FOR.ENMU (800.367.3668)

Phone: 575-562-2194