ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A nonprofit advocacy group recommends that New Mexico change its lottery-funded college scholarship program to provide assistance based on a student's financial need. New Mexico Voices for Children issued a report Monday suggesting the change to help prevent the program from running short of money in the 2014-2015 school year.
New Mexico students qualify for a scholarship covering tuition if they enroll in a public college or university in the state after graduating from high school, attend full time and maintain a 2.5 point grade point average.
Scholarship costs are growing faster than lottery revenue in part because of tuition increases. The report said most student aid in New Mexico is based on academic merit rather than financial need although the state has a high poverty rate.
