New Mexico Resident Tuition for Veterans, Guard Members and Military Families

Section 21-1-4.5 is broad but has one condition that is easy to miss. Veterans. Subsection A: a veteran "shall be deemed an in-state resident" for tuition and fees at all state institutions, "provided that the veteran is eligible for veterans' education benefits under federal law". A veteran who is not a New Mexico resident must actually use those federal benefits at a state institution. Subsection E keeps the resident rate for later terms while the veteran stays in the degree or certificate programme. The definition of veteran in subsection J is the broad one, including six-year Guard and reserve members and not dishonorable. Spouses and children. Subsection H: a spouse or child of a veteran pays resident tuition if eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill "or any other federal law authorizing educational benefits for a veteran and the dependents of a veteran". Subsections B to G cover the spouse and children of an active member assigned to New Mexico, of one reassigned elsewhere while the family stays, of one stationed elsewhere whose family moves here with a letter of intent, and of one who dies, if the family becomes resident within sixty days. The rate continues through the same programme and does not end when a child is no longer a dependant. Guard. Section 20-4-14: an active Guard member and the member's spouse and children are deemed residents for tuition at all state institutions. Call-ups. Section 21-1-4.1 forgives tuition owed for the semester in which a student is conscripted, deployed or called to active duty with the reserves or Guard, and credits payments already made toward re-enrolment. Section 20-1-8 separately entitles a deployed resident member to a refund or credit of tuition for the interrupted period. The lottery scholarship. Section 21-21N-2 lets a New Mexico high school graduate who began service within four months of graduating qualify for the Legislative Lottery Scholarship by enrolling within sixteen months after honourable service or a medical discharge.