New Mexico's Governor Announces Free Public College Tuition Plan

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, aiming to make tuition at public colleges and universities free for in-state students. This program, a last dollar initiative, covers tuition costs not paid by federal grants or the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship. It is expected to close a tuition gap of 25-40% and is seen as a significant economic booster for New Mexico. The scholarship could benefit 55,000 students across 29 institutions by fall 2020. The initiative aligns with broader political discussions on public tuition, with figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren proposing similar plans.

What is the main purpose of the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship?

How does the Opportunity Scholarship aim to address tuition costs for in-state students?

What gap in tuition costs does Lujan Grisham mention that existing programs typically leave?

What potential impact does the governor suggest the Opportunity Scholarship could have on New Mexico's economy?

Which two senators have announced plans related to eliminating undergraduate tuition at public colleges?