New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIV, Issue 15 / August 15, 2023

This is an amendment to 5.7.34 NMAC Sections 6, 7, 8 and 11, effective 8/15/2023.

5.7.34.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of 5.7.34 NMAC is to provide a guideline for implementing the Teacher Preparation Affordability Act (the Act). The purpose of the Act is to encourage eligible New Mexico students to attend and complete an accredited public education department approved teacher preparation program at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution or a tribal college by providing a scholarship opportunity. The Act also provides a scholarship opportunity for licensed teachers enrolled in a graduate program in education or a degree related to their teaching specialty. The scholarship is intended to help defray the educational expenses charged by the public postsecondary institution or tribal college including tuition, fees, books and course supplies and living expenses.

[5.7.34.6 NMAC - N, 7/30/2019; A, 8/15/2023]

5.7.34.7 DEFINITIONS:

A. “Academic year” means any consecutive period of two semesters, three quarters or other comparable units commencing with the fall term each year.

B. “Award recipient” means a student awarded a scholarship.

C. “Department” means the New Mexico higher education department.

D. “FAFSA” means the free application for federal student aid.

[E. “Half-time” means an enrolled student who is carrying a half-time academic work load as determined by the institution according to its own standards and practices.

F] E. “Institution” means a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution or tribal college.

[G] F. “Public post-secondary educational institution” means a research or comprehensive institution, as defined in Article XII, Section 11 of the New Mexico constitution, and branch community colleges or community college or technical and vocational institute as defined by Section 21-13, 14 and 16 NMSA 1978.

[H] G. “Returning adult” means a student enrolling in an institution at any time later than the first semester following high school graduation or the award of a high-school equivalency credential recognized by the State of New Mexico.

[I] H. “Satisfactory academic progress” means maintaining the required academic progress toward program completion as determined by the institution.

[J] I. “Scholarship” means a teacher preparation affordability program award.

[K] J. “Tribal college” means a tribally, federally or congressionally chartered post-secondary educational institution with a physical campus in New Mexico that is accredited by the higher learning commission.

[5.7.34.7 NMAC - N, 7/30/2019; A, 8/15/2023]

5.7.34.8 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION OF AWARD RECIPIENTS:

A. A scholarship may be granted to a student who:

(1) is a resident of New Mexico as defined in 5.7.18.9 NMAC or is eligible for the nondiscrimination waiver as defined in Subsection K of 5.7.18.10 NMAC;

(2) has demonstrated financial need as determined by the institution;

[(2)] (3) is enrolled or enrolling [at least half-time] at an eligible institution [in a teacher preparation program that leads to an appropriate educational credential to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department including but not limited to an education major or alternative licensure certification program. The student’s enrollment must be later than 120 days following high school graduation or the award of a high school equivalency credential recognized by the state of New Mexico]; and

[(3)] (4) [has not earned appropriate educational credentials to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department; and] is:

(a) a licensed teacher enrolled or enrolling at an eligible institution in a graduate program in education or a degree related to their teaching specialty; or

(b) an individual who has not earned appropriate educational credentials to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department and enrolled in a teacher preparation program that leads to an appropriate educational credential to be licensed as a teacher by the public education department, including to an education major or alternative licensure certification program, no later than 120 days following high school graduation or the award of a high school equivalency credential recognized by the state of New Mexico.

[(4) has demonstrated financial need as determined by the institution.]

B. Institutions shall make awards first to students who meet the provisions of Subsection A of 5.7.34.8 NMAC and who:

(1) are English language learners whose first or heritage language was not English;

(2) are historically underrepresented minorities in New Mexico’s teaching profession; or

(3) have declared intent to teach in a high-need teacher position as defined by the public education department.

C. After scholarships have been awarded to eligible students pursuant to Subsection B of 5.7.34.8 NMAC, institutions shall make awards to students who meet the provisions of Subsection A of 5.7.34.8 NMAC

[5.7.34.8 NMAC - N, 7/30/2019; A, 7/12/2022; A, 8/15/2023]

5.7.34.11 TERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIP: A scholarship is terminated upon occurrence of one or more of the following by the award recipient:

A. withdrawal from the institution or from the teacher preparation program;

B. failure to maintain [at least half-time] enrollment;

C. failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress; or

D. substantial noncompliance with the Teacher Preparation Affordability Act or the provisions of 5.7.34 NMAC.

[5.7.34.11 NMAC - 7/30/2019; A, 8/15/2023]