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New Mexico Higher Education Department addresses questions on tuition-free college

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Students encouraged to reach out to the agency directly for help

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department is working to ensure that all New Mexicans receive accurate information on tuition-free college via the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships as classes begin at colleges and universities statewide this month.  

Students should first contact the financial aid office at their college or university via the list provided below to determine which scholarships they are eligible for. Students seeking additional information or needing further assistance are encouraged to visit ReachHigherNM.com or call the Financial Aid Hotline at 1-800-279-9777 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Support is also available via email at fin.aid@state.nm.us.  

“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,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “While we understand that the start of school is a busy time, no eligible student should be turned away. We will continue working with our public colleges and universities and directly with students to make sure that eligible students receive the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, and that information is provided to them in an accurate and timely manner.”  

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.  

There is no separate application for the Opportunity or Lottery Scholarships as funds are awarded directly to students by the college or university they attend. While the Higher Education Department administers overall funds for the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarship programs, the state’s 29 partnering public colleges and universities are responsible for working directly with students enrolling at their respective campuses to determine eligibility and award scholarships.  

The agency has hosted trainings and distributed materials to officials at New Mexico schools in preparation of the rollout of the expanded program this fall semester and issued rules further clarifying eligibility requirements. Secretary Rodriguez and State Financial Aid Director Dr. Harrison Rommel had the privilege of presenting to college and university financial aid officials during the New Mexico Association of Financial Aid Administrators State Conference in Ruidoso this March and provided a training last month that drew in nearly 200 participants from across the state.   

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. 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. Students who have already attained their first bachelor’s degree are not eligible to pursue additional degrees or certificates under these programs. 

A full list of frequently asked questions and answers is available here. 

Direct contact information for financial aid offices at participating New Mexico colleges and universities is below.  

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FBI Updates List of Native Americans Verified as Missing Throughout New Mexico and the Navajo Nation

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The FBI has updated a list of Native Americans it has verified as missing in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation.

The list, first released on July 25, has been updated to add 19 names while 10 have been removed.

There are a total of 186 missing Indigenous persons now on the list, which can be found at fbi.gov/mmip.

“This list exceeded our expectations,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division said. “Besides appearing to be accurate for the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation, the list has galvanized local and tribal law enforcement agencies to update their files on missing Indigenous people. That’s good news for the families who are seeking answers. The public also has reached out to us and our partners to share information.”

If someone’s relative is included in the names, the FBI is actively checking numerous law enforcement databases and other sources nationwide to identify leads that will be quickly passed along to the appropriate agency.

If an ​Indigenous family member who is missing is not ​included in this list, the relatives are urged to contact their local or tribal law enforcement agency and ask them to submit a missing person report to NCIC. 

For further assistance with their request, ​family members or local law enforcement can contact the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Anyone who knows the location of a person on this list is asked to contact law enforcement. ​

Partners involved in the project include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) Task Force, New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, and the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion.

The FBI also received information and support from the Navajo Nation, Native American pueblos, and local law enforcement.

Plans are to update this list monthly.  

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ENMU-Ruidoso Fall Classes Start Aug. 16

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RUIDOSO N.M.—ENMU-Ruidoso Community College’s fall semester classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 16. Registration for classes is going on now. The College will be open in the evening from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 9-11 and again on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for enrollment.

An orientation will be held for new and returning students Monday, Aug. 8, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 101. This is an opportunity for students to be welcomed to the campus and to become familiar with the college environment.

Many resources are available for students to have a successful semester. Students interested in furthering their education at ENMU-Ruidoso should call 575-315-1120 or visit the website at www.ruidoso.enmu.edu to make an appointment and register for fall classes. The college is located at 709 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso. The parking lot and the exterior of the building is currently under construction so please look for the welcome signs at our temporary entrance.

ENMU-Ruidoso’s mission is to enhance the lives of students and the communities we serve, now and into the future. ENMU-Ruidoso combines a traditional learning environment with 21st century instructional technology emphasizing liberal education, freedom of inquiry, cultural diversity and whole student life. Scholarships, cultural enrichment, excellence in teaching and enriched learning define the College’s community relationship and contributions. Transportation and financial assistance may be available.

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Upcoming Road Closure: White Mountain Drive

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White Mountain Drive will be closed starting August 8th.

The closure will begin near the entrance of Palmer Loop and run east.

Palmer Loop will be accessible from the west.

This closure is expected to last 2 weeks due to a culvert being installed.

Be aware and obey all road signs regarding the closure.

There may also be very heavy equipment on the road as a result, please drive carefully.

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Student Loan Forgiveness Workshop

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On August 4, 2022, at 5:00 MT, join Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández as she will host a workshop to help public servants sign up for the Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

There were recent changes made to this important program that will help more New Mexicans pay off their student loan debt!

At the workshop, Department of Education employees will discuss the program, who is eligible, how to apply, and answer your questions!

To see if you are potentially eligible for this program, you can visit the Department of Education’s website. Click here: https://www.ed.gov/

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández will also be streaming the workshop on her Facebook page. Click here:  https://www.facebook.com/RepTeresaLF

Lastly, please register for this event!

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Dividend Distribution Information: August 3rd

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For August 3rd, 2022: $500 per tribal member

Checks will be distributed on the following schedule:

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022

Mescalero Community Center – Gymnasium

9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Thursday, August 4th, 2022

Mescalero Community Center – Gymnasium

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Deductions up to 50% of this dividend will be taken for child support in arrears and past due hardship loans.

Check mailing information

  • Checks will be mailed on Thursday, August 4th,  2022 at 2:00 pm
  • Checks will be mailed to out-of-town residents only
    • if you reside in Mescalero, Ruidoso, Tularosa or Alamogordo (locals) and would like your check mailed, please notify the Finance Department no later than Wednesday,  August 3rd by 4:00 pm
  • If you are an out-of-town resident and do not want your check mailed, please notify the Administrative front desk receptionists no later than Wednesday, August 3rd by 4:00 pm
  • All address changes will need to be made with Crystal Lester as soon as possible
  • Once the checks are placed in the mail, they become property of the US Postal service- we cannot go back and request for a check to be pulled or recovered

Returned checks

  • All returned checks will go directly to Tribal Finance
    • Please call Crystal Lester with any address changes
  • Tribal Finance will then contact Crystal Lester for an updated address
    • If an updated address is not received, the check will remain in Tribal Finance until a new address has been received
  • Once Tribal Finance receives the updated address, the check will be mailed out the next business day

Lost/stolen checks

  • If you lose a check or it is stolen, you will need to notify the Tribal Finance Department
  • A request to place a stop payment will need to be completed. There is a $35 stop payment fee
  • The stop payment takes approximately 3 business days
    • Once the stop payment has been approved, it will be re-issued the Friday after

Things to remember

  • Notes are accepted only with the approval of the President, Vice-President or designee.
  • Please have an ID available, as the individuals distributing dividend may not know you, and will need to verify your identity
  • If you are under the influence, your check will not be distributed to you
  • Early check releases are not allowed

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

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FBI works with partners to improve reporting of missing Indigenous persons in New Mexico, Navajo Nation

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The FBI, in an effort to address the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous persons, is releasing a list of more than 170 Native Americans it has verified as missing throughout New Mexico and the Navajo Nation.

This effort is being publicized to help locate these individuals, increase transparency, and to encourage relatives of missing Indigenous persons who are not on this list to reach out to local law enforcement and file a report.

A link to the list can be found at FBI.GOV/MMIP.

“Every missing person is important. For a long time, the issue of missing Native Americans has been in the news and a lot of people have been wondering if anybody is paying attention,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division said. “I am here to assure you the FBI has been paying attention, and together with our partners, we are taking a significant step ​towards justice for these victims, their families, and communities.”

The release of the list is the result of almost six months of work combining and validating different databases of missing Indigenous persons in New Mexico.

“We will meet the case of each missing and murdered indigenous person with urgency, transparency, and coordination,” said Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and the development and implementation of this list marks a promising step forward in the investigation and resolution of these cases.”

“It is important that we work together to find resolution for those who are missing and their families,” said Marcelino ToersBijns, unit chief of the Missing and Murdered Unit at the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services. “This single-source data set is an important improvement in information sharing that demonstrates how BIA and federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation are working together to address this horrible crisis.”

FBI validated the status of missing Indigenous persons as listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a computerized system of criminal justice information available to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies.

Many records of missing ​Indigenous persons were incomplete or outdated because the record was not updated once additional details were made available or once the person was located.

The FBI vetted hundreds of files and arrived at more than 170​ cases of Native Americans in New Mexico who have been verified ​as missing. The ​list includes all missing Indigenous persons within New Mexico, but it also includes the Navajo Nation, which crosses into New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. The FBI plans to update the ​names​ monthly.

Partners involved in the project include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) Task Force, New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, and the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion.

As part of this effort, the FBI received information and support from the Navajo Nation, Native American pueblos, and local law enforcement.

“The FBI resources and manpower dedicated to producing this validated list of missing Indigenous persons across New Mexico is critical to define the true scope of MMIWR in the state,” said New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Lynn Trujillo, Chair of the MMIWR Task Force. “The data shared today will guide the state’s response to this ongoing crisis. The task force will continue strengthening partnerships across all levels of government, including grassroots organizations that are on the ground providing direct support to families and communities.”

“This is an important step among many, and this multiagency effort is crucial to provide justice and victim services to communities that have historically been underserved,” said New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas.

“The New Mexico Department of Public Safety is the first agency in the United States to modify its National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person Form to allow reporting agencies to identify Indigenous people and their respective tribes, pueblos, or nations,” said New Mexico Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie. “We intend to find answers and justice for these women and families in our community. For generations, a disproportionately high number of missing and murdered indigenous women and relatives have gone unreported. We resolve to address and prevent further tragedy in our state; everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhoods.”

“We appreciate the FBI’s work to vet and refine the list of reported missing Indigenous persons. Our MMIWR Unit, created in December of 2021, will use the advanced investigative techniques that have already helped solve two cases to follow-up on leads generated from this list,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez. “We encourage relatives of missing Indigenous persons who are not on this list to reach out to local law enforcement. Our office stands ready to work with you.”

If someone’s relative is included in the names, the FBI is actively checking numerous law enforcement databases and other sources nationwide to identify leads that will be quickly passed along to the appropriate agency.

If an ​Indigenous family member who is missing is not ​included in this list the relatives are urged to contact their local or tribal law enforcement agency and ask them to submit a missing person report to NCIC. ​For further assistance with their request, ​family members or local law enforcement can contact the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office or the FBI.

This project is in addition to the FBI’s continuing efforts to call attention to unsolved ​Indigenous homicides and missing person cases it is investigating.

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