Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - New Mexico

Date: April 2020

Support for Completing High School

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Planning for Postsecondary Education

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Eligibility Requirements

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Financial Supports for Postsecondary Programs

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 21-1-4.7; Admin. Code § 8.10.9.20

State educational institutions, community colleges, and technical and vocational institutes shall not charge tuition or fees, pursuant to § 21-1-4, to a student who enrolls in one of the State educational institutions, community colleges, or technical and vocational institutes no later than the day of the student's 25th birthday, and to whom either of the following apply:

  • The Children, Youth and Families Department provides certification that the student was in the legal custody of the department, pursuant to § 32A-1-1, on or after the day of the student's 14th birthday
  • A New Mexico Indian nation, Tribe, or pueblo or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Division of Human Services provides certification that the student was in the legal custody of a New Mexico Indian nation, Tribe, or pueblo or the BIA on or after the day of the student's 14th birthday

The Higher Education Department shall collaborate with the department; the New Mexico Indian nations, Tribes, or pueblos; and BIA to ensure that middle school and high school students who are or have been in the legal custody of the department; a New Mexico Indian nation, Tribe, or pueblo; or BIA learn about the provisions of this section.

In regulation: Federally funded Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) shall be available to eligible youth to assist them in obtaining postsecondary education or vocational training. ETV funds may not cover expenses already paid by scholarships, grants, loans, work study, etc. Receipt of ETV funds shall not affect a student's eligibility for other Federal assistance. ETV funds shall be paid to the provider and shall not be distributed through personal checks payable to the youth. The assigned youth transition specialist shall assist the youth in filling out the necessary application and gathering the appropriate supporting documentation.

Related Resources