ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico is addressing student homelessness with a new initiative that pays qualifying students $500 a month.
The New Mexico Public Education Department already tested the Guaranteed Payment for Attendance program in Cuba. It’s now expanding the program to 330 students across 12 school districts and one charter school. Students from grades 10 to 12 are eligible for the program.
“We know that we want to increase our graduation rate, we want to continue work with our students who are un housed or experiencing homelessness. That’s where our dropouts are,” said Yvonne Garcia, NMPED Deputy Secretary of Student Support Services.
Students must maintain a 92% attendance rate, complete all assignments, attend tutoring sessions, and meet with a counselor to qualify for the program. The state says the money is mean to help students overcome barriers to attending and staying in school.
“They contribute to the family’s income. And so if we are helping stabilize their situation, then they have the ability to come to school,” said Garcia.
Jennifer Ramo, Executive Director of New Mexico Appleseed which created the program, emphasized the importance of using money as an incentive. “When you give people cash, whether there’s a condition or not, and they’re able to spend it on what they need, they actually spend it really well,” said Ramo.
A financial advisor will assist students receiving the funding to ensure they stay on track. Ramo highlighted the advisor’s role in helping students manage expenses and potentially save for future education.
NMPED officials say they could expand the program to all school districts statewide if they see success from this three-year program.
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Capolan on December 9th, 2025 at 03:00 UTC »
Something people in the comments arent aware of, and it makes this more significant than people realize.
The dropout trend right now has moved from dropping out of high school to dropping out of college. Heres the important part. Students dropped out for relatively trivial amounts of money too. They've tracked students, and senior and juniors drop out for small amounts - seniors dropping out for 300 dollars.
This 500 dollars could be the difference between dropping out or graduating. What some colleges are doing is setting up slush funds for emergencies to keep students enrolled.
goddamnmanxhild on December 9th, 2025 at 00:43 UTC »
This is the second uplifting news about New Mexico I've seen this week.
Edit: my bad it was actually a little over two weeks ago, the one about childcare.
Admiral_Ackbar_1325 on December 8th, 2025 at 23:15 UTC »
Our Governor has been great for education, you can get a free Associates Degree from Central New Mexico Community College right now because of legislation she passed!