By KRWG News
New Mexico – The House has approved legislation giving high school graduates more time to decide whether to attend college and still qualify for a lottery-financed scholarship.
To receive a scholarship currently, students must enroll in a public college or university in New Mexico the semester after graduation, attend full time and maintain a 2.5 point grade point average. The scholarships pay for tuition.
Under legislation unanimously approved Wednesday, students could wait to attend college for up to 16 months after graduation and remain eligible for a scholarship financed by the state lottery.
Rep. Bill O'Neill, an Albuquerque Democrat, said some students aren't ready for college immediately after they graduate from high school.
The legislation goes to the Senate for consideration.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.