Officials at New Mexico State University say they're bracing for changes that may come next spring as uncertainties remain about how much tuition lottery scholarships will cover.
NMSU says it's prepared to cover up to 60 percent of spring tuition if state lawmakers fail to fund a shortfall when the legislative session begins in January.
Some 14,000 students — the majority of them at NMSU and the University of New Mexico — depend on lottery scholarships to pay tuition. High demand has nearly drained the fund.
NMSU's vice president for student affairs and enrollment, Bernadette Montoya, says the university wanted to ensure the uncertainty wouldn't be a barrier to enrollment next semester.
NMSU is also waiving payment plan fees for students on the scholarship until the state Higher Education Department announces how much will be funded.
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