A. Financing of branch community colleges shall be by tuition and fees, which shall be set by the board of regents of the parent institution, by gifts and grants and by other funds as may be made available pursuant to the provisions of the College District Tax Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 21-2A-1 to 21-2A-10 or N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 21, Article 14.

B. The board of regents of the respective parent institution of the branch community college may establish and grant gratis scholarships to students of the branch community college who are residents of New Mexico in an amount not to exceed the matriculation fee or tuition and fees, or both. Except as provided in Section 21-1-4.3 N.M. Stat. Ann. [repealed], the number of scholarships established and granted shall not exceed three percent of the preceding fall semester enrollment in the branch community college and shall not be established and granted for summer sessions. The president of each institution shall select and recommend to the board of regents of the president’s institution, as recipients of scholarships, students who possess good moral character and satisfactory initiative, scholastic standing and personality. Beginning with the fall semester of 2010, a minimum of one-half of the gratis scholarships established and granted by the board of regents for a branch community college each year shall be granted on the basis of financial need, and beginning with the fall semester of 2011, a minimum of two-thirds of the gratis scholarships established and granted by each board of regents each year shall be granted on the basis of financial need.