A. Reduced tuition shall be allowed for any individual who:

(1)     is a resident of New Mexico as determined by the definition of residency for tuition purposes as established by the department;

(2)     is a senior citizen;

(3)     pays any course-specific fees charged for a course;

(4)     enrolls at an eligible institution for credit or noncredit courses; and

(5)     has completed all course prerequisites.

B. The department shall not restrict, as a condition of eligibility for reduced tuition, the number of credit hours per semester for which an individual may enroll. Regardless of the amount of credits for which an individual enrolls during a semester, the department shall provide reduced tuition to any individual who meets the requirements of Subsection A of this section by allowing that individual to receive a maximum of ten credits at the reduced tuition rate of five dollars ($5.00) for each of those ten credits.