As used in the New Mexico Scholars Act:

A. “academic year” means any consecutive period of two semesters, three quarters or other comparable units commencing with the fall term each year;

B. “award recipient” means a student awarded a New Mexico Scholars Act scholarship;

C. “department” means the higher education department;

D. “eligible institution” means any degree-granting educational institution in New Mexico accredited by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools;

E. “satisfactory academic progress” means completion of at least twenty-four credit hours per year and maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of a minimum of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0; and

F. “scholarship” means a scholarship awarded pursuant to the New Mexico Scholars Act.