As used in the WICHE Loan for Service Act:

A. “commission” [department] means the commission on higher education [higher education department]; and

B. “student” means a New Mexico resident who is a graduate of a New Mexico high school or has resided in New Mexico for three consecutive years immediately preceding application to the program and who attends or is about to attend a graduate or professional program of education through the auspices of the Compact for Western Regional Cooperation in Higher Education [11-10-1 N.M. Stat. Ann.].