N.M. Code R. § 5.7.8.7 – Definitions

A. “Academic year” means any consecutive period of two semesters, three quarters or other comaprable units commencing with the fall term each year.
B. “Act” means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
C. “Department” means the higher education department.
D. “Cost of education” means the cost of attending an institution as defined by the institution and approved by the state agency.
E. “Expected family contribution” is defined and calculated according to a fomula established by federal law.
F. “Full-time student” means a student carrying a full-time academic workload, other than by correspondence, as measured by both of the following:
(1) coursework or other required activities, as determined by the institution that the student attends or by the state;
(2) the tuition and fees normally charged for full-time study by that institution.
G. “Half-time student” means an enrolled student who is carrying a half-time academic work load as determined by the institution according to its own standards and practices. However, the institution's half-time standards must equal or exceed the equivalent of the following minimum requirements:
(1) 6 semester hours or 6 quarter hours per academic term in an institution using standard semester, trimester or quarter system;
(2) 12 semester hours of 18 quarter hours per academic year for an institution using standard credit hours to measure progress, but not using a standard semester, trimester or quarter system, or the prorated equivalent for a program of less than 1 year;
(3) 12 clock hours per week for an institution using clock hours.
H. “National of the United States” means a citizen of the United States, or a person who is an eligible non-citizen.
I. “State” means New Mexico.
J. “Substantial financial need” is defined as the relative need, as measured by cost of attendance minus available resources.
K. “Undergraduate student” means a student who:
(1) is in attendance at an institution of higher education; and
(2) has not earned his or her first baccalaureate degree.
[7/15/98; 5.7.8.7 NMAC - Rn & A, 5 NMAC 7.8.7, 8/30/2007]