Stephanie Rodriguez

While enrollment of first-year college students dropped nationwide this year, New Mexico’s numbers are actually on the rise. The state Higher Education Department announced Wednesday that nearly 10% more freshmen are taking classes this fall than last.

Last year, three New Mexico State University basketball players were charged with felony sex crimes for hazing teammates. As a result, New Mexico lawmakers are considering making hazing a crime.

Enrollments are up at New Mexico’s higher education institutions, with an increase of more than 4% that’s second only to New Hampshire. And even though the higher education budget this year was more than $1 billion, the Higher Education Department Wednesday asked the Legislative Finance Committee for more.

Teachers can apply through the Department of Higher Education to apply for the loan forgiveness, which grants $6,000 a year, for two years. The process is renewable and previous participants can reapply.