Equitable Access

Designated early college programs aim to prioritize students underrepresented in higher education enrollment and completion. To facilitate this, programs are structured to eliminate barriers to student participation.

• The program is designed and funded such that it will be offered tuition-free for all student participants. If at all possible, other expenses that might serve as a barrier to equitable should be covered. 
• Should student applications exceed program’s capacity, admission should be determined by a performance-blind, open-access lottery, or by another method intended to ensure equitable access to the program.
• Initial enrollment in an ECHS should be made without regard to past academic performance.
• The program will present an effective plan for outreach and recruitment of students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
• Program design aims to reflect an admissions and placement policy that ensures that the highest number of first-generation and other underrepresented students are able to participate successfully in ECHS  programming.
• Populations served should fall within the targeted proportions based on the data provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department. Data provided includes the current number and percent of students in the high school or district that fall into the targeted demographic populations.