ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico is investing big in higher education, covering tuition for roughly 55,000 students through programs like the Lottery and Opportunity Scholarships. But how do these programs actually work? And is this model sustainable for the future?

This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chris and Gabby get answers from two leaders at the state's Higher Education Department. HED Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez and Deputy Secretary Patricia Trujillo explain where funding comes from and why the state is making this investment.

"A lot of people don't know, but the Lottery Scholarship was the first tuition-promised program in the country, and it was started with the Lottery," explained Sec. Rodriguez. "People would buy their tickets for the lottery, it would g

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