21-21G-3: Definitions.

As used in the Graduate Scholarship Act:

A. "academic year" means the consecutive period of two semesters or other comparable units commencing with the fall term each year;

B. "award recipient" means a student who is a New Mexico resident and is awarded a graduate scholarship;

C. "department" means the higher education department;

D. "eligible institution" means a graduate-degree-granting state university enumerated in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico and accredited by the higher learning commission;

E. "graduate field" means a program of study intended to result in a master's or doctoral degree, excluding a doctor of medicine; and

F. "groups underrepresented in graduate education" means women, minorities, persons with a visual impairment or other physical disability and other groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in the specific area of graduate study or profession for which the scholarship is awarded.