In New Mexico, veterans deserve access to continuing education

As the Director of New Mexico State University’s Military and Veterans Programs, I’ve worked with many veterans who have chosen to further their education. It’s been both a privilege and a challenge to hear their stories — how they’ve navigated the transition from military service to civilian life and how they’re working to build a better future for themselves and their families through higher education. I appreciate the sacrifice of everyone who has served and I am proud to work every day to honor this sacrifice and make NMSU one of the most veteran-friendly campuses in the nation.

Unfortunately, one of the most common hurdles these student veterans face is financing their education. With the rising cost of a college education, it has become more difficult for veterans to pay for books, supplies, and other essential materials.

I recently had the pleasure of discussing these challenges with Congressman Gabe Vasquez during his visit to NMSU to speak with student veterans and administrators. Congressman Vasquez has shown a deep commitment to supporting our veterans, understanding their unique needs, and advocating for meaningful change.

It was clear from our conversations that he is genuinely dedicated to uplifting New Mexico’s veterans and backing up his words with action. Recently, Congressman Vasquez introduced the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act, a bill designed to ease the financial burden on veterans pursuing continued education.

Like most Americans, every dollar counts for our veterans, especially regarding education. Currently, the stipend for veterans to spend on books and other supplies is $1,000 — a figure that has not been adjusted since 2008. In today’s world, $1,000 does not stretch nearly as far as it once did. Congressman Vasquez’s bill proposes raising this stipend to $1,400, which will adjust based on inflation and provide the funding necessary so our veterans can focus on their education. The bill also ensures that this amount will continue to increase with inflation, guaranteeing that veterans have the support required each year.

During his visit, Congressman Vasquez took the time to meet with both student veterans and university leadership, including myself, in a roundtable discussion. We were able to share our experiences, challenges and hopes for the future. It was clear that Rep. Vasquez was not just there to listen — he was there to understand.

Congressman Vasquez’s proposed stipend increase reflects his understanding of veterans' challenges. It is not just about the immediate increase but the message it sends: that he values our veterans and is committed to investing in their future. I’m grateful to Congressman Vasquez for his visit to NMSU and hope he will continue his vital work in Congress to uplift New Mexico’s nearly 140,000 veterans.