As used in the Teacher Preparation Affordability Act:
A. "department" means the higher education department;
B. "eligible student" means a New Mexico resident who is enrolled or enrolling in an accredited public education department-approved teacher preparation program at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution or tribal college at any time later than one hundred twenty days following high school graduation or the award of a high school equivalency credential and who is pursuing a teaching degree or is a licensed teacher and is pursuing a graduate degree in education or related to their teaching speciality;
C. "scholarship" means a teacher preparation affordability scholarship; and
D. "tribal college" means a tribally, federally or congressionally chartered tribal post-secondary educational institution located in New Mexico that is accredited by the higher learning commission.