Scholarships

2024 – 2025 Scholarship List

General Scholarships

There are a variety of scholarships available to UNM-LA students as listed here, or download the complete 2023-2024 list. Your scholarship application packet must include:

• A complete a UNM-LA Scholarship Application.
• A letter of intent to the Scholarship Committee specifying which scholarships they wish to be considered for and how the scholarship will help them achieve their goals.
• An unofficial transcript.

Incomplete packets will not be considered. Submit complete packets to the Financial Aid Office.

Bridge to Success Scholarship

NO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REQUIRED. Scholarship will be automatically awarded based on qualification requirements. Only awarded the first semester after graduation or GED. The award amount is $984.00 (amount is subject to change) Additional tuition costs and fees are students’ responsibility. Students must meet the following qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Graduate from NM High School or GED
• Minimum 2.5 GPA/GED/HiSet equivalent
• Admitted in a degree or certificate program at UNM-Los Alamos
• Must be enrolled FULL TIME (12+ CR)
• Fall applicants must have graduated or completed GED Spring semester of same year. Spring applicants must have graduated or completed GED in preceding Fall semester
• Must provide high school/ GED transcript and college transcript with UNM-LA admissions application
• ONE SEMESTER ONLY

New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

NO APPLICATION REQUIRED. Scholarship will be automatically awarded based on qualification requirements

Eligibility Requirements:

• Student must be a resident of New Mexico. Student must have graduated from a public or accredited private New Mexico high school, completed requirements as a home-schooled student registered with the New Mexico Public Education Department, or received a high school equivalency credential recognized by the state of New Mexico while maintaining residency in New Mexico.
• Student must enroll full-time at a public post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico within sixteen months of graduation or receipt of a high equivalency credential and maintain continuous full-time enrollment. First time enrollment within the sixteen-month period following graduation must be at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution. If the student enrolls full-time at ANY out of state institution or private in-state institution the student shall forfeit eligibility.
• Student must enroll in and earn 15 credit hours per semester at a four-year New Mexico public university.
• Student must enroll in and earn 12 credit hours per semester at a two- year New Mexico public community college.
• Student must maintain a 2.5 or greater cumulative grade point average (GPA) each semester of enrollment.
  

Students with disabilities may qualify for reduced credit hour requirements and additional semesters of the scholarship.

Award:

A flat award based on the type of institution the student attends (Research; Comprehensive; or Community College). NMHED will notify institutions of the award for the upcoming academic year by June 1.

Duration: The initial scholarship shall begin with the second semester of enrollment at a public postsecondary educational institution. Thereafter, the scholarship is renewed on a per-semester basis subject to maintaining eligibility. Students must remain consecutively enrolled each fall and spring semester to maintain eligibility for the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed at a four-year institution until the award recipient has received seven (7) semesters of scholarship awards or until the student graduates with a bachelor’s degree, whichever is sooner. Students attending a community college are eligible for three (3) semesters of scholarship awards. The student should contact their public post-secondary educational institution’s financial aid advisor for eligibility verification if they have met the first semester eligibility requirements listed above.

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

NO APPLICATION REQUIRED. Provides tuition and fee assistance for students enrolled in 2-year programs, including credit-bearing certificate or associate degree programs in a public institution of higher education or Tribal Colleges in New Mexico. Recent high school graduate and returning adult learners are eligible for this scholarship.

The scholarship covers any gap in tuition and fees owed by a student after other forms of state aid, such as the NM Lottery Scholarship, are applied. Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees.

Criteria for consideration varies. See NMHED for more information.

Opportunity Scholarship Brochure

HED Incentive to Complete Scholarship

The HED Incentive to Compete Scholarship has been set up as a retention scholarship to assist current STEMH students finish their degree program. There will be two student awards per year. The award amount will be $1200 annually.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrolled in a STEMH degree program at UNM-Los Alamos
• Must have already earned 24 credit hours
• Enrolled full-time (12-18 credit hours)
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

The following scholarships are Department Awards specific to UNM-Los Alamos.

Unless indicated, scholarship Eligibility Requirements are:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Full-time enrollment (12-18 credit hours)
• New Mexico resident
• Must be enrolled in a a degree or certificate program at UNM-Los Alamos
• Applicants that have already earned an Associate’s and/or Bachelor’s degree are NOT eligible
• No more than 4 semesters of awards

Alice A. Armstrong Memorial Endowment

To assist students who plan to earn a Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis on teaching math, science or engineering. Preference given to students enrolled in teaching, math, engineering or science degrees. This scholarship pays $400 per semester and can be awarded up to 4 semesters.

Agnes Finnie-Grotto Memorial Endowment

For the purpose of assisting non-traditional students to earn an Associate’s Degree. Open to any major. Students must be enrolled at least half time. This scholarship can be awarded up to 4 semesters and covers students’ tuition and fees.

Benito Garcia Memorial Scholarship

For students enrolled in a fine arts or arts and sciences degree program (Studio Art or Liberal Arts). Scholarship covers tuition and fees.

Ed Grilly & Julie Langram Grilly Scholarship

For students enrolled in the Liberal Arts program. Applicants must have previous college or HS GPA of 3.5 or higher or an ACT composite score of 25+. This scholarship covers tuition and fees.

Española Women’s Club Endowment

Open to any degree program and covers $250 per semester. Students need to be admitted to UNM-Los Alamos immediately after GED/HiSet or high school completion, have completed GED/HiSet or high school in New Mexico, live within Rio Arriba, Los Alamos or Santa Fe County. High school GPA of 3.0, ACT composite of 20+ or SAT of 650+. Preference is given to women and financial need. Must complete a FAFSA. Beginning freshmen preferred.

Executive Endowment Scholarship

Open only to beginning freshmen with a 3.25 or higher high school GPA or a 22 ACT composite score (or SAT equivalent). This scholarship is awarded for the FALL SEMESTER ONLY in the amount of $500.

Jim Sagel Memorial Endowment

For students in the Liberal Arts or Southwest Studies. Covers tuition and fees.

Joe and Stella Martinez Memorial Endowment

Open to beginning freshmen only, in any degree program. Must be US citizens. Applicants must be admitted to UNM-LA the semester following HS graduation or GED completion. Must have attended NM HS or GED. Must live in Rio Arriba, Los Alamos or Santa Fe Counties. Covers a portion of tuition (portion the Bridge does not) Covers FALL SEMESTER ONLY.

Noah Rodriguez Memorial Endowment

For students enrolled in the Liberal Arts. Covers tuition and fees for up to 4 semesters.

Independent Scholarships that require outside scholarship applications.

The AAUW Scholarship

The Los Alamos Branch of the American Association of University Women is offering this scholarship to encourage a non-traditional female student to pursue her goal of completing her Certificate, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s Degree at UNM-Los Alamos. The amount of the scholarship is $1000 for the school year (divided between fall/spring semesters).

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must demonstrate financial need. (Complete current year FAFSA.)
• Must be enrolled in a certificate or degree seeking program.
• Must be enrolled in at least 8 credit hours per semester (fall/spring).
• Must maintain a 2.5 GPA to continue eligibility.
• Must submit a new application each year.
• Must submit a short essay (not more than one page) explaining why you want to attend school, what your goals are and how this scholarship will help.
• Student must be a female non-traditional student returning to school or just starting education after several years out of high school.

Download the AAUW 2024-2025 application.

LANL Career Pathways Scholarship

LANL Career Pathways Scholarship

Career Pathways Scholars are focused and determined, with a clear vision of the career or trade they intend to pursue. These scholars are highly motivated to gain the skills and credentials needed to enter the workforce in their career of choice, with the primary goal of improving quality of life for themselves, their family and their community. This scholarship supports high school seniors and those with a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) in pursuit of a 2-year degree, trade or certificate.

Career Pathways Scholarships are $750 awards per semester up to $3,000 total. Renewal is dependent upon remaining in good academic standing and making progress toward completion.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in a two-year degree program or certificate program.
• Must be a permanent resident (366 consecutive days+) of Northern New Mexico in Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, or Taos County by the time of application.
• Must have received a high school diploma or GED, or:
  • be near completion of a GED/HSE program
  • be a high school senior currently enrolled in your final semester of high school.
• Strong applications in any area of study will be considered.

Learn how to apply.

P.E.O. Scholarships

www.peointernational.org 

P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization that helps women pursue their educational goals. All applicants must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. to apply. Applicants should reach out to their local chapter to begin an application. 

https://nmpeo.org/nmpeo/projects/

The following named scholarships are available. Applicants are asked to reach out in the fall semester to interview with the local P.E.O. chapter, to be followed by the online application. Several scholarships permit multiple year applications.

• NM Career & Technical Education Scholarship (NM CTE): Women who have earned their high school diploma or GED are eligible for this scholarship at any time during their working lives. Minimum $1,000.
• Delilah Williams Scholarship: At Freshman (I) or Sophomore (II) level for an academic year at a NM institution. Minimum $2,000.
• New Mexico State Scholarship: At Junior or Senior level for an academic year at any four-year college. Minimum $2,000.
• Jean Boswell Foundation Scholarship: At Junior or Senior level for an academic year at any four-year college. Minimum $2,000.

P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF)

The P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) makes loans available to qualified women who desire a higher education and are in need of financial assistance. All applicants for the ELF Loan Fund must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The current rate of interest is 2 percent.

Maximum student loan amounts are:

• $12,000 for a non-degree accredited program, an associate
• $15,000 for a bachelor’s degree
• $20,000 for a master’s degree
• $25,000 for a doctoral degree

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

The Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants to women in the U.S. or Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. The maximum grant is $4,000.

International Peace Scholarship

The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS) is a fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. The maximum award amount is $12,500.

Eligibility Requirements:

Each scholarship, grant and loan has specific requirements. Applicants should reach out to a local chapter to begin an application.

For more information on the named and NM scholarships: https://nmpeo.org/nmpeo/projects/

For more information on the ELF loan, PCE grant and Peace Scholarship: https://www.peointernational.org/peo-projectsphilanthropies

To start the process, contact a local P.E.O. Chapter.

• Los Alamos Chapter AK may be contacted at ak.peo.nm@gmail.com.
• Los Alamos Chapter BC may be contacted at:
  • Chapter BC State Scholarships - Diana Little  nmlittled@gmail.com
    
  • Chapter BC International Scholarships - Joanne Baty. jvbaty@losalamos.com

Advancing Young Women in STEM Scholarships

The Advancing Young Women in STEM Scholarship is NMOST's way of uplifting and encouraging young women in New Mexico on their STEM journeys. This scholarship is designed to assist and encourage young women pursuing STEM education and careers. Scholarships range from $500-$1000.

Eligibility:

Applicants for the Advancing Young Women in STEM Scholarship must:     

• Be a young woman (25 or younger) pursuing a STEM education/career
• Be a resident of New Mexico or currently enrolled in a New Mexico college/university
• Be a high school junior or senior applying for college/university in STEM, OR a current undergraduate in STEM
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Click here to apply.

The deadline to submit applications is March 8, 2025.