FEBRUARY 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS (MT)
Feb 17 | 9 AM-4:30 PM | NMSU Aggie Experience | Corbett Center Student Union, International Mall, Las Cruces: See what the day in the life of an Aggie looks like!
Mar 8 | 8:30 AM-12 PM | University of New Mexico Spring Preview | UNM Main Campus, Albuquerque: An open house for high school students and their families to explore academic programs, tour campus and residential halls, and learn about student life.
Apr 7-9 | RMACAC Annual Conference | Salt Lake City, UT: Join high school counselors, college admission professionals, independent education consultants, college and career counselors, and others who works with students going through the college search and admissions processes at RMACAC's (Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling) annual conference. RMACAC is a non-profit professional association consisting of over 500 people from secondary and post-secondary institutions that serve students in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
This is a professional development event and is not for students. Scholarships are available here.
VIRTUAL EVENTS (MT)
Feb 25 | 6-7 PM | The Secrets of Financial Aid: In this panel discussion, admissions counselors from Coalition member colleges will break down the basics of financial aid. Learn about key terms, essential forms like the FAFSA, and how the process works so you can prepare ahead of time.
Feb 26 | 12-1 PM | STARS Counselor Workshop: Case Studies: Attendees will have the chance to learn more about STARS resources and connect with fellow counselors at high schools and community-based organizations in rural or small-town areas. Each session is kept small to ensure everyone has an opportunity to add to the conversation, so spots are limited!
Mar 4 | 6-7 PM | STARS Virtual Panel: Rural and Small-Town College Students: Join a virtual panel with rural college students from Brown University, Colby College, University of Maryland, and University of Wisconsin-Madison to hear firsthand about their experiences adjusting to college life, finding community, and navigating a new environment.
Mar 11 | 6-7 PM | Junior Jumpstart: Learn how to start your college search as a high school junior, featuring admissions leaders from Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams. Students, family members, and counselors are also welcome to attend.
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers 10,000 students a year support in the form of mentorship, career services, and conferences. Selected students are also eligible, though not guaranteed, to receive scholarships ranging from $500-$5,000. The first round of the application doesn't require an essay. If eligible, students can apply every year, even through graduate school. The deadline is February 20.
Horatio Alger Association administers scholarship programs for current high school juniors and seniors. Each year, two juniors from every state win $25,000 and finalists win up to $10,000. You can use the filter feature to look at opportunities for seniors as well, but they are more limited. For students whose families earn less than $65,000 per year and who have overcome challenges. The application deadline is March 1.
The RMACAC Student Scholarship is a $1,000 award offered to three New Mexican students who exhibit a commitment to learning, demonstrate leadership skills, and are committed to serving their communities. The deadline to apply is March 7.
The Taos Community Foundation has seven scholarships available to students ranging from $250-$60,000. Some of them are for students in Taos, while others are not. The deadline to apply is March 10.
The Women at Microsoft Scholarship Program offers a one-time $5,000 award to twenty-six high school seniors who identify as women and plan to enroll full-time in a tech, engineering, math, or computer science related undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school. The deadline to apply is March 13.
Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative Electric Foundation & Tri-State Scholarships are two separate opportunities for current high school seniors whose parents or guardians are members of Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative. Awards may may be used at any two- or four-year accredited university, college, or vocational/technical school. The deadline to apply is March 21.
The Cobell Scholarship is for high achieving, community involved college students who are enrolled tribal members. Students can continue applying each year, including graduate school. The deadline to apply is March 31.
The Albuquerque Community Foundation has many scholarships available to students statewide. To start an application for any, register here for an account. The Sussman Miller Educational Assistance Fund (note: this is different than the fund of the same name at Santa Fe Community Foundation and has different rules) is the largest award available. It can award up to $8,000 to cover unmet need for both in- and out-of-state institutions. There is an extensive eligibility quiz to start, and the application has many parts. The deadline to apply for out-of-state colleges or in-state private colleges is April 3. Current college students may also apply.
The Hadden Scholarship awards up to $10,000 a year year to high school seniors with demonstrated financial need, for up to four years of college undergraduate study. Hadden Scholars must be U.S. citizens matriculating at a four-year accredited college or university established in the United States. There is a minimum unweighted grade point average requirement, 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The deadline to apply is May 15.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Bilingual College Admission and Financial Aid Glossary: Covers admissions, financial aid, and scholarship terms in both English and Spanish. Developed in-house by ROCA and Davis New Mexico Scholarship staff.
Coalition for College Recursos en Español: Spanish language webinars and resources for students and families.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students' College Search: Guide from the Human Rights Campaign and NACAC.
