Scholarship Application Resources

How to Apply

This page will support you with the application process, writing a personal statement, and asking for a letter of recommendation

The College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) is committed to supporting your academic journey at UNM and offers a range of scholarships to assist you financially and recognize your achievements.

These resources are intended to help make the process of applying straightforward and easy, so let’s start.

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible students must:

  • Be an enrolled, full-time undergraduate student in an A&S program
  • Demonstrate financial need as defined by the UNM Scholarship Office
  • Maintain a minimum GPA (scholarship requirements vary; some will require a 2.0 and others may require a higher GPA)

What to Do Before You Apply

  1. Complete the FAFSA or State Aid Application: take care of this step before you apply for an A&S scholarship
  2. Complete a Personal Statement: your personal statement should describe your academic achievements, your extracurricular activities, and your financial need

Updated Guidelines

Writing an Effective Personal Statement for Your A&S Scholarship Application

Follow these steps when preparing your personal statement for submission:

  • Address your letter to the Arts & Sciences Scholarship Committee
  • Keep your statement concise (limit to one page, 1.5 spaced, with a 12-pt. font)
  • Include your anticipated graduation date
  • Break your statement into multiple paragraphs and avoid long paragraphs as they can be hard to read
  • Describe your background briefly: share where you come from or where you grew up
  • Explain what motivates you: highlight key mentors or influences and why they are important
  • Outline your current academic goals
  • Discuss your future career goals
  • Share your general life goals
  • Mention your financial aid situation: support your case for receiving a scholarship
  • Answer the question: What kind of impact would you like to make?
  • Be sure to sign your letter (either type-written or e-sign)

Upload your personal statement file as a PDF in the Microsoft Forms application link.

Letters of Recommendation Guidelines

Your application’s letters of recommendations:

  • Should be from current or former UNM faculty members or another higher education institution. Letters from Lecturers, Adjunct Faculty, and TAs are also acceptable
  • Can be from program coordinators, internship directors, high school teachers, or mentors as long as they are in addition to a faculty member’s letter as described

Important After-Award Steps

Students who receive a donor-funded scholarship are required to write a letter of thanks. More detailed instructions (and examples) are included in the PDF, but some important highlights are:

  • Send a typed thank-you letter within 2 weeks of your scholarship notification to prevent your award from being rescinded
  • Email your letter as a Word document to asthankyou@unm.edu
  • Include the full name of your scholarship and address the letter to "Dear Donor" or "To whom it may concern"

Submitting Your Application

  • Gather all your application materials (e.g. personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc.) and submit your complete application as a PDF in the online application
  • The application link will be on this Web site when the application period is live

Submission Deadlines

  • A&S scholarships are typically accepted for the upcoming academic year in spring
  • Check this page frequently for updates on application deadlines

Questions? Get in Touch

Please contact the A&S Scholarship Coordinator, Alice Hollow Horn, at asawards@unm.edu with questions or for assistance with applying for A&S scholarships.