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

  • Please prepare your financial aid report and personal statement in advance, along with securing your letter of recommendation. The financial aid report and personal statement will be uploaded directly to the Qualtrics application link, while the letter of recommendation will be submitted separately via email to asawards@unm.edu.

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.