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National Scholarships and Fellowships
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Quick Links
Firstly, it is highly recommended that all students interested in pursuing a scholarship contact the NISF Office in order to meet with a Scholarship Adviser.
Secondly, all deadlines are enforced.
In this section we cover:
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The 'How to apply' section of each scholarship should give a first contact or first step application instructions. In some cases, one can simply visit an external site (normally the scholarship foundation's own website) and independently begin, complete, and submit an application. Others will require contact with a UNM liaison, faculty sponsor, or scholarship adviser. In these cases a strict UNM deadline is provided.
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Deadlines: what they mean, why they're there
All opportunities listed in the Scholarship and Fellowship page will be accompanied by a box:
| UNM Deadline: | Submission Deadline: |
If it needs an institutional nomination*: The UNM Deadline box will hold a date or notice. This deadline is strictly enforced. For information on these application procedures, see the 'how to apply' section that accompanies the scholarship description. This does not, however, mean that students may begin their application the week or indeed the day before the deadline. The institutional nomination process itself has strict starting and ending deadlines. Please check the individual scholarships for these instructions. Interested applicants will need to first attend a NISF workshop, submit a preliminary application to the UNM review committee and compete at the UNM level for a nomination. After receiving this nomination, applicants will be given the national or international application that again must be submitted to the UNM review committee and then to the scholarship foundation.
If it needs an institutional endorsement: These are typically study abroad programs such as the Fulbright, Gilman, or Fellowships that require students to work with a faculty mentor. All materials must be submitted to the relevant faculty or administrative contact by the deadline.
If the first box reads: UNM Deadline: None then it is not necessary to apply with the scholarship office for a nomination or a UNM contact for an endorsement. Nevertheless, even these opportunities will require applicants to begin collecting academic transcripts, preparing essays, and letters of recommendation. It is advisable that students begin compiling their submission material as soon as the application becomes available.
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How to ask for letters of recommendation
When scholarships request letters of recommendation, they are looking for evidence that speaks to a candidate's character and achievements. Letters of recommendation from well known figures who have little knowledge of an applicant's individual talents and educational goals will count for less than a letter written by an 'unknown' community member who can speak to the research, community service, or personal virtues of a candidate.
As many scholarships specifically request at least one letter of recommendation come from a faculty member, it is recommended that a student approach professors who can describe your achievements and ambitions. Specifically, those who can focus on your 'educational tomorrow.' If, for instance, a student is currently a biology major and journalism minor, but the course of study that will be covered by the proposed scholarship is journalism, then a professor of journalism will most likely write the better targeted letter of support. Though students can, of course, approach specialists in both departments.
All letters of recommendation should emphasize past accomplishments but speak to future potential. Remember, scholarships are not monetary rewards for the successes of yesterday but about providing the means to achieve tomorrow.
How to get the best letter
When you schedule a meeting with your potential letter-writer consider bringing:
If you are unable to assemble all of this material, do not worry. Impressing upon a professor the importance of a Fulbright grant is not difficult. These materials, if available, simply help people to write a letter that is better targeted and 'on-task' with the rest of your application. Remember, it is not unreasonable for people to ask where you are applying, with whom, and to be curious about your dedication to seeing the application through.
If your application requires multiple recommendation letters, you may wish to, politely, indicate which aspect of your academic or research experience you would like each recommender to detail.
It is also important to give all potential referrers sufficient time to write and reflect on their letter. Students should begin this process early and with great consideration for others' schedules.
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How to write a scholarship essay
Every scholarship opportunity is unique. Nevertheless, the essay is always your first introduction to the foundation's award committee. It is vital that any written submissions be an honest, professional, yet personal reflection of you, the applicant. On this note, many scholarships will require honesty pledges to ensure that all content and editing was done by you and you alone. If the scholarship expects or allows applicants to work with a mentor, then feel free to present your material for review.
Remember to:
The NISF office has also prepared the following resources for your consideration:
Scholarship Essays Presentation.pdf
The Essay Worksheet (a Microsoft Word file) may be a useful practice tool. It is entirely voluntary. It presents a list of common essay prompts and sample questions.
The PDF form above is a list of essay tips and heuristics you may find beneficial.
This material is also presented during NISF Essay Workshops (see the Events page for Workshop schedules).
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How to prepare for a scholarship interview
Coming soon.
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