Frequently Asked Questions


__________________________________________

Is this financial aid?

No. UNM financial aid information can be found at the Financial Aid Office.

↑Back to Top

What is the NISF?

NISF stands for National and International Scholarship & Fellowships. These prestigious and highly competitive opportunities are coordinated by UNM's University College NISF adviser.

↑Back to Top

What is an institutional nomination?

Some scholarships and fellowships limit the number of candidates who can compete for consideration each year. In these instances the University of New Mexico may only nominate a set number of students to compete in the national (or international) pool. To be considered for an institutional nomination, students must participate in the endorsement process and submit all required documentation before the posted UNM Deadline. This is not to say a student can begin the UNM submission process at any time; please check the individual scholarship pages to see when UNM issues its annual call for applications.

↑Back to Top

What do the UNM deadlines mean?

Scholarships and Fellowships often require processing at an institutional (UNM) level before they can be submitted for consideration by the scholarship foundation. In these instances, students must submit all required documents to the indicated UNM departments by the UNM Deadline in order to move forward in the process. This does not, however, mean that the student can begin the UNM process at any time. Please see individual scholarship listings for more information, or contact the University College Scholarship Advisor.

If no UNM Deadline is listed, then students are not required to submit paperwork at an institutional level. Nevertheless, all scholarships require students to submit academic records and often require essays, letters of reference, and curriculum vitaes. It is highly recommended students begin their applications long before the posted deadlines.

↑Back to Top

What do the Submission Deadlines mean?

The listed submission deadline after each scholarship posting is the deadline for submission provided by the scholarship foundations. Always check the scholarship or fellowship's website to verify these dates as they can change from semester to semester. If a UNM Deadline is also listed, then this opportunity requires applicants to secure paperwork or nominations from UNM prior to applying with the scholarship foundation itself. These deadlines will be enforced. All scholarships require students to submit academic records and often require essays, letters of reference, and curriculum vitaes. It is highly recommended students begin their applications long before the posted deadlines.

↑Back to Top

I missed the UNM deadline, can I still apply?

No. UNM deadlines exist in order to maintain fair competition between students and to ensure sufficient time for processing paperwork. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the following year.

↑Back to Top

If a scholarship does not require an institutional nomination, should I still contact the UC Scholarship Advisor?

Yes. Students interested in pursuing any opportunity on the list of National and International Scholarship & Fellowship competitions should contact the UC Scholarship Office. An adviser will be able to assess a student's application, make recommendations, aid in the application development, and perhaps point out other relevant scholarship opportunities. The NISF Adviser also provides support to students in the form of workshops, interview rehearsals, and application review to aid them in preparing for the competitions.

↑Back to Top

What materials will I need in order to apply?

Each scholarship is different. Some will require GRE scores, personal essays, and as many as eight (8!) letters of recommendation. All will require academic records. To see a list of individual requirements, check the "how to apply" section that follows the scholarship description and the foundation's website.

↑Back to Top

How do I get letters of recommendation?

See the How to Apply section where this is covered.

Please remember, the Scholarship and Fellowship opportunities outlined in the NISF lists vary. While some are national, others are international. Some reward students on merit alone, while others take into consideration the fiscal need, nation of origin, career goals, or minority standing of applicants. As a result, it is impossible to describe a single application process. Two (broad) recommendations exist:

It is important to give all potential referrers sufficient time to write and reflect on a letter of recommendation. Students should begin this process early and with great consideration for others' schedules.

If necessary, a student can request a letter of recommendation from the NISF Scholarship Adviser's office. A letter of recommendation is not the same as an institutional nomination. All institutional nominations will be issued through the official nominating committee.

↑Back to Top

How do I prepare for a scholarship interview?

See the How to Apply section where this is covered.

Scholarships that require interviews are looking to see whether the profile established in the application essays and letters of recommendations matches the living, breathing student in the room. It is not an oral exam, it is not a court hearing, it is an interview. Students should endeavor to present a well-rounded personality, a 'teachable' persona, and an intellectual appetite appropriate to the scholarship in question.

The University College will try to provide interview workshops that emphasize behavior and presentation skills. Please see the Events page for a calendar of upcoming workshops.

↑Back to Top

I'm not sure which opportunities to pursue, what do I do?

Check the scholarship and fellowship list organized by class standing here. The prerequisites, application process, and foundation websites should provide an outline of the expectations and responsibilities that accompany each competition. If, after reviewing these items, you are still uncertain about the fit of individual scholarships, please contact the UC Scholarship Office.

↑Back to Top