Scholarships and Internships
Some facts you may need to know about CNM:
- CNM is an accredited institution
- CNM is a Hispanic-Serving Institute (HIS)
- CNM is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
Scholarships
In your scholarship search, remember to check out all the CNM scholarships first.
Some of the scholarships listed below may have been discontinued or are “on hold” until the granting institutions have more money. However, there are still some scholarships out there!
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
HSF empowers families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional students as possible.
Women on Par Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
The Women on Par Scholarship Program, provided by the LPGA Amateur Golf Association, provides financial assistance to “non-traditional” female students. These scholarships are intended for women age 30 and older who are attending a college or university for the first time or returning to school after an absence. The scholarships are designed to help these women get “on par,” or get an equal footing, with their peers, friends and other women who have had a chance to complete their college education.
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides need-based scholarships to the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who attend college or career training.
Phi Theta Kappa Society’s Spring Common Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa is the official international honor society for two-year colleges. Its main function is to reward the hard work of students who excel academically, to organize service projects, and to coordinate honors study topics. You must join CNM’s chapter of PTK before you can be eligible for the scholarship.
AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) offers several scholarships for full-time students who are deaf and hard of hearing and who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited mainstream college or university. AG Bell Scholarships are merit-based and award selection is highly competitive. On average, about 15% of applicants are selected for an award. The number and amount of awards varies from year to year. Financial need has little impact on award selection; rather, the selection committee is looking for strong leaders with academic excellence and great character.
American Council of the Blind
All legally blind, full-time students admitted to academic and vocational training programs at the post-secondary level for the upcoming school year are encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships. Part-time students who are working full-time are also invited to apply for the John Hebner Memorial Scholarship. A cumulative grade point average of 3.3 is generally required, but extenuating circumstances may be considered for certain scholarships. Applicants must be legally blind in both eyes.
HACU Scholarships
HACU is the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. They offer several different scholarships to HACU-member colleges. You do not need to be Hispanic in order to qualify for a scholarship.
Patsy Takemoto Mink Scholarship for Single Mothers
The Foundation will offer five Education Support Awards of up to $5000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training. Awardees will be selected based on 1) financial need; 2) personal circumstance; 3) educational path; 4) vocational or occupational goals, and 5) service or activist or civic goals.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Applicants must be one of the following:
- The dependent child of a U.S. soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman or marine who has become permanently disabled (100% VA disability rating) as a result of an operational mission or training accident
- The dependent child of a U.S. soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman or marine who has been killed in action
- The dependent child of a U.S. soldier, sailor, Airman, guardsman or marine who has been classified as a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA)
Soroptomist Women's Opportunity Awards
Program assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. To be eligible, you must be a woman who provides the primary financial support for her family; must demonstrate financial need, and must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF)
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy, is a 10-week summer internship program that provides opportunities to students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology (IT), engineering, or mathematics (STEM majors). The goal of the program is to improve opportunities for minority and female students in these fields, but all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates who are selected will have the opportunity to work on focused research projects consistent with the mission of the Office of Fossil Energy.
INROADS Internships
The Mission of INROADS is to develop and place talented under-served youth in business and industry, and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. These paid internships are highly competitive. You will be placed with a participating company, and the goal is for that company to hire you once you have completed your degree.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) in Washington, DC, offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship three times annually. The fellowship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of color. Each candidate should have an excellent academic record and also have demonstrated interest or experience in nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and the social sector; excellent research and writing skills; demonstrated financial need; and U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency.
This is not a scholarship. The student must be able to work as an intern for 12-15 weeks in the Washington, D.C. office of the Aspen Institute during the academic semester in which the fellowship is awarded. Fall and Spring interns will work part-time (15-20 hours per week) and Summer interns will be full-time. All travel and housing costs must be covered by the student.
A fellowship stipend of approximately $2,000 will be awarded to the Fall and Spring intern and approximately $4,000 will be awarded to the Summer intern.
Read each scholarship carefully to be sure you meet the qualifications. Many scholarships require you to have a minimum GPA (grade point average). Other requirements that scholarships may ask for include:
- A certain number of college-level credits
- A specific major or area of study
- Anticipated graduation date
- Age (traditional or non-traditional students)
- Ethnicity
- Where you live
- Income
- Gender
- Work experience
- Leadership experience
- Volunteer work
- Participation in student organizations or clubs
- Participation in a religious organization
- Participation in a particular program (such as TRIO programs)
Scholarships usually require 1-3 letters of reference. Some scholarships ask you to submit letters of reference from very specific sources, such as an employer, an advisor, or a faculty member.
Be sure you have the “right” people to ask for letters of reference. This means that the person should know you well enough to write you a positive letter and should be comfortable writing such letters. It can be helpful to furnish these people with a copy of your personal statement and/or your resume. You can also supply them with a list of things you would like them to talk about that are relevant to what the scholarship committee is looking for.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you ask people for letters of reference WELL IN ADVANCE of the DEADLINE. You need to give them enough time in their busy schedules to complete the task. All letters of reference should be typed in the business style format, preferably on business or school letterhead.
CAREFUL! Some scholarship applications require you to submit “SEALED” letters of reference. This means that the person who writes it for you must put it in an envelope and sign their name across the back seal. The envelope should include the name of the scholarship committee and your name.
For example:
TO: Hispanic Scholarship Fund Committee
RE: Betsy M. Lopez
The person who writes you a sealed letter is NOT REQUIRED to provide you with a copy. However, most people are happy to share their letter with you and you might want to ask them for a copy for your files.
This is usually the most crucial part of your application and the part that the scholarship committee spends the most time evaluating. Sometimes it is called a “letter of intent” or a “personal essay."
The simplest way to write your personal statement is to first tell about your educational goals and future plans. Then, discuss what you have done so far to reach those goals, including how you dealt with any obstacles or challenges. Next, discuss what you have remaining to do to reach your goals and what challenges you still have. This is usually a good place to address the financial reasons you may have for applying for the scholarship.
It is important to give the reader enough detail so that they understand your situation. However, while they can appreciate the obstacles you have to deal with, they may not want to read a long, emotional life history. DO tell them about your life-changing experiences: be positive and demonstrate to the committee that you are worthy of their consideration.
DO put your essay in business letter form. For the salutation, you can say “Dear Members of the Scholarship Committee” or “To Whom It May Concern."
DO thank the committee for considering your application.
DO treat your essay like an important paper for one of your classes. Have a few different people read it over and be sure it is well edited.
Some applications may require you to submit a resume. If so, be sure you submit it in whatever format they specify.
Some applications may require you to answer additional questions in a specific space provided; some will allow you to attach a page. ALWAYS plan out your answers (through writing) before you type them on to the form!
MAKE A COPY! Keep a copy of everything you are submitting for your own records. You’ll have it to refer to when you apply for other scholarships.
BE SURE TO MEET DEADLINES FOR MAILING YOUR APPLICATION! Some may have a “due by” date, and others may have a “posted by” date.