TCF Scholarships Logo

Scholarships

Taos Community Foundation Scholarships provide opportunities for New Mexico students to pursue their educational goals

The 2024 TCF Scholarship Cycle Has Closed

The TCF scholarship portal will be open to applications starting Monday, January 8th 2024, and will close on Monday, March 4th 2024.

The scholarship portal can be found on the Taos Community Foundation website using the following link:

https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=taoscfscholarships

There are 8 separate scholarship applications available this year. Applications must be completed online. You will first need to register in the scholarship application system by creating an account. We suggest creating your account well in advance of the deadline to avoid any last minute issues. At the time of registration, you are required to enter the following information:

  • Your email address.
  • Your contact information

Once you have registered, your account dashboard is displayed on the screen every time you log in.
From the dashboard you can do the following:

  • Edit your contact information
  • Begin the application process
  • Access application drafts and submitted applications

Tutorials for assisting you with the application process can be found on the login page. Click here to access the TCF Scholarship Portal.

FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

Provides up to $60,000 for applicants who are the first in their family to attend a New Mexico college, or a college that is part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).

Essay Questions (subject to change):

Please submit a one-page personal essay. The essay is intended to be an open, reflective essay where you can tell us about yourself.

Topics may include:

• What life experiences have shaped who you are today?

• What are your academic and career goals and your plans to achieve them?

• Have you had particular challenges as a learner or otherwise in your life that you have overcome?

BEATRICE T. AND VIRGIL D. GUTIERREZ LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

Provides up to $14,000 for seniors graduating from High Schools in Taos County, with a preference to those students who intend to pursue studies in mathematics, education or science.

Essay Questions (subject to change):

Essay question #1:

  • In one page or less, please describe an experience where something you planned did not go as you expected. What did you learn from the unexpected outcome?

Essay Question #2:

  • In one page or less, please describe who you are as an emerging scholar. What values inform your current and future interests and how might these values impact your future studies?

MANUEL AND FILLIE GARCIA HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP

Provides up to $4,000 for Hispanic students pursuing higher education.

Essay Questions (subject to change):

  • What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you? Please do not exceed one page.

  • Please submit your one-page personal essay. Applicants are encouraged to focus on the following: achievement, community service, motivation, character, obstacles overcome, or unconventional/unique life experiences.

TAOS DIPLOMATS SCHOLARSHIP

Provides $1,000 to students who are pursuing a degree in international affairs, political science, or public and government policy.

Essay Questions (subject to change):

Please submit your responses to the prompts below as either an essay, or a photo collection with explanations. You may select Option 1 or Option 2:

Option 1: Photo collection and explanation: Please answer both questions.

Submit at least 10 photographs and written explanations of how the photos answer the following questions:

  • We often think of diplomats as government officials who represent our country, however, regular citizens also represent the U.S when they travel abroad. How do you think ordinary U.S. citizens act as diplomats and represent their country when traveling abroad?
  • How will you use this scholarship award to learn about the world?

Option 2: Essay: Please answer both questions.

We often think of diplomats as government officials who represent our country, however, regular citizens also represent the U.S when they travel abroad.

  • How do you think ordinary U.S. citizens act as diplomats and represent their country when traveling abroad?
  • How will you use this scholarship award to learn about the world?

EDGAR MEYER SCHOLARSHIP

Provides between $400 and $4,000 to students planning to study and pursue careers in the field of healthcare and education.

Essay Questions (subject to change):

  • How would this award make a difference towards pursuing your goals? (500 words or less)

  • What drives you? What are you passionate about? (300 words or less)

FRIEDMAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Provides $8,000 to students seeking furthered education. The applicant or applicant’s parent, guardian or close relative must have worked at the Taos Ski Valley for at least one season. This includes any position that is geographically within Taos Ski Valley.

Essay Questions (subject to change):

  • Please submit your 1-page personal essay explaining why you believe you are a good candidate for this scholarship.

CLAUD HYATT SCHOLARSHIP

Provides up to $8,000 to students from Clayton High School (323 South Fifth St. Clayton, NM 88415).

Essay Questions (subject to change):

Please provide your reflection in one or two paragraphs for each of the following prompts:

  • Who is your hero and why?
  • Describe one of the major challenges you have experienced in life and what you learned from it.
  • What are you most proud of in your life?
  • What to you is most important in life and how will you foster this in others?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Bridges Project for Education

Bridges is a local organization that will help students with applications and financial aid, and guide students in making informed choices about the best college for their needs (income, learning style) and academic, career and life goals.

Address: 630 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571

Phone: (575) 758-5074

Website: https://www.bridgesproject.org/

UNM Taos Hub of Internet-Based Vocation and Education (HIVE)

HIVE offers an individualized learning journey for those interested in working online or becoming an entrepreneur. The “hive” environment combines small business coaching and mentorship, a coworking space, and community college classrooms to support any stage of learning in an accepting, accessible, and community-led atmosphere.

Address: 1146 Gusdorf Rd, Taos, NM 87571

Phone: (575) 779-5858

Website: https://taos.unm.edu/community/hive.html

A Guide to Writing your Scholarship Essay:

For assistance with writing a scholarship essay, please refer to the following resource provided by the University of New Mexico. This is a valuable tool to provide students with some insight into how an applicant might think about approaching scholarship essays, and what content the committee reviewers are typically looking for in these essays:

Click here to download UNM’s Application Essay Guide

Interested in Starting A Scholarship?

Endowed Scholarship Funds provide grants for educational purposes at both graduate and undergraduate levels. Donors may recommend an academic focus for a Scholarship Fund (e.g., nursing or the arts) and eligibility criteria (e.g., financial needs, academic merit, geographic residence, community service).

Scholarship funds are subject to TCF board approval. Guidelines are developed for each Scholarship Fund.

To learn how you can establish an endowed scholarship fund at Taos Community Foundation, please contact info@taoscf.org or call 575-737-9300.

"I really could not have gone to college without a scholarship from the Taos Community Foundation. The scholarship was such a blessing for not only me and my family. My mom did not have to worry about working extra to help me pay for school and gets to relax and know that I am set when it comes to financial responsibilities."
- 2024 TCF Scholarship Recipient

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The following scholarship opportunities are not administered by Taos Community Foundation, and are subject to change.

TAOS PUEBLO SCHOLARSHIPS

Taos Pueblo funds the scholarship program for Taos Pueblo students enrolled in an accredited college or university. It is the main goal of this program to assist our Taos Pueblo tribal members with the costs associated with pursuing a higher education degree. Taos Pueblo is dedicated to assisting students with any and all aspects of preparing, applying, and navigating through the higher education experience.

Phone: 575-758-5990

Email: scholarships@taospuebloeducation.com

Website: https://taospuebloeducation.com (By clicking on this link, you will be redirected away from Taos Community Foundation)

CENTINEL BANK OF TAOS SCHOLARSHIPS

Centinel Bank scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors in Taos County. Centinel started it’s Scholarship Program in the 1980s. Since then, the program has grown significantly and represents Centinel’s belief that supporting youth and education is a direct investment in the future of our community. Scholarship applicants must be graduating high school seniors and must reside in or attend school in Taos County.

Email: community@centinelbank.com

Website: Centinel Bank Scholarship Application Form (By clicking on this link, you will be redirected away from Taos Community Foundation)

KIT CARSON COOPERATIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

Kit Carson scholarships are awarded to qualified students who attend either a public or private school and whose parents are members of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., or receive service from Kit Carson Internet or Kit Carson Propane and reside within the service area of the Cooperative.

Website: Kit Carson Cooperative Scholarships (By clicking on this link, you will be redirected away from Taos Community Foundation)