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College Connections

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College Connections 2024-11-25T11:22:30-07:00

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FAFSA

Each year, the federal government provides more than $150 billion in financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) for college or career schools. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible. Many colleges and career schools also use your FAFSA information to distribute financial aid. In some instances, schools won’t consider you for merit scholarships until you’ve applied for FAFSA. Each October, the FAFSA is available for the next school year, and the deadline to complete the application varies in each state. To learn more about the application process, please visit the FAFSA website.

FAFSA Myths Poster (PDF)

FAFSA Help

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New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation (NMEAF)

Provider of New Mexico Student Loans. NMEAF has been helping students and families for more than 35 years. There are a variety of avenues to research when determining the best way to pay for college. Most students and families use several different sources to finance higher education, such as student loans.

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FAFSA Home Page

Get started with your Federal Student Aid.

 

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FAFSA 101: 5 Tips for Applying

These tips can help students make filling out and submitting the FAFSA® easier and faster. Learn what you need to have ready, the best place to file the FAFSA®, and when you should submit it.

 

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Industry professionals

We’re in the business of providing responsible financial tools – and financial education.

 

Nitro Sallie Mae

Build Your Bridge to College

Nitro Next helps students and families plan for college. Understand the true cost of college and track your funding sources all in one place.

 

SAT & ACT

The SAT Suite uses a common score structure, providing consistent feedback across assessments to help educators and students monitor growth across grades and to identify areas in need of improvement. The SAT is an aptitude test that measures reasoning and college readiness. If a student took the PSAT exam, their College Board account can be linked to their Khan Academy account. By doing so, they will gain access to a variety of powerful resources, including free, personalized, online SAT practice, scholarship opportunities and college planning resources. All New Mexico colleges and universities accept the SAT.

The ACT is a curriculum-based test that measures academic achievement. In addition to being a college admissions exam, the ACT includes a profile and education/career planning section to help you plan for life after high school. You will receive personalized career information and develop a comprehensive profile that tells colleges about your work in high school and future plans. You can also see your strengths and weaknesses in the subject areas tested to help direct your future education. All New Mexico colleges and universities accept the ACT.

SAT vs. ACT

SAT FAQs

ACT FAQs

WorkKeys

WorkKeys is an assessment system that measures real-world skills that employers consider crucial for success. These skills are valuable for any occupation – skilled or professional – and at any level of education. Once applicants complete and earn qualifying scores on the WorkKeys assessments, the skill level results can be used along with a resume, interview, company test, and other company criteria during the hiring process. The WorkKeys three core assessments qualifies for a Career Readiness Certificate, a portable credential that confirms the workplace skills of the individual.

Scholarship Opportunities

The following list is not meant to be a representation of all currently available scholarships, and the information provided for each is a general overview. For detailed information, please click on the links provided to visit each scholarship webpage. It is also important that you visit the scholarship pages of the schools that interested you.

  • Advancing Young Women in STEM Scholarship
    • Young women (25 or younger) pursuing a STEM education/career
    • A high school Junior/Senior applying for college/university in STEM, OR a current undergraduate in STEM
  • Andrew Piech Memorial Scholarship
    • Provides assistance to students in the field of Automotive Technology and related Applied Technologies
    • Students must pursue a degree or certificate from a nonprofit or public school or an automotive or technical vocational institution including community colleges
    • Deadline: June
  • Carl F. Scott Scholarship Fund
    • Awards given annually for students working toward a 2- or 4-year degree, master’s or doctoral degree
    • Students must be the biological, stepchild or adopted child of a member of the Tucumcari Lodge No. 27 AF & AM
    • Deadline: April
  • Daniels Scholarship
    • The Daniels Scholarship seeks students with great potential, strong character, and big dreams.
    • Students must demonstrate financial need (under $100,000 AGI), be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and be current high school seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, or Utah.
    • Earn a minimum SAT Math score of 490, a minimum Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 490, or a minimum ACT score of 18 in each category.
    • The application is open each year between mid-September and mid-October
  • David R. Woodling Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • Supports students attending an accredited nonprofit or public educational institution in pursuit of a certificate or degree in a metals technology program  with a concentration in machine tool technology and welding
    • Applicants may be graduating  high school seniors, current undergraduate college students or they may be pursuing or have received a GED diploma or certificate
    • Deadline: June
  • Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
    • Available for sons and daughters of U.S. Marines and Navy Corpsmen, enrolled in CTE programs nationwide
    • Applications are open year-round, beginning in January
  • New Mexico Alliance for Hispanic Education Scholarship Database
    • Applicants must be of Hispanic Heritage and a resident of New Mexico
    • Must be a full-time student in an accredited U.S. institution and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Applications open in January
  • New Mexico Lottery Scholarship
    • Students must be a resident of New Mexico
    • Students must have graduated from a public or accredited private New Mexico high school or received a high school equivalency credential
    • Students must enroll full-time at a public post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico within sixteen months of graduation or receipt of a high equivalency credential and maintain continuous full-time enrollment and maintain a 2.5. GPA
  • Sussman-Miller Educational Assistance Award Program
    • Provides financial assistance to address the ‘gap’ in financial aid packages for both students graduating from high school and those continuing their education
    • Must be a federal financial aid recipient
    • Deadlines:
      • May for applicants planning to attend out-of-state schools or in state private schools
      • June for applicants planning to attend an in-state public school
  • Youth in Foster Care Scholarship Fund
    • Provides assistance to young adults who have been in the New Mexico foster care system and who want to develop a marketable skill or continue their education at a post-secondary school
    • In the New Mexico foster care system for a minimum of one year
    • Deadline: June

 

For more scholarship opportunities, check out the most recent issue of the CCRB Newsletter.

Page last updated November 25, 2024
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