Scholarships
Helping New Mexico youth unlock their potential through the DNCU LOV Initiatives 2026 Scholarship Program
DNCU LOV Initiatives Scholarship Programs
Del Norte Credit Union (DNCU) is proud to bring its vision to life—improving the lives of youth and families across New Mexico through the expanded DNCU LOV Initiatives 2026 Scholarship Program. This year, we’re offering four scholarship opportunities totaling $47,000 to help students unlock their full potential.
Scholarships Available:
- General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America®
- Technical Trade Schools Scholarships at Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) and Central New Mexico College (CNM)
- Venessa Valerio Nursing Scholarship at NNMC
How to Apply:
General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America®
Apply online through the Scholarship America® online application portal starting February 5, 2026, and ending March 26, 2026, at 2 PM MST.
Technical Trade Schools & Nursing Scholarships
Apply directly through the financial aid offices at NNMC or CNM
Eligibility
General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America®
- Be local New Mexico residents who are a high school senior, equivalent home school senior, or a recipient of a GED received in the same year of higher education enrollment.
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
Technical Trade School Scholarships
- Students must declare a major in one of the NNMC or CNM Technical Trades Programs or designate a certificate program in the skilled trade area.
- Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours.
- Must be a U.S. citizen and a New Mexico resident.
- Must demonstrate financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Venessa Valerio Nursing Scholarship
- Student declares a major in NNMC Nursing Program
- Has a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Maintains full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must demonstrate financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Please Note:
General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America®
- All applicants will be notified in April.
- If awarded, Scholarship America® processes scholarship payments on behalf of the DNCU LOV Initiatives in early August.
- Program Administration and Partnership with Scholarship America®
The General Scholarship Fund is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance, and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor (DNCU), and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team. Awards for this scholarship are granted to eligible recipients without regard to creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national origin.
- The FAQ’s enclosed below are for the General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America®
Technical Trade Schools & Nursing Scholarships
- Awards for Technical Trades and Nursing programs are handled by the colleges listed.
2026 Awards
$47,000 in Scholarships—Your Opportunity Awaits!
General Scholarship Fund administered by Scholarship America® – $32,000 in total
- 5 (five) awards at $1,000 with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) or its equivalent
- 4 (four) awards at $3,000 with a minimum 3.5 GPA or its equivalent; and
- 3 (three) awards at $5,000 with a minimum of 4.0 GPA or its equivalent
- Assuming sufficient qualified applications, these 12 (twelve) awards will be granted to high school seniors, equivalent home school seniors, or recipients of a GED received in the same year of higher education enrollment.
Technical Trade Schools – $14,000 in total
- Northern New Mexico Community College – $7,000
- 1 (one) award at $2,000
- 5 (five) awards at $1,000
- Central New Mexico Community College – $7,000
- 1 (one) award at $2,000
- 5 (five) awards at $1,000
Venessa Valerio Nursing Scholarship at NNMC – $1,000 in total
- 1 (one) award at $1,000
Questions?
Contact Connie Tooker Nuñez, Director of the DNCU LOV Initiatives at [email protected] or 505-455-5456.
Apply Today. Shape Tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A school counselor, advisor, teacher or work supervisor that knows you well must fill out this section. A recommender cannot be a family member. Make sure you give them enough time to fill out and then return to you in order to turn in on time.
It is no longer required for a school official to sign off on the required transcript of grades. A current, complete transcript of grades is required. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
SAT/ACT scores are not required. If applicant has not taken tests, please leave these fields blank on the application. If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately.
— Chicqueeta W., DNCU scholarship recipientThis scholarship will help me achieve my goal of becoming a nurse, but it will also give me an opportunity to give back to underserved communities, much like the one I was raised in back home, in Washington D.C.
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505-455-5228 or
(877) 818-3628 toll-free.
Disclosures
*GED must be received in the same year enrolled in higher education courses.