Scholarships
Scholarship Applications will be accepted in January 2026
The Del Norte LOV Initiatives Scholarship Program is part of a broader commitment to uplifting New Mexico communities by expanding access to education. Each year, the program provides financial assistance to high school seniors, homeschool students, and GED recipients who plan to pursue full-time study at an accredited university, college, or vocational school. By reducing financial barriers, the scholarship helps students take meaningful steps toward brighter futures—empowering them to build lives of opportunity, purpose, and impact.
Eligibility
For 2026, applicants to the Scholarship Program must:
- Be a local New Mexico resident who is a high school senior, equivalent home-school senior, or a recipient of a GED received in 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 2026-2027 academic year.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
Please Note: Scholarship America® is located in Central Time and the 3:00 PM deadline incorporates this time zone and the availability of customer service.
*Attention GED Students: GED must be received in the same year enrolled in higher education courses. Please update your Student Profile to indicate your Current Grade Level as High School Senior, and indicate 2026 for your high school completion year.
2026 Awards
For 2026, the authorized distribution for awards is a total of $29,000 that includes:
- 7 (seven) 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
- 2 (two) award at $5,000 with a minimum of 4.0 GPA or its equivalent.
- Assuming sufficient qualified applications, these 13 (thirteen) awards will be granted to high school senior, equivalent home school senior, or a recipient of a GED received in same year of higher education enrollment.
- We’ve partnered for 2025 with The Encantado Foundation to offer a $5,000 scholarship opportunity towards any recipient who pursues a STEM-related career path.
- Awards are for undergraduate study only.
- All applicants will be notified in April.
- If awarded, Scholarship America® processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Del Norte LOV Initiatives associated with Del Norte Credit Union in early August.
Program Administration and Partnership with Scholarship America®
The Del Norte LOV Initiatives Scholarship Program Associated with Del Norte Credit Union 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, 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.
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.
Young And Fun. An Account That Reflects You.
Get the ultimate account for those aged 18 – 25. No monthly fees, first twenty ATM fees free, free online bill pay, no minimum balance requirement and much more make the Free4Me account at DNCU your best choice for checking accounts.
Begin your lifelong financial success journey today
505-455-5228 or
(877) 818-3628 toll-free.
Disclosures
*GED must be received in the same year enrolled in higher education courses.