2019 Scholarship Opportunities 

***UPDATE***

Thank you all for submitting scholarship applications. The deadline to submit an application and supporting materials has passed. Applications will soon be under committee review.

-Taos Community Foundation Staff

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Taos Community Foundation is hosting 5 separate scholarships for Taos and Western Colfax County High School Graduates wishing to pursue higher education. Students may apply for multiple scholarships, provided they meet all listed criteria for each scholarship award.

Blake Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Description: Established in 2003, this award is available to graduating seniors in Taos or Western Colfax County for students pursuing the advancement of higher education. The scholarship is available to those applying to 4-year colleges and universities as well as 2-year vocational/trade schools.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicant or applicant’s parent or guardian MUST have worked at Taos Ski Valley, Inc. for at least one ski season. 

Friedman Family Scholarship

Scholarship Description: Established in 1998, this award is available to graduating seniors in Taos County for students pursuing advancement of higher education. The scholarship is available to those applying to four year colleges and universities as well as 2 year vocational/trade schools.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicant or applicant’s parent or guardian MUST have worked at Taos Ski Valley, Inc. for at least one ski season or any position geographically located in Taos Ski Valley.

Manuel & Fillie Garcia Hispanic Scholarship

Scholarship Description: Established as a permanent fund of Taos Community Foundation in 2011. The award is to graduating seniors in Taos and Western Colfax Counties for Hispanic students pursuing advancement of higher education.

Eligibility Criteria: Open to a student of Hispanic descent.

Beatrice T. and Virgil D. Gutierrez Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship Description: Established in 2018 by the children of Beatrice and Virgil Gutierrez. Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez devoted their lives to teaching in Taos Public Schools. The scholarship will be available to seniors graduating from Taos High School. 

Eligibility Criteria: Open to graduating seniors ONLY from Taos High School, who plan to pursue advanced studies in math, science, or education by attending a 4 year college or university.

First Generation Scholarship

Scholarship Description: Taos Community Foundation is offering a premier scholarship award to High School Graduates wishing to pursue advancement of higher education. This scholarship is to enable a student as a first- generation learner in their family to seek higher education.

The First Generation College Scholarship is a comprehensive college scholarship available to students who are the first in their families to be pursuing higher education. which pays towards the costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies. It is a supplemental or last dollar scholarship and therefore secondary to all other grants /scholarships awarded to the scholar. After considering the student’s other community or academic institutional awards, the First Generation Scholarship Fund will pay toward the remaining costs of the scholar’s education. The amount of the scholarship is unique to each scholar and can vary from year to year, and could be up to an annual award of $15,000.

Eligibility Criteria: The following will be assessed by the scholarship committee through application/essay materials. Scholars may also be asked to participate in an interview/meeting.

  • High School GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Achievement – academic and personal
  • Demonstration of a robust High School academic transcript that includes any Advanced Placement courses as available at your High School and /or dual credit courses at UNM Taos
  • Community service/involvement
  • Motivation for continued learning and academic advancement
  • Personal character