Scholarship Applicant Information
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Scholarship Applicant Information
The Albuquerque Community Foundation manages over 25 scholarship programs so to help you understand the timing of some of our processes, here is a general timeline of a typical scholarship season:
- October– December: Start the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! You may need it, not only for financial aid, but some scholarship applications may require you submit your FAFSA, or information found within your FAFSA
- January: The Albuquerque Community Foundation scholarship applications open for the following academic year.
- January – April/June: Students can apply online and should plan sufficient time to retrieve all the documents and information needed to submit their applications by the deadline.
- April/June: Foundation staff and volunteer committees begin reviewing applications based on each scholarship fund’s guidelines and criteria. Once final eligibility is determined, recommendations are made, and selections are determined.
- April – August: Decisions are made, and applicants are notified. We will do our best to notify students prior to the May 1 Decision Day. However, we cannot guarantee notification of awards due to the lengthy review and selection processes each year. In some cases, we may even continue to notify students throughout the summer.
- May – October: If you are selected and notified of an award, you will need to take some additional steps during the summer to be sure we get all the information we need to prepare payment to your college/university. Keep an eye on the email you used in your application!
- July – August: Our first round of payments is prepared, for students that have completed their required steps.
- August – September: Institutions begin receiving scholarship payments.
Where do I go to complete an application? All applications are completed and processed online. Our ACF Scholarship Page is the best place to begin, and to check for updates on important information.
What do I need to complete my application? Complete your application by following the steps below
- Gather the following materials to upload to your application:
- Your Student Aid Report (SAR). You get this by applying for your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since it can take up to a few weeks to process, you will want to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible to have access to your SAR.
- Your most recent grade transcript.
- Any short essays and/or other documents required for some specific scholarships. Although some may be marked as optional, we encourage you to complete all that may be applicable to you.
Login to the Scholarship Application Portal.
- Returning Users: If you already have an existing account, log in with your username and password. DO NOT create a new account if you forgot your username and/or password or are locked out. Instead, please refer to the instructions in the related FAQs below.
- First Time Users: Register for an account. Keep in mind that the email you use to create your account will be the email to which all notices will be sent, including award notifications. We recommend using your personal email address.
From the portal, locate the Scholarship Eligibility Questionnaire. Complete the questionnaire to determine which scholarships you qualify for. If needed, you can begin applications and save them, then return later to complete and submit them before the deadline.
Submit your applications by the deadline date and time.
- You will receive an email notification from the webmaster confirming that you have successfully submitted your application. We highly recommend submitting applications early, as website traffic increases around deadline time, potentially causing connectivity problems and submission errors.
What should I do if I forgot my username and/or password? Do not create another account if you have forgotten your username or password associated with your existing account. Forgotten usernames and passwords can be accessed or reset accordingly by clicking on the links on the login homepage. If you still have trouble, please contact us at scholarships@abqf.org
In both instances, you will be required to submit your email address registered with your account.
I logged in incorrectly too many times and am now locked out of my account. Now what? We can help unlock your account. Send an email to scholarships@abqcf.org For verification purposes, the email should include your full name, the email address your account is registered under, and a brief description of how we can assist you. Or you can contact us via phone at (505) 883-6240, during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Can I change my username or email associated with my existing account? Yes, once you successfully login using your current account information, click on your account settings to update your username and/or email associated with your account. Any future notifications from us, including award notifications, will be sent to the email address currently associated with that account.
What are the basic eligibility criteria?
Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria defined by the donor when the fund is established. General criteria that apply to most scholarships include:
- Be a resident of the state of New Mexico
- Demonstrate financial need
- Attend an accredited two- or four-year not-for-profit institution within the United States as either an undergraduate or graduate student
- Be a full-time student as determined by your institution (some funds allow part-time status)
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (unless otherwise stated)
How do I obtain my Student Aid Report (SAR)?
All applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to obtain a Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains a Student Aid Index (SAI) If you choose to not upload a SAR to validate the SAI you reported, understand that your application may only be considered for a limited number of scholarships that do not require applicants to demonstrate financial need.
Your SAR will be sent to you after your FAFSA has been processed. Beginning October 1, you can start your FAFSA for the following academic year, by going to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information regarding the FAFSA process, please visit the FAFSA Help website at https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help.
What information needs to be on my uploaded Student Aid Report (SAR)?
Your uploaded report must be a current processed SAR which includes all pages or your
report, including your full name and Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation. Click here to see an example of the SAR
Some examples of SAR’s that will be deemed invalid are as follows:
- A SAR that does not match the academic year for which you are applying for funds
- A SAR that states that there is missing or incorrect information on your FAFSA which needs to be corrected or addressed
- A SAR on which the name listed does not match the name on your scholarship application
- A SAR on which the name and/or SAI cannot be clearly read, or in an attached file format that cannot be opened by ACF and/or its committee members
NOTE: The validity of your SAR is up to the discretion of ACF staff. Any SAR suspected of being doctored or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
What information needs to be on my uploaded grade transcript?
An official or unofficial grade transcript may be required for your applications. A valid transcript for scholarship qualification purposes must include all the following:
- The institution’s name
- The student’s full name
- A list of course history
- Current grades/information for each course:
- Transcripts for continuing college students must also include past semester grades/information
- Transcripts for high school seniors must include ninth through 11th grade at a minimum (if available, include grade 12 information)
- Current cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Transcripts should be as recent as possible and should not be a duplicate from a prior year application.
Some examples of grade transcripts which will be deemed invalid:
- A transcript without your most recent academic history
- A transcript on which the name listed does not match the name on your application
- A transcript that cannot be clearly read
- A transcript that does not include all pages and/or all course work
- A transcript in a file format that cannot be opened by ACF and/or its committee members
NOTE: The validity of your transcript is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff. Any transcript suspected of being doctored or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
What cumulative GPA do I use if I have a GED or am in a pass/fail program? If you have a GED or equivalent, enter “8.88” into the cumulative GPA question in the application. If you are in a pass/fail program which does not issue grades on a graded scale, please enter “9.99” into the cumulative GPA box. These instructions are also listed in the application.
What should I include in my required personal statements and/or essay questions? There are multiple short answer/essay statements included in our application process that help us gather the information we need to make determinations on applicant eligibility. Since the personal statement requirements can change from year to year, we encourage students to log in as soon as the application opens to review the statement prompts for that specific year. Keep in mind that your application may be read by ACF staff, selection committee members, and donors who may have established these scholarships.
Tip: Compose your essays in a Word document (or equivalent) first, and then copy and paste it into your application to avoid the system timing out. If your application requires you to upload an essay/statement, please follow the instructions within the application for the proper file format.
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation (LOR)? There are several scholarships which require applicants to submit one or more LOR to qualify. For these, it’s a good idea to request a minimum of two recommendations. To determine whether a particular scholarship requires an LOR, please search through our scholarships on the Scholarship Manager home page by using the filters on the Category Search Filter. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure LORs are received prior to application deadlines.
How are letters of recommendation submitted with my application? In the letter of recommendation (LOR) section of the application, enter your recommenders’ email address. The system will instantly send an email to your recommender with a link that is specific to your application. This link will allow recommenders to upload their letter directly to your application.
Once you have made your request, check in with your recommender to be sure they received the email from Albuquerque Community Foundation with a link to upload their letter. Many institutions and businesses put up strict firewalls to prevent unfamiliar emails reaching an inbox, so, if your recommender has not seen the email yet, encourage them to check their spam or junk folder. It’s also a good idea to let them know ahead of time that they will be receiving an email from Albuquerque Community Foundation and to check their spam/junk mail folder periodically for emails from this source.
Can I see if my recommender submitted their recommendation? Yes. You can view the status of your recommendations by logging into your account.
Who should I ask to complete my recommendation? When choosing a recommender, think of people who can speak to your academic performance, leadership capabilities, or community service involvement. This could be a previous or current academic instructor, a school counselor, a club advisor, a mentor, a coach, an employer and/or a church leader, etc. Please read the application carefully to determine who can be a recommender for a specific scholarship.
Some examples of invalid recommendations:
- Recommendations from parents, friends, and relatives
- Paper or hard copies of letters sent or delivered to ACF
- Recommendations in a file format that is unable to be opened by ACF staff or selection committee members
NOTE: The validity of a submitted letter of recommendation is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff and selection committees. Any letters suspected of being forged, doctored, or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
Can I change my recommender after an initial request has been sent? Yes. You may withdraw a request to a previous recommender(s) and send a request to a new recommender by logging in to your account prior to the application deadline. Contact us at scholarships@abqcf.org if you have any questions or wish to make a change.
Do I need to attach any other documents besides my SAR and grade transcript to submit my application? Additional documents may be needed to qualify for specific scholarships. Examples of additional documents may include but are not limited to: letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores for high school seniors, verification of organization affiliations, etc. If you do qualify for a scholarship with an additional document requirement, a section to upload (or request for LOR) that additional document will appear within your application. We recommend you search through our scholarships to determine what additional documents may be required for those opportunities. All additional documents must be uploaded and submitted with your online application.
NOTE: The validity of any documentation submitted is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff. Any documents suspected of being forged, doctored, or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
How do I know whether an answer, attachment, or essay is a required section to submit my application? All required answers or attachments are indicated with an asterisk. The system will also prompt you with an error message if you try to submit your application without filling out a required answer or section. Carefully review your application prior to submission. Submitting your application in advance of the deadline will allow you time to correct any missing/required answers.
If I am currently attending college, do I still need to upload my ACT and/or SAT scores? No. If you are currently enrolled and attending college, you do not need to attach your ACT or SAT scores. This is an optional document for current high school seniors only.
What if I don’t have a scanner to scan and upload my support documents? We highly recommend you format your documents as PDF files before attaching them to your application. You can download a free PDF converter on your computer or mobile phone to convert documents into a PDF format. There are online tools, including www.freepdfconvert.com or www.pdfonline.com. Your school or local library may also be able to help you convert paper documents to PDF files.
When will I be notified if I am awarded? You may be notified any time between April and August. All notifications will be sent by email after the selection committees meet and make their final decisions.
How will I know if I am awarded a scholarship? An award will be posted to your student portal online, which can be viewed at any time between April and August by simply logging into your account. An email notification will also be sent to the email address registered with that account as well as a notification via US Postal Service. The awarding process is extremely competitive and not all applicants will receive an award. However, we encourage you to apply every year.
How will I know if I have not been awarded a scholarship? An email notification will be sent to the email address registered with that account. The awarding process is extremely competitive and not all applicants will receive an award. However, we encourage you to apply every year.
What do I do if I receive an award notification?
- Complete and submit the Follow-Up Form to confirm your academic plans. Log into your account on the Scholarship Application Portal and accept each award. The email notification you received, as well as the award message online, will contain a link to the as well. We highly recommend that you complete your Follow-Up Form as quickly as possible after receiving your award notification.
- Write a thank you letter to the donor. Thank you notes are highly encouraged. Donors enjoy reading thank-you notes and are often eager to learn more about the person who is receiving their scholarship. If you receive a scholarship from a fund through ACF, you can easily complete a thank-you note online alone with your Follow-Up Form.
If I already submitted my Follow-Up Form but received another award after, do I need to submit another? Yes. You will need to submit a Follow-Up Form for each award you receive.
What if I already submitted my Follow-Up Form but my academic plans have changed? Contact us as soon as possible to inform us of any changes to your enrollment. If your check has not yet been processed, we will work with you to edit your Follow-Up Form as needed. If your award check has already been processed, we can discuss options to ensure your scholarship funds get to the correct institution.
What if I do not want to accept my award or I will not be attending school for the awarded academic year? We understand that circumstances may change between the time you submit your application and when scholarships are awarded. If you receive an award notification and do not wish to accept your award, reach out to our office to discuss your options. We ask that you do this as soon as possible, as this may allow us to award the funds to another deserving student.
What if I declined my award, but my plans have changed again? Contact our office as soon as possible so that we can determine what your next steps will be and whether you are still eligible for your award(s).
What will my scholarship award cover? Scholarships can be used for any educational expenses related to your school’s cost of attendance, which may include tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous school expenses for the awarded academic year. Every school has its own policies regarding private scholarships. Contact your financial aid office to learn more.
When will I receive the scholarship money? Scholarships are typically paid to your school beginning in August for the school year. The exact timing of each payment depends on different factors such as when the scholarship was accepted and if any changes have been made to your academic plan. Once awarded, you will need to submit the Follow-Up Form to confirm which school you will be attending. You will be considered for payment after your Follow-Up Form has been submitted and verified for eligibility. Regardless of how early you complete your Follow-Up Form, payments are not sent to institutions earlier than mid-August for the School year beginning with the Fall term.
What if my school does not use the semester system? Awards are still generally split between two payments. It is up to your financial aid office to determine how they will be disbursed. If you have questions regarding an off-schedule payment please contact our office.
Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education? No. ACF scholarships are generally intended to provide partial support. In addition to applying for ACF scholarships, we recommend researching other financial aid resources such as federal grants, institutional aid, and loans/work-study awards. A complete financial aid package can be put together by your college’s financial aid office and may include various types of financial aid.
How much will I receive in scholarships from ACF? Scholarship funds have varying award amounts. The award will depend on the size of each scholarship fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the preferences of the donor(s). Applicants are encouraged to complete the applications as thoroughly as possible (i.e., answer as many questions that are applicable, and provide essays as requested) to increase their chances of being eligible for scholarship opportunities.
Do I need to select the scholarships for which I want to apply? No. While you can search scholarships based on eligibility criteria and necessary documentation, the option to choose and apply for specific scholarships is not available. The Scholarship Application Portal will automatically match you to all scholarships for which you may be eligible once you complete your eligibility questionnaire.
If I receive a scholarship for one year, will I automatically receive an award for the following year? No. Students must complete the application process each year to be considered for a scholarship award the following year. However, some scholarship funds are committed renewals, in which case it will be your responsibility to log in to the Scholarship Application Portal to submit your Follow-Up Form before the start of the school year, and others may give preference to renewal applicants.
How is my financial aid determined and who is responsible for making that determination? The federal government determines your Student Aid Index (SAI) based on information obtained through your FAFSA. The Cost of Attendance (COA), calculated by individual institutions, is an estimate that includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Your institution may calculate financial need by subtracting your SAI from your COA. In other words: COA minus SAI equals Financial Need.
How do you select scholarship recipients? Committees made up of various community individuals and ACF staff who make recommendations for awards based upon the specific guidelines and criteria of each scholarship fund as established by its donor.
How do I start or contribute to an ACF Scholarship Fund? The cost of college is on the rise, and students need your help more than ever to achieve their goal of college completion. To contribute, contact us at (505) 883-6240 during our normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., MST.
The Albuquerque Community Foundation manages over 25 scholarship programs so to help you understand the timing of some of our processes, here is a general timeline of a typical scholarship season:
- October– December: Start the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! You may need it, not only for financial aid, but some scholarship applications may require you submit your FAFSA, or information found within your FAFSA
- January: The Albuquerque Community Foundation scholarship applications open for the following academic year.
- January – April/June: Students can apply online and should plan sufficient time to retrieve all the documents and information needed to submit their applications by the deadline.
- April/June: Foundation staff and volunteer committees begin reviewing applications based on each scholarship fund’s guidelines and criteria. Once final eligibility is determined, recommendations are made, and selections are determined.
- April – August: Decisions are made, and applicants are notified. We will do our best to notify students prior to the May 1 Decision Day. However, we cannot guarantee notification of awards due to the lengthy review and selection processes each year. In some cases, we may even continue to notify students throughout the summer.
- May – October: If you are selected and notified of an award, you will need to take some additional steps during the summer to be sure we get all the information we need to prepare payment to your college/university. Keep an eye on the email you used in your application!
- July – August: Our first round of payments is prepared, for students that have completed their required steps.
- August – September: Institutions begin receiving scholarship payments.
Where do I go to complete an application? All applications are completed and processed online. Our ACF Scholarship Page is the best place to begin, and to check for updates on important information.
What do I need to complete my application? Complete your application by following the steps below
- Gather the following materials to upload to your application:
- Your Student Aid Report (SAR). You get this by applying for your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since it can take up to a few weeks to process, you will want to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible to have access to your SAR.
- Your most recent grade transcript.
- Any short essays and/or other documents required for some specific scholarships. Although some may be marked as optional, we encourage you to complete all that may be applicable to you.
Login to the Scholarship Application Portal.
- Returning Users: If you already have an existing account, log in with your username and password. DO NOT create a new account if you forgot your username and/or password or are locked out. Instead, please refer to the instructions in the related FAQs below.
- First Time Users: Register for an account. Keep in mind that the email you use to create your account will be the email to which all notices will be sent, including award notifications. We recommend using your personal email address.
From the portal, locate the Scholarship Eligibility Questionnaire. Complete the questionnaire to determine which scholarships you qualify for. If needed, you can begin applications and save them, then return later to complete and submit them before the deadline.
Submit your applications by the deadline date and time.
- You will receive an email notification from the webmaster confirming that you have successfully submitted your application. We highly recommend submitting applications early, as website traffic increases around deadline time, potentially causing connectivity problems and submission errors.
What should I do if I forgot my username and/or password? Do not create another account if you have forgotten your username or password associated with your existing account. Forgotten usernames and passwords can be accessed or reset accordingly by clicking on the links on the login homepage. If you still have trouble, please contact us at scholarships@abqf.org
In both instances, you will be required to submit your email address registered with your account.
I logged in incorrectly too many times and am now locked out of my account. Now what? We can help unlock your account. Send an email to scholarships@abqcf.org For verification purposes, the email should include your full name, the email address your account is registered under, and a brief description of how we can assist you. Or you can contact us via phone at (505) 883-6240, during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Can I change my username or email associated with my existing account? Yes, once you successfully login using your current account information, click on your account settings to update your username and/or email associated with your account. Any future notifications from us, including award notifications, will be sent to the email address currently associated with that account.
What are the basic eligibility criteria?
Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria defined by the donor when the fund is established. General criteria that apply to most scholarships include:
- Be a resident of the state of New Mexico
- Demonstrate financial need
- Attend an accredited two- or four-year not-for-profit institution within the United States as either an undergraduate or graduate student
- Be a full-time student as determined by your institution (some funds allow part-time status)
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (unless otherwise stated)
How do I obtain my Student Aid Report (SAR)?
All applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to obtain a Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains a Student Aid Index (SAI) If you choose to not upload a SAR to validate the SAI you reported, understand that your application may only be considered for a limited number of scholarships that do not require applicants to demonstrate financial need.
Your SAR will be sent to you after your FAFSA has been processed. Beginning October 1, you can start your FAFSA for the following academic year, by going to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information regarding the FAFSA process, please visit the FAFSA Help website at https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help.
What information needs to be on my uploaded Student Aid Report (SAR)?
Your uploaded report must be a current processed SAR which includes all pages or your
report, including your full name and Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation. Click here to see an example of the SAR
Some examples of SAR’s that will be deemed invalid are as follows:
- A SAR that does not match the academic year for which you are applying for funds
- A SAR that states that there is missing or incorrect information on your FAFSA which needs to be corrected or addressed
- A SAR on which the name listed does not match the name on your scholarship application
- A SAR on which the name and/or SAI cannot be clearly read, or in an attached file format that cannot be opened by ACF and/or its committee members
NOTE: The validity of your SAR is up to the discretion of ACF staff. Any SAR suspected of being doctored or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
What information needs to be on my uploaded grade transcript?
An official or unofficial grade transcript may be required for your applications. A valid transcript for scholarship qualification purposes must include all the following:
- The institution’s name
- The student’s full name
- A list of course history
- Current grades/information for each course:
- Transcripts for continuing college students must also include past semester grades/information
- Transcripts for high school seniors must include ninth through 11th grade at a minimum (if available, include grade 12 information)
- Current cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Transcripts should be as recent as possible and should not be a duplicate from a prior year application.
Some examples of grade transcripts which will be deemed invalid:
- A transcript without your most recent academic history
- A transcript on which the name listed does not match the name on your application
- A transcript that cannot be clearly read
- A transcript that does not include all pages and/or all course work
- A transcript in a file format that cannot be opened by ACF and/or its committee members
NOTE: The validity of your transcript is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff. Any transcript suspected of being doctored or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
What cumulative GPA do I use if I have a GED or am in a pass/fail program? If you have a GED or equivalent, enter “8.88” into the cumulative GPA question in the application. If you are in a pass/fail program which does not issue grades on a graded scale, please enter “9.99” into the cumulative GPA box. These instructions are also listed in the application.
What should I include in my required personal statements and/or essay questions? There are multiple short answer/essay statements included in our application process that help us gather the information we need to make determinations on applicant eligibility. Since the personal statement requirements can change from year to year, we encourage students to log in as soon as the application opens to review the statement prompts for that specific year. Keep in mind that your application may be read by ACF staff, selection committee members, and donors who may have established these scholarships.
Tip: Compose your essays in a Word document (or equivalent) first, and then copy and paste it into your application to avoid the system timing out. If your application requires you to upload an essay/statement, please follow the instructions within the application for the proper file format.
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation (LOR)? There are several scholarships which require applicants to submit one or more LOR to qualify. For these, it’s a good idea to request a minimum of two recommendations. To determine whether a particular scholarship requires an LOR, please search through our scholarships on the Scholarship Manager home page by using the filters on the Category Search Filter. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure LORs are received prior to application deadlines.
How are letters of recommendation submitted with my application? In the letter of recommendation (LOR) section of the application, enter your recommenders’ email address. The system will instantly send an email to your recommender with a link that is specific to your application. This link will allow recommenders to upload their letter directly to your application.
Once you have made your request, check in with your recommender to be sure they received the email from Albuquerque Community Foundation with a link to upload their letter. Many institutions and businesses put up strict firewalls to prevent unfamiliar emails reaching an inbox, so, if your recommender has not seen the email yet, encourage them to check their spam or junk folder. It’s also a good idea to let them know ahead of time that they will be receiving an email from Albuquerque Community Foundation and to check their spam/junk mail folder periodically for emails from this source.
Can I see if my recommender submitted their recommendation? Yes. You can view the status of your recommendations by logging into your account.
Who should I ask to complete my recommendation? When choosing a recommender, think of people who can speak to your academic performance, leadership capabilities, or community service involvement. This could be a previous or current academic instructor, a school counselor, a club advisor, a mentor, a coach, an employer and/or a church leader, etc. Please read the application carefully to determine who can be a recommender for a specific scholarship.
Some examples of invalid recommendations:
- Recommendations from parents, friends, and relatives
- Paper or hard copies of letters sent or delivered to ACF
- Recommendations in a file format that is unable to be opened by ACF staff or selection committee members
NOTE: The validity of a submitted letter of recommendation is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff and selection committees. Any letters suspected of being forged, doctored, or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
Can I change my recommender after an initial request has been sent? Yes. You may withdraw a request to a previous recommender(s) and send a request to a new recommender by logging in to your account prior to the application deadline. Contact us at scholarships@abqcf.org if you have any questions or wish to make a change.
Do I need to attach any other documents besides my SAR and grade transcript to submit my application? Additional documents may be needed to qualify for specific scholarships. Examples of additional documents may include but are not limited to: letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores for high school seniors, verification of organization affiliations, etc. If you do qualify for a scholarship with an additional document requirement, a section to upload (or request for LOR) that additional document will appear within your application. We recommend you search through our scholarships to determine what additional documents may be required for those opportunities. All additional documents must be uploaded and submitted with your online application.
NOTE: The validity of any documentation submitted is up to the discretion of ACF’s Scholarship staff. Any documents suspected of being forged, doctored, or edited will be eliminated from review, and the applicant will not be considered for awards.
How do I know whether an answer, attachment, or essay is a required section to submit my application? All required answers or attachments are indicated with an asterisk. The system will also prompt you with an error message if you try to submit your application without filling out a required answer or section. Carefully review your application prior to submission. Submitting your application in advance of the deadline will allow you time to correct any missing/required answers.
If I am currently attending college, do I still need to upload my ACT and/or SAT scores? No. If you are currently enrolled and attending college, you do not need to attach your ACT or SAT scores. This is an optional document for current high school seniors only.
What if I don’t have a scanner to scan and upload my support documents? We highly recommend you format your documents as PDF files before attaching them to your application. You can download a free PDF converter on your computer or mobile phone to convert documents into a PDF format. There are online tools, including www.freepdfconvert.com or www.pdfonline.com. Your school or local library may also be able to help you convert paper documents to PDF files.
When will I be notified if I am awarded? You may be notified any time between April and August. All notifications will be sent by email after the selection committees meet and make their final decisions.
How will I know if I am awarded a scholarship? An award will be posted to your student portal online, which can be viewed at any time between April and August by simply logging into your account. An email notification will also be sent to the email address registered with that account as well as a notification via US Postal Service. The awarding process is extremely competitive and not all applicants will receive an award. However, we encourage you to apply every year.
How will I know if I have not been awarded a scholarship? An email notification will be sent to the email address registered with that account. The awarding process is extremely competitive and not all applicants will receive an award. However, we encourage you to apply every year.
What do I do if I receive an award notification?
- Complete and submit the Follow-Up Form to confirm your academic plans. Log into your account on the Scholarship Application Portal and accept each award. The email notification you received, as well as the award message online, will contain a link to the as well. We highly recommend that you complete your Follow-Up Form as quickly as possible after receiving your award notification.
- Write a thank you letter to the donor. Thank you notes are highly encouraged. Donors enjoy reading thank-you notes and are often eager to learn more about the person who is receiving their scholarship. If you receive a scholarship from a fund through ACF, you can easily complete a thank-you note online alone with your Follow-Up Form.
If I already submitted my Follow-Up Form but received another award after, do I need to submit another? Yes. You will need to submit a Follow-Up Form for each award you receive.
What if I already submitted my Follow-Up Form but my academic plans have changed? Contact us as soon as possible to inform us of any changes to your enrollment. If your check has not yet been processed, we will work with you to edit your Follow-Up Form as needed. If your award check has already been processed, we can discuss options to ensure your scholarship funds get to the correct institution.
What if I do not want to accept my award or I will not be attending school for the awarded academic year? We understand that circumstances may change between the time you submit your application and when scholarships are awarded. If you receive an award notification and do not wish to accept your award, reach out to our office to discuss your options. We ask that you do this as soon as possible, as this may allow us to award the funds to another deserving student.
What if I declined my award, but my plans have changed again? Contact our office as soon as possible so that we can determine what your next steps will be and whether you are still eligible for your award(s).
What will my scholarship award cover? Scholarships can be used for any educational expenses related to your school’s cost of attendance, which may include tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous school expenses for the awarded academic year. Every school has its own policies regarding private scholarships. Contact your financial aid office to learn more.
When will I receive the scholarship money? Scholarships are typically paid to your school beginning in August for the school year. The exact timing of each payment depends on different factors such as when the scholarship was accepted and if any changes have been made to your academic plan. Once awarded, you will need to submit the Follow-Up Form to confirm which school you will be attending. You will be considered for payment after your Follow-Up Form has been submitted and verified for eligibility. Regardless of how early you complete your Follow-Up Form, payments are not sent to institutions earlier than mid-August for the School year beginning with the Fall term.
What if my school does not use the semester system? Awards are still generally split between two payments. It is up to your financial aid office to determine how they will be disbursed. If you have questions regarding an off-schedule payment please contact our office.
Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education? No. ACF scholarships are generally intended to provide partial support. In addition to applying for ACF scholarships, we recommend researching other financial aid resources such as federal grants, institutional aid, and loans/work-study awards. A complete financial aid package can be put together by your college’s financial aid office and may include various types of financial aid.
How much will I receive in scholarships from ACF? Scholarship funds have varying award amounts. The award will depend on the size of each scholarship fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the preferences of the donor(s). Applicants are encouraged to complete the applications as thoroughly as possible (i.e., answer as many questions that are applicable, and provide essays as requested) to increase their chances of being eligible for scholarship opportunities.
Do I need to select the scholarships for which I want to apply? No. While you can search scholarships based on eligibility criteria and necessary documentation, the option to choose and apply for specific scholarships is not available. The Scholarship Application Portal will automatically match you to all scholarships for which you may be eligible once you complete your eligibility questionnaire.
If I receive a scholarship for one year, will I automatically receive an award for the following year? No. Students must complete the application process each year to be considered for a scholarship award the following year. However, some scholarship funds are committed renewals, in which case it will be your responsibility to log in to the Scholarship Application Portal to submit your Follow-Up Form before the start of the school year, and others may give preference to renewal applicants.
How is my financial aid determined and who is responsible for making that determination? The federal government determines your Student Aid Index (SAI) based on information obtained through your FAFSA. The Cost of Attendance (COA), calculated by individual institutions, is an estimate that includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Your institution may calculate financial need by subtracting your SAI from your COA. In other words: COA minus SAI equals Financial Need.
How do you select scholarship recipients? Committees made up of various community individuals and ACF staff who make recommendations for awards based upon the specific guidelines and criteria of each scholarship fund as established by its donor.
How do I start or contribute to an ACF Scholarship Fund? The cost of college is on the rise, and students need your help more than ever to achieve their goal of college completion. To contribute, contact us at (505) 883-6240 during our normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., MST.