Scholarships
The English Department offers a number of awards annually to its undergraduates. Students interested in applying for awards should begin the application process by carefully reading the award descriptions as these may contain specific information about the application process not listed below.
Students may apply for more than one award and specify all the awards applied for in the letter of intent, but need only submit one application; the Scholarship Committee will consider your application for all possible awards.
In addition to other application materials specified by an individual award, all applicants must submit the following materials as a single .pdf file by April 1:
- Letter of Intent
- Like the letter of intent to declare a major in English, this letter should outline your academic interests, coursework, and accomplishments, along with any additional information related to specific awards to which you are applying.
- Writing Sample
- The writing sample of 3-5 pages should represent the student’s strongest work as an English major or minor and ideally should reflect the area of focus (literature, professional writing, creative writing) outlined in the letter of intent.
- Unofficial Transcript
- Download an unofficial transcript through the myUNM system.
- Curriculum Vitae (optional)
- Graduate students are encouraged to include the curriculum vitae; undergraduate students are welcome to include an optional résumé or curriculum vitae.
Additionally, a letter of recommendation must be sent from a recommender who is familiar with the student and his or her abilities as a writer and scholar. Whenever possible, this letter should come from a faculty member of the English Department at the University of New Mexico. Please be sure to inform your instructor that you have applied.
All letters of recommendation should be saved as a .pdf file and submitted here. Questions may be directed to Susan McAllister at samcallister@unm.edu.
Recipients of scholarship awards will be informed by May 1st, recognized at the English Department Graduation Ceremony, and featured on the English Department Blog. However, no financial award will be given until the recipient provides proof of having sent an acknowledgement of gratitude to the donor, in the form of a thank you letter.
Available Awards
Dr. E.A. Mares Award for Chicano Literature
Scholarship Objective: Encourage the study of Chicano literature, including poetry, and history
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $900
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduate student with declared English major or minor
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Virginia R. Fultz Fund for English Language and Literature Scholarships
Scholarship Objective: Seeks to recognize New Mexico students who major in a subject within the Department of English Language and Literature, either full or part time, with at least a GPA of 2.5, in good academic standing, and in need of financial aid
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $700
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Demonstrate commitment to broadening participation in English Language and Literature through active engagement in UNM or community-based programs, especially those that promote English Language and Literature as a career for women and members of underrepresented groups.
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Rudolfo Anaya Folklore Scholar Award
Scholarship Objective: Award scholarly achievement to a student studying New Mexico folklore, southwestern literature or regional literature
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $300
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student with an exceptional record who is involved in some investigative research and writing in the area of New Mexico Folklore.
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Bank of America Undergraduate Student Award
Scholarship Objective: Award for a student studying rhetoric and writing with a concentration in professional writing
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $1,500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
The student has to have declared a major in English
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Bank of America Returning Student Award
Scholarship Objective: Award for a returning student studying rhetoric and writing with a concentration in professional writing
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $1,500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
The student has to have declared a major in English
Be a returning student
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Reba Rutz Beidleman Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Award to a graduating senior who will be pursuing an English graduate degree
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $2,500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
The winner must be a graduating senior pursuing a graduate degree in English
Women will be given preference, but men are also eligible
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Additional Criteria:
Unofficial proof of either own or parental financial need
Lynda Gayle and Arthur John Brender Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: To support students in the English Department
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduate student with declared English major
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Elsie Fraley Demas and James Demas Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Support undergraduate scholarship and research in Honors English
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $1,000
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
All students enrolled in Honors English
Application Process:
Nomination by the Undergraduate Committee
Phyllis Flanders Dorset Scholarship in English Literature
Scholarship Objective: Encourage the study of literature
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $800
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduate student with declared English major
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Howard Dean Everett Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Encourage academic work among Native American Students majoring in English
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $2,000
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Major GPA of 3.0 or better
Financial need if more than one student is qualified
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Joseph C. Gallagher Scholarship for Study in Ireland and Europe
Scholarship Objective: Encourage academic study of any subject at an institution in Ireland, or the study of an Irish subject at any European university
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Full funding for tuition, travel and living expenses for a year of study abroad
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Must be a full-time UNM student (undergraduate or graduate). Current full-time undergraduates who wish to begin a one-year MA program at an Irish university beginning the following fall may also apply.
Must have completed, or be in the process of completing, at least two courses featuring an emphasis on Irish Studies, Irish Literature, Irish History, Irish Politics or Irish Culture, with an overall GPA of 3.25 or better.
Must demonstrate financial need.
Application Process:
Self-nomination. Applications available in the fall semester and due November 15. Contact Dr. Caleb Richardson (cwr@unm.edu) or Dr. Sarah Townsend (sltownse@unm.edu) for an application packet.
Hillerman/McGarrity Scholarship in Creative Writing
Scholarship Objective: Seeks to recognize students whose writing shows exceptional promise. In honor of the endowment’s founders, the late Tony Hillerman and mystery writer Michael McGarrity—both longtime residents of New Mexico
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $2,500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Open to undergraduates specializing in creative writing
Preference given to those students who demonstrate a link to New Mexico, its people and cultural traditions
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Irene B. Kimball Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Encourage the study of literature
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Full or part-time student in the college of Arts and Sciences (either graduate or undergraduate)
Demonstrated financial need
Preference given to Native American students
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Additional Criteria:
Unofficial proof of either own or parental financial need
Mary M. McDonald Scholarship Fund in English
Scholarship Objective: To support students getting a degree in English (either graduate or undergraduate)
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Application Process:
Self-nomination
The Dale and Ivan Melada Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Recognize exceptional achievements in Professional Writing
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $3,000
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduate student in professional writing, a minimum of 90 hours completed in the spring semester the award is announced
3.0 GPA or better
Application Process:
Nomination by an English department Rhetoric & Writing faculty member
Self-nomination
Katherine M. Simms Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Award best composition on any subject related to New Mexico
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $300
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Undergraduate students in professional writing, a minimum of 90 hours completed in the spring semester the award is announced
3.0 GPA or better
Application Process:
Nomination by an English department Rhetoric and Writing faculty member
Self-nomination
Katherine G. Simons Scholarship in English
Scholarship Objective: To support deserving undergraduate students who are successfully pursuing a course of study in the Department of English
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $500
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
Demonstrate academic achievement by maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.5 and 3.0 in the major study
Demonstrate financial need for scholarship assistance
Be enrolled as a full undergraduate student majoring in English
Demonstrate superior understanding and appreciation for the works of William Shakespeare
Application Process:
Self-nomination
Joseph B. Zavadil Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Objective: Undergraduate study of English medieval literature
Type of Award: Payment to Student
Value: Up to $300
Number of Awards Available: 1 per year
Minimum Requirements:
The award winner must haven taken courses in Arthurian literature, Chaucer, or comparative medieval literature
Have 3.5 GPA or better
Application Process:
Self-nomination
