Erin Trujeque Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Children's Cancer Fund of NM

Introduction
The Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico (CCFNM) provides services and financial support to children who have faced cancer and to their families, helping them manage the everyday challenges of living with and fighting the disease. The Erin Trujeque Memorial Scholarship supports students who were treated for childhood cancer in New Mexico.

Eligibility
- To qualify for the Erin Trujeque Memorial Scholarship, applicants must have been diagnosed with and treated for childhood cancer at a New Mexico Pediatric Oncology Treatment Facility, and an intake form completed at the time of diagnosis must be on file with CCFNM. Applicants must also meet CCFNM’s overall eligibility criteria for services.
- Applications must be completed in full and include all required documentation listed on the application checklist. Applications must be submitted before the published deadline.
- To receive the full scholarship amount, students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours per semester. Awards for enrollment under 12 hours will be prorated.
- If a student drops below 12 credit hours or disenrolls within the first two weeks of the semester, the scholarship award must be returned to the Erin Trujeque Memorial Fund for the student to remain eligible for future awards.
- Any change of address or change in educational status must be reported to Erin Trujeque Memorial/CCFNM.
- All scholarship recipients are required to reapply each academic year.

Volunteer Service Requirement
- Recipients must complete at least 12 volunteer hours per academic year with CCFNM and/or at Erin Trujeque Memorial events. Volunteer shifts will be scheduled and verified by CCFNM staff.
- Of the 12 annual hours, at least six must be finished before the start of the Fall semester and the remaining six before the start of the Spring semester of the same academic year.
- The volunteer requirement was created to:
- give recipients a chance to give back to the organization,
- help recipients learn how funds are raised,
- encourage deeper involvement with CCFNM,
- and foster understanding of the importance of supporting other children undergoing similar experiences.

Scholarship Award Details
- Eligible students may receive funding for up to eight semesters at the undergraduate level and up to four semesters at the graduate level.
- Scholarships are issued for only two semesters per academic year (examples: Fall and Spring; Spring and Summer; Summer and Fall).
- Award amounts for each academic year depend on available funding and the number of qualified applicants.

Scholarship Check Distribution
- Fall scholarship checks are mailed to the recipient’s college or university in late July or early August. Spring checks are mailed in late December.
- Applicants will receive an email notification when their school has been sent the scholarship check.
- Once a check is mailed, CCFNM cannot control how quickly the school posts the funds to a student’s account and cannot contact the school to confirm receipt. If CCFNM is contacted by the school about an issue with a check, the student will be informed. Otherwise, please check directly with your school’s financial aid office and allow time for processing.

Application Requirements

New Applicants must submit:
- A completely filled-out current-year application.
- A short essay describing how you have overcome your childhood cancer experience and how it has influenced your future goals.
- A recent, appropriate photo (no selfies). This image may be used at events, on the CCFNM website and social media, or in CCFNM publications.
- A list of all other financial aid you will receive. If you are not receiving any other assistance, include a signed statement saying so.
- A short video (.mov or .mp4) expressing gratitude for the scholarship and sharing information about your college experience. The video should include: your name; when you were diagnosed with cancer; how many years you have received the scholarship; the school you attend; your major; and your future goals. Submit the video to ccfnm@ccfnm.org.

Renewal Applicants must submit:
- A short essay describing the challenges you face in college and how the Erin Trujeque Scholarship has helped you address those challenges.
- A recent, appropriate photo (no selfies). This may be used at events, on the CCFNM website and social media, or in CCFNM publications.
- A list of all other financial aid you will receive, or a written statement that you are not receiving other assistance.
- A grade report from the previous semester.
- A short video (.mov or .mp4) expressing thanks for the scholarship and providing the same college-related information requested of new applicants (your name; when you were diagnosed; number of years receiving the scholarship; school; major; future goals). Send the video to ccfnm@ccfnm.org.

For questions or to submit application materials, contact CCFNM at ccfnm@ccfnm.org.