Employee-Funded Scholarships

Investing in Our Future

Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund

In 1998, Los Alamos National Laboratory and its employees, retirees, and contractors partnered with the LANL Foundation to create the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund (LAESF). The fund’s goal is to provide scholarships that support the students of Northern New Mexico who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in fields that will serve the region.

Awards are based on academic performance (academic rigor, grade point average, and standardized test scores), leadership potential (extracurricular and community service activities), critical thinking skills, and career goals (relevant to LANL or local community needs). Financial need, diversity, and regional representation are integral components of the selections process.

Employee donors have a variety of scholarships to which they can contribute including

• Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship General Fund
• Los Alamos Employees’ Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Endowed Leadership Scholarship Fund
• Senator Pete Domenici Endowed Scholarship Fund

Recently, the LANL Foundation added the Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship Fund.

Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship Fund

The LANL Foundation, through LAESF, created the Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship fund in 2011. This fund awards scholarships to motivated students returning to a formal education, after a hiatus for other pursuits. These scholarship candidates may have left formal education for business, the military, or other reasons, possibly for an extended period, and are now seeking to expand their opportunities with a certificate or a two-year degree through a program in the regional area.

In 1997, the LANL Foundation was established “to enhance the vitality of Northern New Mexico by investing in education, learning, and community development.” In the ensuing years, Senator Domenici played a leadership role in obtaining a $35 million appropriation for the LANL Foundation’s endowment. That endowment has now grown over the years and has helped to fund educational enrichment programs in Northern New Mexico public schools.

For more information, go to the LANL Foundation website.

How to apply

LAESF includes scholarships for students seeking four-year degrees upon high school graduation, as well as awards for students returning to formal education, seeking two-year degrees or certifications after a hiatus for other pursuits. The application process and deadlines are dependent upon the type of scholarship being sought.

• Four-Year Degree Scholarship Application Process  (LAESF Scholarships)
• Two-Year Degree/Certification Scholarship Application Process (Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship)

Four-year degree scholarship application

Applications for 2013 awards will be accepted starting in October 2012.

Students interested in seeking a Los Alamos employees’ scholarship must submit a complete application that contains the following materials:

• Hardcopy application form or online application form
• Official academic transcript(s), covering at least two of the applicant's most recent years (High school students should also include transcripts from post-secondary institutions from which concurrent credits have been earned. College freshman must include both an official copy of their high school and current college transcripts.)
• Copy of SAT or ACT scores (high school and college freshman applicants only)
• Copy of SAT II scores, if available (high school and college freshman applicants only)
• Two letters of recommendation—one academic and one extracurricular—signed and in sealed envelopes or by email
• An essay of approximately 250 words describing personal objectives in pursuing a college degree
• Wallet-size photograph appropriate for publication purposes (not used for applicant review or recipient selection)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the online application form.
Application forms in PDF format may also be downloaded and submitted by mail.
Contact the LANL Foundation at (505) 753-8890 with any questions.

Mail all hard copies of the scholarship application and any transcripts or letters to
   LANL Foundation, Attn: Tony Fox
   1112 Plaza Del Norte
   Espanola, NM 87532

The LAESF Advisory Committee reviews all applications, conducts interviews, and makes award recommendations to the LANL Foundation Board of Directors. Personal interviews are conducted for finalists being considered for Platinum and Gold awards. The LANL Foundation Board makes all final decisions.

Two-year degree/certification scholarship application

Applications for the new Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship must be submited online.
Contact the LANL Foundation at (505) 753-8890 with any questions.

Applicants for the new Regional College/Returning Student Scholarship are strongly encouraged to complete the online application form. Application forms in PDF format may also be downloaded and submitted by mail. Contact the LANL Foundation at (505) 753-8890 with any questions.

Scholarships are awarded twice each year; deadlines are June 15 and December 15, 2012.

Mail hard copies of the application to
   LANL Foundation, Attn: Tony Fox
   1112 Plaza Del Norte
   Espanola, NM 87532