Counselor’s Corner

December 19, 2016

Organ Transplant Awareness Program

This is an essay contest sponsored by the Organ Transplant Awareness Program of New Mexico. This year there will be two $500 scholarships awarded to New Mexico high school seniors. The awards are in memory of Betty Montoya, kidney recipient and Jaime Munoz, double lung recipient. Eligibility requirements include: high school seniors attending a public, private, or home school in NM; have a gpa of 2.0 or above; intend to enroll in an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school. Applications are available in the HHS Counseling Office. February 14 is the deadline to apply.

Hobbs Masonic Lodge Scholarship

Each year, through the Hobbs Masonic Lodge Scholarship Program, the Hobbs Masonic Lodge supports four young scholars from Hobbs, New Mexico. One student is awarded the Hobbs Masonic Lodge Distinguished Scholarship and three are awarded Hobbs Masonic Lodge Scholarships. Applications are due March 31. Applications are available in the Counseling Office.

Cappex.com Scholarships

Looking for college scholarships? At Cappex.com, students can uncover millions in scholarships from colleges, universities, private companies, foundations and more. Simply fill out a free profile and discover college scholarships from many sources. Search the world's largest single source of merit aid scholarships from colleges. For more information go

Albuquerque Foundation Scholarships

Who doesn’t need help going to college? We offer $150,000 in scholarships. Each of our 18 scholarship programs were established by a donor with individual interests and priority areas. They represent a broad diversity of people who care about education. They want to help you reach your goals. Please visit for more information. Scholarship deadlines range from March 18 – June 23.

What Drives You? Jiffy Lube Teen Driver Scholarship Program

Your neighborhood Jiffy Lube owner in New Mexico is offering an educational and scholarship opportunity for driver education students and all teen drivers attending area high school. The unique “What Drives You?” scholarship program allows students to express their “inner drive” and personal ambitions with a simple 500 word essay—no other requirements. There are two separate scholarship categories. The “your turn behind the wheel” award will be offered only to those students enrolled in driver education during this school year and the “Teen Driver” scholarship award is offered to all other eligible licensed teen drivers. There will be an overall recipient of $2,000 in both scholarship categories. Also, we will award $500 to the school with the most essays submitted. Applications, guidelines, and complete eligibility requirements can be found at

Scholarship for 14-19 Year Olds

This contest is open to all US citizen or legal residents who are students between the ages of 14 – 19. In 500 – 800 words, answer the following question: The Founders believed in the sanctity/vital importance of the individual liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. To what extent (or in what ways) has our government compromised on these liberties in the name of security or the general welfare? In your answer, incorporate the principles and specific examples that support your conclusion. For more information, please visit

New Mexico Leadership Institute (NMLI)

Attention High School Juniors. Applications are now being accepted for the NMLI. This program offers leadership training and a $15,000 scholarship to attend NMSU or UNM. Please see Mrs. Bowman for an application.

Vista College

A representative from the Computer Career Center a division of Vista College will be on campus to talk to seniors at 1:00 on January 18. They offer several accelerated career programs including Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, HVAC, Computer IT, Business Management, and Cosmetology. Their programs are short term and mostly hands-on. They provide the training and knowledge needed to put their students directly into the workforce. Any senior who would like to visit with Vista College, please sign up in the counseling office.

New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders (NMCEL) Scholarship

The New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders (NMCEL) is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for seniors who will graduate in May of 2017. The NMCEL Board has allocated funding for two $3000 scholarships to current seniors who will enroll in a college or university in the fall of 2017. The scholarships will be distributed in $1000 increments over three semesters if the recipient continues to be enrolled in college. The Board will also award $500 to each of the remaining four finalists. Applications are available in the counseling office.

Senior Class Reminder

The fall semester is winding down and graduation is fast approaching! Remember that 26 credits are required in order to graduate. It is every senior’s responsibility to know where they stand. If you have any questions or concerns about your credits, please see Mr. Ayers in the Guidance Office as soon as possible. The spring semester is the last chance to pass all necessary courses and earn the credits for high school graduation in May.

FAFSA Changes for 2017-2018

Students will be able to file a 2017-2018 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2016 rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2016-2017 schedule.) Beginning with the 2017-2018 FAFSA students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information. For more information regarding the FAFSA, please visit

Burger King Scholar

Do you need help paying for college? The Burger King Scholars program can help! High school seniors, burger king employees, their dependent children, spouses or domestic partners in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico can apply to receive up to $50,000 in scholarship awards for the 2017-2018 school year! High school seniors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible. Don’t miss your chance to become a Burger King Scholar. Apply today at The application period for the 2017-2018 school year opens Oct. 15 and closes Dec 15.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1185 Scholarship

Applicants for the 2017 Marine Corps League Detachment 1185 Scholarship must be a graduating senior from Hobbs High School. Applicants must have firm plans to attend college and show a letter of acceptance. Applicants must have a current grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applications are available in the HHS Counseling Office. Applications are due April 15.

Scholarship Guidance

Scholarship Guidance has been designed to help you find scholarships. For a variety of scholarships, please visit

NMEC Scholarship

The New Mexico Education Council invites New Mexico high school graduating seniors who are planning to attend a NM college or university to apply for the NMEC Scholarship. Apply at The deadline to apply is March 1, 2017. 1st place: $2,000; 2nd place: $1,500; 3rd place: $1,000; 4th – 10th place: $500 each. Don’t Delay, Apply Today!

Big Future

Choosing a college and searching for Scholarships is a big and exciting job. Explore your interests and take the time to find a college that will put you on a path to a bright future. For more information, please visit

Teresa’s Treasure Chest of Scholarships

  • RMHC of the Southwest Scholarship—Applicant has had either serious childhood illness or injury or a sibling who did.
  • NMEC Scholarship—planning to attend a NM college? Apply at Deadline March 1.
  • Explore interest and find a college
  • National Eagle Scout Association Merit Scholarships.
  • National Eagle Scout Association STEM Scholarship.
  • National Eagle Scout Association Academic Scholarship.
  • Scholarship must embody President Ronald Reagan characteristics—leadership, drive, integrity.

Applying to College

Because every school has its own requirements, prerequisites, and levels of selectivity, the application process at each institution is unique. You’ll need to determine the application deadline and fee schedule for each school you’re considering. Complete each application carefully and return it to each admission office as early as possible. Remember, your application form is often an admission committee’s first contact with you. Prepare a neat and legible form, and keep a copy for your records. Be sure to ask your guidance counselor to have all necessary transcripts, records, test scores, and applications sent. If a college asks you to identify people who would serve as references (teachers, counselors, principal, employers), select people who know you well, and always obtain their permission to list their names as references. Some colleges also may require a personal interview or examples of your work in special areas such as art or music.

How to Study for True False Exams

  1. Remember that everything has to be true if a statement is to be marked true, but that if it is to be marked false only one detail need be false. Read each question carefully, looking for qualifying words that tend to make statements true, such as the following: some, sometimes, usually, most.
  2. Read each question carefully, looking for words that tend to make statements false. The words listed below don’t always make a true-false statement false, but they should alert you to think carefully.

AllAlwaysNoneNoNeverOnly

  1. Mark your answer sheet the way the directions tell you to mark it. Just because it is a true false test doesn’t necessarily mean you use the symbols “T” and “F”.
  2. Find out whether you will lose points if you guess. Some instructors consider wrong only those answers that you actually mark incorrectly, others consider every unanswered question wrong.

How to Prepare for Multiple Choice Tests

1. Do all the questions you know first, checking or circling the numbers of the ones you want to come back to

later.

2. Use key words to help you determine an answer.

3. Read all the possible answers before selecting one.

4. Use the process of elimination, discounting the answers you know are wrong.

5. Watch out for questions that begin, “Which one is not an example of …”

6. Make certain you mark the answers according to the directions.

7. Read carefully, looking for words that best qualify statements, such as good, bad, much, little

Reminders

  • The ACT will be given on February 11. The registration deadline is January 13. To sign up, please visit
  • The SAT will be given on January 21. The registration deadline isDecember 21. To sign up, please visit
  • Students, who are in need of letters of recommendation, completion of college or scholarship applications, should deliver them to the principal, teacher, or counselor at least 3 weeks before the deadline. Remember to beat deadlines, not just meet them.

Senior Things to do List: December

  • Sign up for you PIN, your key to a fast, online financial aid application
  • Finalize admission applications.
  • Urge your parents to file their taxes as soon as possible after January 1. This will ease the financial aid process.
  • As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies.
  • If your college wants to see seventh-semester grades, be sure to give the form to the registrar.
  • Research and apply for other financial aid including grants and scholarships.

Scholarships/ Deadlines

For more information on these scholarships, visit the Guidance Office at Hobbs High School.

Scholarship / Web Address / Deadline
AGC / / June 1
Air Force ROTC Scholarship / / Dec 1
Albuquerque Foundation Scholarships / / March 16
American Legion Legacy / / April 20
AXA Achievement Scholarship / / Dec 15
Barbara Trenchard Foundation / / April 10
Betty Montoya Gift of Life Scholarship /
Big Future / / Various
Big Sun Athletics / / June 19
Broker Fish Scholarship / / Various
Burger King Scholarship / / Dec 15
Cattle Growers/Purina Mills Scholarship / / Nov 1
CAPPEX / / Various
Christian Connector / / Various
CIA Scholarships / / Dec 15
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation / / Oct 31
Daniels Scholarship Program / / November 30
Elks National Foundation Scholarship / / November 30
FastWeb / / Various
Foot Locker Scholar-Athletes / / Dec 17
Gates Millennium Scholars / / Jan 13
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship /
Higher Education Department / / Various
Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce / Avail in Counseling Office / April 15
Horatio Alger Association Scholarship / / October 25
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest / / Jan 4
KFC Colonel’s Scholarship / / Feb 8
Lea County Women’s Network / / June 1
Make the U / / Oct 15
MENSA Scholarship Application / “MENSA Scholarship” (no www is needed) / Jan 15
Merit Scholarships / / Dec 31
Microsoft Scholarship /
National Achievement Scholar /
National Co-op Scholarship / / Various
National FFA Organization / / Feb 1
National Young Arts Foundation / / December 18
New Mexico Federation of Republican Women 2015 Scholarship / Avail in Counseling Office / March 15
New Mexico High School Senior Scholarship / / March 16
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation / / December 18
NMCEL Scholarship / / Feb 12
NMASBO / / Jan 1
NM Engineering Foundation Scholarship / / May 20
NM Mayflower Society / / March 19
NMJC Foundation /
NMSU Scholarships / / March 1
NRAEF / / Various
NSA Scholarship /
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards / / Nov 8
Quest Bridge Scholarship / / Various
Rice University / / Various
Ronald McDonald House / / Sept 27
Ronald McDonald House / / Sep 27
Ronald McDonald House / / Sep 27
ROTC Army /
Savannah College of Art and Design /
SportQuest Playing with Purpose Scholarship /
Scholarship Experts / / Various
Scholarship Guidance / / Various
Scholarships.com / / Various
Seattle University’s Sullivan Leadership Award / / Nov 15
SJ Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship / / Various
Sparx & Lorenzo Antonio Scholarship /
St. Edwards University / / Dec 15
Student View Scholarships / / Various
Sussman-Miller Ed Assist Pro. /
Texas A&M / / Dec 1
Texas Tech: Koh Family Scholarship / / Jan 15
The 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community / or / November 8
Textbook.com Scholarship /
Toyota Community Scholars /
Tuition Funding Sources (TFS) / / Various
US Senate Youth Program /
Wal-Mart Foundation Scholar / / Various