The UNM Parent Association is about to make 30 student bank accounts a lot happier. The UNM Parent Association will award $1,000 scholarships to 30 commendable undergraduate and graduate students for the 2011-12 school year.

The Parent Association encourages students to visit its web site at UNM Parent Association for eligibility requirements and to download an application. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

According to the Association's Scholarship chair, the organization is primarily looking for goal-directed students who have a financial need.

"We know that in these challenging economic times a scholarship could mean the difference between graduating and dropping out of school," said UNM Parent Association President Maria Probasco.

The Parent Association is soliciting applications from full-time sophomores, juniors and seniors with at least two semesters remaining until graduation, as well as Master's and Ph.D. candidates. The scholarships will be awarded based primarily on financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must also have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.

With only three years under its belt, the UNM Parent Association has increased the number of scholarships from three to 30 thanks to community support and the Association's fundraising efforts. Its mission is to promote student success and academic excellence; engage parents in the University's mission and goals; empower parents to play a supportive role in student education; and provide a forum for networking.

"We've worked hard these past few years to develop relationships with community members and engage them in our organization and UNM as a whole," said Probasco. "With the addition of our first-ever golf tournament this year to other Association activities, we will be able to get more money in the hands of more deserving students."