Note to Students

Last year, thanks to the generosity of NMSCPA members, the New Mexico Society of CPAs awarded over $50,000 to accounting students on their way to becoming CPAs. Available scholarships are listed below and range in amounts.

NMSCPA Scholarship

The Society established its Educational Fund on June 29, 1961. As the professional association for CPAs, its membership includes professionals in public accounting, private industry, government and education. The Society promotes the value associated with the CPA designation and strives to attract highly qualified individuals to the profession. Full-time and non-degree students at any qualifying school are eligible for Society scholarships.

C. Jack Emmons Memorial Scholarship

The C. Jack Emmons Memorial Scholarship was established by his, friends, colleagues and family to honor and celebrate his dedication to the CPA profession and his love for auditing. Mr. Emmons was a CPA for 67 years and a member of the NMSCPA for 66 years. This scholarship is awarded to a Junior or Senior student that holds a 2.5 grade average or higher, who is enrolled in a New Mexico higher education institution, and who demonstrates a professional path into the accounting profession with goals in becoming a CPA.

CFMA Albuquerque Scholarship

Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Albuquerque has directed the proceeds of its annual golf tournament toward construction-related educational support for many years. CFMA Albuquerque is proud to partner with the New Mexico Society of CPAs as yet another avenue to support finance and accounting professionals both within and surrounding the construction industry in their career endeavors.

Don Balkcom Memorial Scholarship

The Don Balkcom Memorial Scholarship was established in 2024 by family and friends as a tribute to his lifetime dedication and support of the CPA profession. He was the original founder of Balkcom & Company CPA’s P.A., in Albuquerque, NM. Don was a believer in education, hard work, and public service. This scholarship is awarded to a University of New Mexico student who demonstrates a history of philanthropy and a strong desire to become a CPA.

J. Bryan Stephenson Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship memorializes one of New Mexico’s first CPAs. Mr. Stephenson held N.M. Certificate #3 and is remembered through the major contribution of his widow, Mrs. Mary M. Stephenson, and KPMG Peat Marwick William Black Foundation in New York. This scholarship is awarded to a student at the University of New Mexico, who also graduated from a New Mexico high school.

Robert Half Scholarship

The Robert Half Scholarship is a Women to Watch program. Robert Half donates scholarship funds in honor of the Emerging Leader and the Experienced Leader who are selected by the Society Awards Committee. This scholarship is awarded to a female accounting student attending a college or university in New Mexico.

Sanford Rogoff Memorial Scholarship

First awarded in 2007, this scholarship honors the memory of Sanford Rogoff, a founding member of The Rogoff Firm. His widow, Mrs. Beverly Rogoff, established the memorial fund. This scholarship is given to a recipient who expresses the intention to go into public practice in Albuquerque.

W.E. Hammond Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established in memory of W. Ernest Hammond by his family, celebrates his dedication to the CPA profession and NMSCPA. Mr. Hammond was a long standing partner in the Albuquerque office of KPMG Peat Marwick. He served as president of the Society from 1939 to 1946. This award is given to an eligible student at any qualifying school.

General Eligibility

• At the time of application, you must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours in accounting and 75 hours overall (by December 31, 2024).
• You are eligible to win scholarships from NMSCPA a maximum of three times.
• You must be enrolled in a qualifying university or college in New Mexico.
• You must plan to be enrolled in a qualifying university or college in New Mexico in the fall of 2025 (Aug - Dec 2025).
• You must have an overall GPA of “B” (3.0) or better.

Scholarship Categories

• Entry Level Scholarships - The NMSCPA has set aside a few scholarships for accounting students that have completed 12 - 18 hours of college-level accounting courses (by December 31, 2024). Students who meet all of the general eligibility but have not completed more than 18 hours in accounting will be eligible for these “entry level” scholarships. Students with more than 18 hours in accounting will compete for the “advanced level” scholarships.
• Advanced Scholarships - Reserved for students who have completed 18+ hours of college-level accounting courses (by December 31, 2024) at the time of application and meet all of the general eligibility.

Please contact Jennifer@nmscpa.org with any questions.