What if I’m not sure I want to leave New Mexico for college?

That’s okay! We only are asking for students to keep an open mind, and to be willing to talk to their families about the possibility of attending college out of state. Being admitted to a college in New Mexico or somewhere else in the U.S. does not mean that you have to attend, but it does mean that you get to make a meaningful and informed choice about where you attend college.

How do you select ROCA New Mexico Fellows?

At ROCA, we are looking for rural first-generation students who are generally doing well in school and who are excited about the possibility of pursuing their college degree outside of New Mexico. Students should be curious, open to new experiences, and have a willingness to engage deeply with the ROCA New Mexico program. In addition to considering academic qualifications, we employ a holistic approach to reviewing student applications, considering extracurricular activities, an essay, a writing sample from class, as well as perspectives from teachers, counselors, parents and guardians.

Who is eligible to apply for ROCA?

We know that there is no one definition of a rural experience. However, we also know that there are experiences that students growing up outside of metropolitan areas have in common, despite the diversity of languages, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures that exist throughout New Mexico. To be eligible to apply for ROCA, students should:

• Have an experience they would characterize as rural, farming/ranching, or living in a small town. Generally, students in Santa Fe and Albuquerque are not eligible to apply.

• Be in the first generation in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Please see the FAQ Page on the Davis New Mexico Scholarship website to see if you meet our definition of a first-generation college-going student.

• Be a rising high school senior with a GPA at or above 3.0, and be taking some of the most challenging classes offered at your high school.

  • Current 9th and 10th graders can let us know they’re interested by submitting an interest form.

• Preference is given to students not enrolled in another program affiliated with the Davis New Mexico Scholarship. You can find a list of Davis New Mexico Scholarship affiliates here. (Students may apply to both ROCA NM and College Horizons.)

What if I need help with my application?

Please reach out to us for help! Send an email to mybarra@rocanm.org or call (505) 795-7520. Screenshots of error messages or complications are especially helpful.

What if family members have questions about ROCA NM?

They should contact Matt Ybarra at mybarra@rocanm.org.