Hunter Lopez Memorial Fund 2026

All Applicants must be a current High School Senior (12th Grade) preparing for Graduation in Spring of 2026 within the Coachella Valley with a desire to go into a Public Service focused career.

To apply for a Scholarship, the applicant:

·        Must be a Senior at a high school within the Coachella Valley, in good standing. High schools include: Coachella Valley; Desert Mirage; Indio, La Quinta; Palm Desert; Shadow Hills; Cathedral City; Desert Hot Springs; Palm Springs; Rancho Mirage; Amistad; Summit; Horizon School of Independent Studies; La Familia Continuation; Mt. San Jacinto; Palm Springs Continuation.

·        Must maintain a 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), or better, at high school graduation.

·        Must have qualified for entrance or plans to enroll in an accredited two or four-year college, trade school, certificate program in the United States, or enlistment in a United States Armed Force.

·        Must be studying to provide Public Service. Public service is a commitment to safeguard the public, defend the nation, and protect communities through roles that require discipline, courage, and a willingness to place the welfare of others above personal interest.

Non-renewable Scholarship:

The scholarship is valid only for the academic school year in which the applicant applied or received an award. This scholarship is not renewable. No holdover or guarantee of any kind is made for a scholarship award in any future academic year. The applicant is solely responsible for completing an application and meeting all the deadlines if they wish to be considered for a scholarship.

Award Detail:

(3) scholarships gifted at $2,500.00 each will be awarded Spring/Summer 2026. Student recipients notified in late April.

All eligibility criteria will be reviewed and approved by the committee each year.

About: The Hunter Lopez Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2021 in the name of Coachella Valley native and fallen Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez. Lopez was among 13 U.S. servicepeople who were killed in the bombing at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport on August 26, 2021. He was only 22 years old at the time of his passing, during his short life he dedicated his teenage years and adult life to service and took pride in being part of organizations with a rich tradition. Hunter Lopez was a graduate of La Quinta High School. He was dedicated to service and community and was an amazing son, person and patriot. To honor Hunter and to carry on with his mission of helping others, the Hunter Lopez Memorial Scholarship was created to support La Quinta High School graduates who plan to pursue a career in public service.          

For questions or support, please contact:

Blair Moss, CEO of Desert Scholarship Foundation

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 760-797-7484