Rancho La Quinta Education Fund Application 2026-2027 Academic Year

Rancho La Quinta Education Fund offers education scholarships to employees, spouses, and children of Rancho La Quinta employees. The purpose of the Rancho La Quinta Education Fund is to provide opportunities for eligible high school and college students to pursue their career and education goals and encourage students of any age to continue education and enrichment beyond high school.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA listed here.

SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE listed here.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must meet one of the following criteria prior to the application deadline:

1.      Current Employee

• Must be actively employed and in good standing at Rancho La Quinta.

• Must have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in the past 12 months.

2.      Spouse or Domestic Partner

• Must be the spouse or domestic partner of a current employee who meets the criteria above.

3.      Dependent Child

• Must be the biological, step-, or legally adopted child of a qualifying employee.

• Must live in the employee’s household or be primarily supported by the employee.

4.      Special Exception Dependent Child

• Dependent children of new full-time employees who have completed their 90-day introductory period may apply only if the child is in at least their second year of college, and maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher. (This exception does not apply to part-time or seasonal employees).

To apply for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be in their final year of high school, a graduate of an accredited high school, or have earned a high school equivalency (GED).

• Plan to enroll, have applied to, or accepted into an educational program in the United States during the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 or Summer 2027 terms that leads to a degree or certificate of completion. Eligible programs include junior colleges, two- or four-year colleges, trade schools, certificate programs, vocational-technical schools, and graduate-level education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

• For traditional post-secondary education, maintain active enrollment and are encouraged to take a minimum of 8 units per term.

• Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

Annual Scholarship Opportunity

• Scholarships are valid only for the academic year in which the applicant applies or receives an award. Scholarships are not renewable, and no guarantees or carryover awards will be made for future academic years.

• All applicants must reapply each year and meet the eligibility requirements in effect at the time of application. Previous recipients are encouraged to apply annually.

• Each student may receive up to five scholarship awards while pursuing a certificate, trade school degree, or bachelor’s degree.Students continuing their education beyond a bachelor’s degree may be considered for additional awards on a case-by-case basis.

Rancho La Quinta Education Fund – Certificate Grant Program

In partnership with the Desert Scholarship Foundation, Rancho La Quinta has established a Certificate Grant Program for the benefit of Rancho La Quinta Country Club employees, spouses, and dependent children. The purpose is to provide financial assistance for any type of classes, courses, or programs that result in a certificate or certification from an educational institution, such as a trade school, vocational school, or community college, that provides skills to advance your current career or train you for a new career.

Eligibility Criteria for the Certificate Grant Program:

To be eligible for the Rancho La Quinta Education Fund Certificate Grant Program scholarship, prior to the due date of the application, all applicants must be:

1. A current employee in active and good standing, who has worked at least 1,000 hours over the last 12 months; or

2. A dependent child or spouse of such an employee. Dependents are defined as biological, step-, or legally adopted children living in the employee’s household or being primarily supported by the employee.

3. Not required to have a high school diploma or GED.

4. Enrolled or actively taking career-oriented classes or a certification program from an accredited institution where a certificate of completion can be achieved.

5. Reimbursements for certification courses already completed will not be considered.

Certificate Grant Program Details:

1. Courses for personal growth, entertainment, a hobby, etc., do not qualify.

2. Each applicant may receive a maximum of 2 grants each year (January 1 - December 31). Grant recipients must provide proof of successful completion of the first certificate prior to the second application.

3. No services will be required as a consequence of receiving a grant.

4. Applications will be accepted throughout the year. Desert Scholarship Foundation will notify applicants within 14 days after the receipt of their completed application as to whether or not a grant has been approved. Scholarship checks are made payable to the educational institution for the benefit of the recipient.

5. If a student’s educational plans change from the approved application, or if the student withdraws, the student must immediately notify Desert Scholarship Foundation and provide reasoning for the change or withdrawal. Failure to do so may prevent the student from being eligible for future grant opportunities.

Contact Information:

Please contact Blair Moss at Desert Scholarship Foundation to receive the Certificate Grant Program Application and Instructions.

Desert Scholarship Foundation

Blair Moss, CEO and Executive Director

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 760-797-7484