Scholars
Are you considering attending college? Congratulations!
Attending college has many benefits, both in the experience of attendance as well as long after graduation. It’s an investment in your future! It also is a significant commitment of time and money and a down payment on success.
There are social benefits as well! From CVAP’s view, we strongly feel there are benefits of joining a sorority on campus. Each of our alumnae is a sorority woman. They can all tell you wonderful stories of how being a "sister" in a sorority still provides them with friendships, joy, and personal life benefits. (Take a moment to read the article below. It helps tell the story of all the benefits of sorority life.)
Meanwhile, continue to peruse this site for information on how you can apply and obtain a scholarship from CVAP.
Sincerely,
The Ladies of Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic
Attention 2026 Awarded Scholars:
Please click the button above to open the required Funding Form to be returned by Oct. 1, 2026.
Understanding the CVAP Scholarship Application Process
Each Spring, Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic’s Scholarship Committee presents educational scholarships to qualified, selected young women graduating from a Coachella Valley public high school or completed two years of College of the Desert and planning to attend a four-year university with a National Panhellenic Conference system as a full-time student.
If you have questions or would like more specific information,
please contact our VP of Scholarships: Ramona Frost Ruiz.
How do I qualify?
- You are a senior public school female
- You have applied to a four-year university with NPC on campus
- You are a U.S. citizen or have permanent legal resident status
- You have been involved in community and school activities
- You and your family have a financial need
What steps do I need to take?
- Your Career Center Counselor should have sent out information about the CVAP Scholarship and directions for completing the CVAP Application. You will complete a. When you have completed the application, follow the submission directions: Save and name the PDF with your high school and your last name. Email, along with your recent transcripts, to the committee at CVAP.ScholarApp@gmail.com.
- Complete the application by March 18, 2027, and send it to CVAP.ScholarApp@gmail.com and to your Counselor. Be sure you have attached your letter of recommendation and transcripts.
- The applications will be read and evaluated by your school's CVAP committee.
- The CVAP Scholarship committee will select five (5) senior women who best qualify to schedule an interview and continue the process. These interviews may be in person or by Zoom. The top five will receive an email giving the time and date of the interview.
What’s involved with the interview?
It’s a conversation where you have an opportunity to go into more detail about your college goals, as well as talk about your personal interests and service activities. Interviews take place at your high school.
Any other tips?
- School and extracurricular activities are also an important part of CVAP scholarship choice.
- You will be asked to sign a video release form.
- Also, if you are selected but then discover you will be receiving a full-ride from the university, your scholarship will be presented to the next selected qualified girl.
Please note you’ll be required to provide documentation that you're enrolling in a four-year university prior to receiving a scholarship award.
Your award money will be mailed directly to the university you will attend.
When will I know if I’ve been selected?
You’ll be notified shortly after the interview. It may be the CVAP team member or your counselor that will inform you of your selection.
CVAP will celebrate your achievements!
The first Saturday of May is a very special day for all the members of Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic! It’s the day we work hard for all year and the presentation of our newest scholars is the highlight of the day.
You’ll be invited, along with a parent or guardian, to a delicious luncheon at a local country club. It’s a chance to get a bit dressed up, meet other college-bound gals from other high schools, and attend a brief meeting to get specific details on obtaining the funds and any reporting expectations. And, you’ll have a Class Photo taken!
What else do I need to know?
What all members of CVAP have in common is that we attended a four-year university and were members of a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sorority. Our experiences during college within one of the 26 sororities provided us with lifelong friendships (or what we call sisters), leadership skills, career networking, and so much more. We encourage all of our scholars to give serious consideration to not only applying to a university that has NPC sororities on campus but also to learn about the recruitment process.
We can share so many stories of positive experiences our past scholars have had - simply by the fact that they went through recruitment and selected a sorority that fit their social and educational interests. Many tell us they could not imagine life without their "sisters" and the memories they've created.
Lifelong Benefits of Sorority Membership*
When you join a sorority, you instantly gain many opportunities and benefits. From sisterhood events to leadership positions to ritual services, your time as an active sorority member will be filled with fun and life-changing experiences.
The benefits of sorority membership are not just relevant during your college years; they are truly for a lifetime... a foundation in your personal and professional development. Plus, leadership, mentoring and growth opportunities continue after graduation with advisory, alumnae association and inter/national volunteer roles.
Another lifelong benefit of sorority membership is the network of alumnae. The bond that sisters share is lasting. As a sorority member, you have an instant connection with sisters throughout the world. This can help you find a roommate, get a reference or secure a job. There is even the network of sorority women beyond affiliation within the College Panhellenic community. Sorority alumnae know and understand the skills you build as an active member and as an alumna, which often gives you a competitive edge.
Also, sorority membership helps you identify your values, which guide your decisions throughout your lifetime. Even as times change, you will always have your values to rely on. Living up to these values teaches responsibility and accountability ¾ and will continually challenge you for life.
There are many benefits to the sorority experience and the things you learn as an active member are relevant long after graduation.
Remember: It's not four years, it's for life!
*Taken from TheSororityLife.com



