Chip Cumbia Nursing Endowed Scholarship

The Chip Cumbia Endowed Nursing Scholarship was established in 2013 in his honor by Chip’s parents, O. Douglas Cumbia II and Elaine Smith Cumbia. Chip was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 1/2. Though he has limited cognitive skills, he is a highly intelligent man with a gift for remembering and knowing about many things. He has a special fondness for music; he can tell you every top hit record for the years 1960 to 1985. He seldom misses viewing The Wheel of Fortune on television. Chip graduated from Frederick County Public Schools with a special education diploma in 2000. He has worked for NW Works and he actively participates at ADAPT, a day program for special needs adults. Chip’s parents want to honor their son by endowing this scholarship in his name. The scholarship will provide assistance to highly qualified nursing students at the College who truly aspire to becoming outstanding healthcare professionals upon graduation.

This scholarship award may be applied to assist students in paying tuition, fees and/or book expenses and will be divided equally between two semesters. To be eligible to receive the award for the spring semester, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the fall semester.

The scholarship will be awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

• Must complete a scholarship application
• Must be a full- or part-time student
• Must be admitted to or already participating in the Associate Degree in Nursing Curriculum
• Must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• Must be no more than 25 years old
• Must provide an essay response, no longer than one page using a 14 point font, on the topic of What is the reason and/or experience(s) you’ve had in life that makes you certain of your choice to become a healthcare professional? This essay should communicate why the student has a passion for working in the healthcare profession.