by Victoria Stearns
Since 2013, Cedarville University has provided a full-tuition scholarship to a student who has come through the foster system in Ohio. Luke Combs, of Springfield, is the recipient this year and expects to major in ministry.
Combs, a graduate of Northeastern High School, left his birth family when he was 12 years old. Following many moves with extended family in a three-year period, Combs went to live with his cross country coach and his wife, Clinton and Shelley Murray, at the age of 15. As an avid cross country and track runner, Combs had already spent a great deal of time with the Murrays. They impacted his life through coaching, mentoring and then further as guardians.
During his senior year, he began applying to colleges that he thought would be a good fit for him. His top three choices were Wright State University, Regent University and Cedarville University, but Cedarville was always his first choice. He just didn’t think he could enroll because of costs.
But Cedarville University found a way to make it affordable for Combs. His admissions counselor, Jessi Dyson, broached the Foster Care Scholarship with him as a way to make college more affordable. Combs applied for the scholarship and was selected by President Thomas White. He was notified in April.
“I am overjoyed to be a part of the Cedarville family, as it is where God has placed me,” said Combs. “The scholarship has taken a huge load off my shoulders, it is purely a blessing that only God could have ordained for me to receive.”
White introduced the Foster Care Scholarship in 2013 as an opportunity to answer God’s call in James 1:27, which says “to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in the custody of a foster home in Ohio or a ward of the state of Ohio, meet regular admission requirements and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
The award is renewable for up to eight semesters, so long as the student remains in good academic standing with the University.
For more information or to apply for the Foster Care Scholarship visit: http://www.cedarville.edu/financialaid/Foster-Care-Scholarship
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 18 87, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings.
Combs, a graduate of Northeastern High School, left his birth family when he was 12 years old. Following many moves with extended family in a three-year period, Combs went to live with his cross country coach and his wife, Clinton and Shelley Murray, at the age of 15. As an avid cross country and track runner, Combs had already spent a great deal of time with the Murrays. They impacted his life through coaching, mentoring and then further as guardians.
During his senior year, he began applying to colleges that he thought would be a good fit for him. His top three choices were Wright State University, Regent University and Cedarville University, but Cedarville was always his first choice. He just didn’t think he could enroll because of costs.
But Cedarville University found a way to make it affordable for Combs. His admissions counselor, Jessi Dyson, broached the Foster Care Scholarship with him as a way to make college more affordable. Combs applied for the scholarship and was selected by President Thomas White. He was notified in April.
“I am overjoyed to be a part of the Cedarville family, as it is where God has placed me,” said Combs. “The scholarship has taken a huge load off my shoulders, it is purely a blessing that only God could have ordained for me to receive.”
White introduced the Foster Care Scholarship in 2013 as an opportunity to answer God’s call in James 1:27, which says “to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in the custody of a foster home in Ohio or a ward of the state of Ohio, meet regular admission requirements and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
The award is renewable for up to eight semesters, so long as the student remains in good academic standing with the University.
For more information or to apply for the Foster Care Scholarship visit: http://www.cedarville.edu/financialaid/Foster-Care-Scholarship
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 18 87, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings.