Scholarship Information

Available Scholarships, Application Details, and Eligibility

We’re excited to announce that the Dr. J Elmer Harp Medical Center Inc.’s scholarship application process has moved to a new online platform hosted by The Community Foundation of Frederick County (CFFC). You can now apply for our scholarships at frederickcountygives.org, making it simpler and faster for students passionate about healthcare to pursue our scholarships. If you’ve applied for our scholarships before, you’ll notice some changes—but don’t worry! We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through the new process step-by-step. Our goal is to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident when applying. Let’s dive in!

Why the Transition?

For years, Dr. J Elmer Harp Medical Center Inc. has supported Middletown Valley students pursuing healthcare careers through scholarships honoring Dr. J. Elmer Harp and Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle. Previously, you’d apply by mailing us your application. Now, we’ve teamed up with The Community Foundation of Frederick County—a trusted organization with over 35 years of experience managing scholarships—to bring the process online.

This switch makes things simpler in a few ways:

No More Paperwork: You won’t need to deal with paper forms or stamps—just apply digitally.

Easier Access: Submit your application whenever and wherever works for you, as long as it’s before the deadline kicks in.

Smoother Process: CFFC’s system handles everything efficiently and reliably.

Our goal hasn’t changed—we’re still here to support your healthcare education. This is just a better way to get you there, and we’re happy to help you through it.

Available Scholarships

The Harp Medical Center offers two scholarships through CFFC, with recipients chosen by a panel of CFFC volunteers, including at least one Harp Medical Center Board member, for a fair and community-focused selection.

The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund

Funded by the estate of Jane E. Harp, this scholarship supports students pursuing medical-related fields, honoring her father’s over 50 years of service as a general practitioner in Middletown Valley.

The Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle Memorial Fund

Created by William H. Browning, Jr., to commemorate his friend and Harp Board charter member Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle, this fund aids students dedicated to a career in the medical field.

Scholarship Eligibility

In the past these scholarships have helped send Valley residents to medical school. But not all recipients have been training to become doctors. The awards are targeted at anyone pursuing medically related fields, including, for example, nursing or physical therapy.

Guidelines listed below

Applicants must be pursuing a career in the medical field.

Applicants must be completing their senior year of high school, be enrolled in schools of higher learning, or must be non-traditional students who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

Applicants must have applied to one or more post-secondary institutions or be presently enrolled in a college or university at the time of application.

Applicants must be residents in the Middletown Valley geographic area from: Washington County line (north), Braddock Heights (east), South Mountain (west), and the Potomac River (south).

Among other factors, applicants will be evaluated based on demonstrated financial need.

Requirements listed below

Completed Application Form

Fill out all sections in the online portal at frederickcountygives.org, including personal details, education history, and healthcare career goals.

Financial Aid Documentation

Upload a copy of your completed FAFSA Student Aid Report to show financial need (a key factor for many CFFC scholarships). If your college requires additional financial forms, include those too—check the portal for specifics.

Academic Recommendation

Provide one recommendation from an academic source (e.g., teacher, professor). You’ll likely upload this as a PDF or enter contact info for your recommender in the portal—follow the instructions there.

Transcript or GED

Submit a PDF of your most recent transcript:
High school seniors: First-semester senior year with cumulative GPA.
College students: Latest transcript with cumulative GPA.
Non-traditional students: A GED certificate works if you don’t have a transcript.
Ensure it’s legible—blurry uploads won’t be accepted.

List of Other Scholarships

Include a list of scholarships you’ve received or applied for. Type this into the application form or upload it as a PDF, depending on the portal’s setup.

College Acceptance Letter(s)

Upload a PDF copy of your acceptance letter(s) from the college(s) or program(s) you’ve been admitted to, proving enrollment or intent to enroll.

Community/Civic Activities

List your involvement in community or civic activities (e.g., volunteering, clubs). Add this directly in the application or as a separate PDF upload—check the portal for where it fits.

Notes

All uploads must be PDFs—photos or links won’t work.
Submit everything by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. through the portal.
Requirements might adjust slightly, so double-check the portal when you apply to catch any updates.

This ensures your application is complete and ready for review by the CFFC panel. Get these ready before you start the process in “How to Apply”!

Application Requirements

To apply for The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund or the Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle Memorial Fund through CFFC’s online portal, here’s what you’ll need to submit with your “2025-2026 General Scholarship Application”:

How to Apply

Here’s how to apply for The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund and the Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle Memorial Fund through The Community Foundation of Frederick County (CFFC):

Go to the Portal

Start at www.frederickcountygives.org to find CFFC’s scholarship application system.

New? Click “Create Account,” set it up with your email and password, and keep those safe—it’s your ticket in.
Returning? Log in with your CFFC account. Forgot something? Use the retrieval links—don’t start a new one.

Choose the Right Application

Pick the “2025-2026 General Scholarship Application,” open March 1 to March 31, 2025. It’s one form that covers both Harp scholarships.

Fill It Out

Add your school details, healthcare goals, and Middletown Valley residency. Highlight your healthcare career path—it’s key for our funds. If financial need’s a factor, answer those questions too.

Upload Your Docs

Transcript: PDF only—seniors, use your first-semester senior year with GPA; others, your latest. Keep it clear.
Financial Info: For need-based consideration, upload a FAFSA Student Aid Report or Maryland Tax Form 502.
Check for any extra requirements in the portal.

Submit It

Get it done by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.—no extensions. Submit early to dodge last-minute traffic.

What’s Next?

Look for a confirmation email or “Congratulations!” screen after submitting.
CFFC reviews in April-May, notifying winners by early June (you’ll get one scholarship—Harp or Gloria).
Funds go straight to your school for 2025-2026 if you’re selected.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

How is this different from before?
No more mailing applications—everything’s online now through the CFFC website, saving you time and effort.

What’s the deadline?
Often March 31, but verify in the portal—it’s a change from the old April 30 deadline.

Can I apply for both scholarships?
Yes, you’ll apply for both The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund and the Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle Memorial Fund with one application in the portal. However, you can only be selected for one scholarship.

How do I know I applied correctly?
In the portal under “My Applications,” look for a section like “2025-2026 General Scholarship Application” listing The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund and the Gloria M. “Stretch” Grossnickle Memorial Fund among available scholarships. Submit the bulk application there. You’ll receive an email or portal notification confirming receipt. If you’re unsure, reach out to CFFC for assistance.

Can previous recipients apply again?
Yes! If you’ve received one of our scholarships before, you’re welcome to reapply as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., pursuing healthcare education, residing in Middletown Valley). Check the portal for any specific rules about renewals or re-applications.

Need Assistance?

We’re here to help:

CFFC Support

(mailto:info@FrederickCountyGives.org)

Harp Medical Center Scholarships

(mailto:scholarships@harpmedicalcenter.org)

Ready to Apply?

This new platform makes it easier than ever to pursue your healthcare dreams with Harp Medical Center scholarships. Visit FrederickCountyGives.org today, and let us support your journey—good luck!