In honor and memory of ACCA founders Emily and Fred Ruffing, ACCA awards a scholarship each July to graduating high school seniors who have overcome disabilities.    For information, to make contributions, or to identify high school seniors who might quality for the scholarship, contact Ann Marie Hicks at amhicks@aol.com.

ACCA Scholarship Students are encouraged to maintain at least a C+ average, although most achieve B+ to A+ averages. Ruffing scholarships are supported by designated individual donations to ACCA, including a $13,000 annual grant from the Thorson Foundation for the past several years. These funds are supplemented from the ACCA General Fund, if needed. Scholarship applications are solicited through outreach to Fairfax County schools.

The scholarship program was inspired by the Ruffings’ dedication to assisting persons with disabilities as well as their roles in founding ACCA. It honors students who have overcome special challenges and lends support for achieving their goals. Financial need is a strong consideration, as are letters of recommendation from the applicants’ teachers addressing the impact of the student’s disability and his or her efforts to achieve despite it.  The Ruffing scholarships also provides these students with two outstanding models of Christian life in action