Two students at Northern Virginia Community College, Chun-Ming “Chris” Chen of Vienna and Maria Vera Alvarez of South Riding, have been awarded Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships.

Chen and Vera Alvarez are among 90 students nationally to receive the prestigious award which provides up to $40,000 a year toward tuition, books, living expenses and required fees for the final two to three years needed to earn a bachelor’s degree. It is the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country.

“Everyone at NOVA applauds Maria and Chris for earning these significant scholarships. We are delighted and thankful that the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will support these two exceptional students as they continue their educations,” said Acting President Mel D. Schiavelli in a press release about the scholarships.