Fork Union Military Academy is proud to announce that senior Chrysander Rahardjo, a Trustee Scholarship recipient and international student from New Zealand, has been awarded a full four-year scholarship to Duke University through the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match program. The award, totaling $406,876, covers full tuition, room and board, books, travel, personal expenses, and health insurance, allowing Rahardjo to attend one of the nation’s top universities on a completely funded scholarship. 

QuestBridge is a highly selective program designed for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds, offering early admission and full financial support at more than 50 of the country’s most elite institutions, including Brown, Princeton, MIT, Yale, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, the University of Richmond, and Duke University. Rahardjo is the first Fork Union Military Academy cadet since 2021 to be named a QuestBridge finalist and to receive a National College Match offer. 

Rahardjo arrived on campus in August with most of his QuestBridge application already underway, fully committed to meeting the competitive requirements of the program. He worked tirelessly to complete all eligibility criteria, ensuring that every component reflected his character, academic achievements, and leadership. 

Faculty and staff at Fork Union Military Academy played an important role in supporting his efforts, with Mr. Head completing the school profile, transcript, and counselor recommendation; MAJ Kenny and 2LT Merlo assisting with his video submission, which Rahardjo planned and organized himself; and his parents providing daily support and motivation. 

Rahardjo expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and the sacrifices that led him to this moment. “It’s amazing. It’s everything my parents ever wanted,” Rahardjo shared. “I’ve taken a huge load off their backs by earning this scholarship. Now they don’t have to worry about paying for college, and I can focus on being the best version of myself with all the resources and support I need. I came a long way from the working class of Indonesia. My parents each worked three jobs to get me to where I am today. We moved through many countries, and not going all in on my academics would have felt like a waste of their sacrifices. I’m incredibly thankful that this scholarship has opened the door to an elite school like Duke, and I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences for anything.”

That dedication paid off this past weekend when Rahardjo learned he had been matched with Duke University, securing a life-changing opportunity that will carry him into the next four years and beyond. 

Duke University’s annual cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, personal expenses, and health insurance, totals $101,719 per year. Because the QuestBridge Scholarship is designed to adapt to any rising costs throughout a student’s college career, Rahardjo’s award guarantees full coverage for all four years, bringing the total value to $406,876, just shy of half a million dollars. 

This achievement reflects not only his personal dedication but also the support system fostered at Fork Union Military Academy. As a Trustee Scholar, the Academy’s only full scholarship award, he has exemplified the values of discipline, hard work, and academic excellence. 

“The Trustee Scholarship changed everything for me,” he said. “It meant I didn’t have to spend my summers working to pay for school or worry about affording an education in the United States. I wouldn’t have been able to come here if it weren’t for that scholarship, and it set the foundation for opportunities like QuestBridge.”

Fork Union Military Academy congratulates Chrysander Rahardjo on this extraordinary accomplishment and looks forward to seeing the impact he will make as he continues his academic journey at Duke University.