Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. It offers several prestigious scholarship programs to support high-achieving individuals at various stages of their academic journeys.

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🎓 College Scholarship Program

The Cooke College Scholarship Program is one of the nation's largest undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the best four-year colleges and universities.

📌 Eligibility Criteria

• High School Senior: Must plan to graduate in spring 2025 from a U.S. high school.

• College Enrollment: Intend to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year college beginning fall 2025.

• GPA: Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.75.

• Financial Need: Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000.

• Citizenship: Must reside in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and attend high school in the U.S.

💰 Scholarship Benefits

• Up to $55,000 per year, covering tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees.

• Last-dollar funding after other financial aid.

• Personalized advising on college selection and financial aid.

• Cohort-based programming and graduate school funding.

• Access to a network of nearly 3,200 Cooke Scholars and Alumni. 

📅 Application Timeline

• Application Opens: August 22, 2024

• Deadline: November 14, 2024

• Semifinalists Announced: January 2025

• Recipients Announced: March 2025 

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🌟 Young Scholars Program

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th-grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic advising and financial support through high school.

📌 Eligibility Criteria

• Grade Level: Currently in 7th grade.

• Academic Performance: Earned grades of all or mostly A's, with no C's or below in core subjects.

• Financial Need: Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000.

• Location: Attending middle school in the U.S. and planning to attend high school in the U.S. 

📅 Application Timeline

• Application Opens: February 6, 2025

• Deadline: April 30, 2025

• Notification: September 2025

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🎓 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship supports high-achieving community college students with financial need who seek to complete their bachelor's degrees at top four-year institutions.

📌 Eligibility Criteria

• Current Enrollment: Enrolled in a U.S. community college.

• Academic Performance: Demonstrated excellence in coursework.

• Financial Need: Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000.

• Transfer Plans: Intend to transfer to a four-year college or university.

💰 Scholarship Benefits

• Up to $55,000 per year, covering tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees.

• Last-dollar funding after other financial aid.

• Personalized advising on college selection and financial aid.

• Cohort-based programming and graduate school funding.

• Access to a network of Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

📅 Application Timeline

• Application Opens: August 2024

• Deadline: January 2025

• Notification: March 2025

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📝 Application Process

Common Requirements

• Online Application: Submit through the Common App.

• Recommendations:

  • Two academic recommendations (one from an 11th-grade teacher and one from another teacher or professor).

  • One counselor recommendation.

• Transcripts: Submit unofficial transcripts and self-report courses/grades accurately.

• Financial Information: Provide family adjusted gross income for the past three years. 

For detailed application instructions and to apply, visit the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website.