Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Description

The Cooke College Scholarship Program is a national undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with demonstrated financial need who plan to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university. It is one of the largest undergraduate scholarship programs of its kind and supports students attending the nation’s top accredited institutions. The program combines financial support with sustained academic and personal advising to help scholars complete their degrees and pursue graduate study. Awards are tailored to individual needs and coordinated with other institutional aid to minimize student debt.

Description: A merit- and need-based undergraduate scholarship providing financial support and comprehensive advising to high-performing seniors enrolling in accredited four-year colleges.

• Nationwide program for high-achieving, low- or moderate-income seniors
• Supports enrollment at accredited four-year institutions
• Combines funding with long-term advising and cohort programming

Award Value

Awards are designed to cover a significant share of a scholar’s educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. Funding operates as last-dollar support after other institutional aid and may vary based on the cost of attendance at the chosen school and other grants or scholarships. In some cases the award can provide up to $55,000 per year to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The Foundation also offers graduate school funding for eligible Cooke Scholars.

Award Value: Last-dollar undergraduate funding that varies by individual need and cost of attendance; may provide up to $55,000 per year.

• Intended to minimize undergraduate debt
• Applies after institutional aid and other scholarships
• Includes support for tuition, living expenses, books, and fees

Eligibility

Applicants must be high school seniors who complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or on a U.S. military base and who plan to graduate in spring 2027. Candidates must intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college in fall 2027 and maintain a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75. Applicants are required to submit at least one standardized test score from SAT, ACT, AP, or IB (there is no stated minimum score to apply). The Foundation considers applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000 and conducts a full financial review during selection to determine unmet need.

Eligibility: Senior standing, fall 2027 college enrollment, GPA ≥ 3.75, submission of qualifying test score(s), and demonstrated unmet financial need (family income considered up to $95,000).

• Must graduate high school in spring 2027 and enroll in fall 2027
• Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75
• Must submit at least one SAT, ACT, AP, or IB score
• Financial review considers family income/assets; family AGI up to $95,000 is considered

Selection Criteria

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation evaluates each application through a review process supported by a committee of educational professionals. Primary selection factors include academic ability and achievement, leadership, persistence in the face of challenges, and demonstrated unmet financial need. Applicants should present strong academic records, outstanding recommendations, and evidence of initiative and resilience. The Foundation’s financial review is used to confirm need; recent cohorts have had median family incomes substantially below the program’s maximum consideration threshold.

Selection Criteria: Academic excellence, leadership, persistence, and verified unmet financial need assessed by a national review committee.

• Academic record and teacher recommendations are critical
• Leadership and community contribution are evaluated
• Resilience and persistence in overcoming obstacles are considered
• Comprehensive financial review determines unmet need

Program Benefits

Beyond financial awards, Cooke Scholars receive extensive educational advising and cohort-based programming designed to support college transition and success. Advising covers college selection, financial aid navigation, and strategies to maximize the undergraduate experience. The program also provides graduate school funding for eligible scholars and connects students to a nationwide alumni network of nearly 3,200 Cooke Scholars and alumni. These non-financial supports are intended to increase graduation rates and long-term academic and professional outcomes.

Benefits: Personalized advising, cohort programming, graduate school funding, and access to a large alumni network to support academic and career success.

• Personal advising on college choice and financial aid
• Cohort activities to build peer support and skills
• Graduate school funding for qualifying scholars
• Access to a network of thousands of Cooke Scholars and alumni