Application Period Opens for Largest Scholarship for High-Achieving Community College Students

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Oct 16, 2015, 08:00 ET

LANSDOWNE, Va., Oct. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation invites applications for its prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the nation's largest private scholarship for high-achieving community college students from low-income backgrounds who seek to transfer to a selective four-year institution. Cooke Scholars will receive up to $40,000 per year for up to three years of study at any four-year accredited college or university.

"Low-income students who succeed in community college have the potential to do great things if they attend four-year institutions," explained Executive Director Harold O. Levy. "But too often they have unmet financial need, and transferring can be a difficult process to navigate."

In addition to financial support, the program helps students make the transition to four-year colleges and maximize their campus experiences with the support of counselors and a network of nearly 2,000 extraordinary scholars and alumni. Cooke Scholars also have additional opportunities such as internships, study abroad, and even continued funding for graduate school.

To be eligible, applicants must be current students at accredited U.S. community colleges or two-year institutions with sophomore status or have graduated within the last five years. They must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or above, plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to begin studies in the coming fall, and demonstrate unmet financial need.

Applications are reviewed by a distinguished panel of university faculty and admissions professionals. Selection criteria focus on exceptional academic ability and achievements, financial need, persistence, leadership, and a desire to help others.

"We have seen our scholars do great things after transferring to a four-year school. For example, our inaugural Cooke Oxford Award Scholar, Larry Liu, began his extraordinary academic career at a community college," said Levy. "We're excited to see what unique goals the next group will have."

Applications must be received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 15, 2015. Notification to finalists will be made in April 2016. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit http://www.jkcf.org/transfer.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. By offering the largest scholarships in the country, comprehensive counseling and other support services to students from 7th grade to graduate school, the Foundation is dedicated to ensuring high-performing, low-income students have the support necessary to develop their talents and excel educationally. In addition to its scholarship programs, the Foundation provides grants for innovative, high-impact initiatives that benefit such students. By doing so, the Cooke Foundation seeks to use its resources to end the Excellence Gap, the disparity between the number of low and high income students who reach the top levels of academic performance. Founded in 2000, the Foundation has awarded $147 million in scholarships to nearly 2,000 students and over $88 million in grants. www.jkcf.org

SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation