Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Seeks Exceptionally Promising 7th Graders for Generous Educational Program

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Feb 04, 2014, 04:03 ET

LANSDOWNE, Va., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Committed to advancing educational opportunities for high-achieving, low-income students, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is pleased to announce the 2014 application for its Young Scholars Program is now open. The Foundation seeks 7^thgraders from low- to moderate- income families from across the nation who stand out in their schools for their high academic ability and achievement, persistence, and desire to help others.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program is a personalized scholarship and educational support program. Each participant is paired with a Foundation educational adviser who works to ensure that Young Scholars are academically challenged and inspired from the 8^th grade through high school, have the financial resources needed to develop their academic and extracurricular talents, and are prepared for success at competitive colleges and universities.

"Our advisers work with each Young Scholar and family to create a unique learning plan, ensuring the student has access to stimulating and rigorous curricula in high school and engages in meaningful, high-quality after school and summer experiences," said Rebecca Cullen, director of the Young Scholars and alumni programs. "They also guide Young Scholars through the college application and selection process."

Young Scholars come from all racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as from rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout the United States. They are typically in the top one percent of their class academically, with family incomes averaging $25,000 per year.

This year the Foundation will select approximately 60 students. The deadline for the first phase of the application process is March 20, 2014. To learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program and to complete an application, visit the Foundation's website: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program/.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Because we believe that high-potential, low-income students will excel educationally when given the resources to develop their talents, the Foundation supports exceptional students from elementary school to graduate school through scholarships, grants, direct service, and knowledge creation and dissemination. Founded in 2000 by the estate of Jack Kent Cooke, the Foundation has awarded $120 million for over 2,000 scholarships and $76 million in grants to organizations that support our mission. www.jkcf.org

SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation