Over 500 Top Community College Students Advance as Semifinalists in Nation's Largest Transfer Scholarship Program

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards up to $40,000 scholarships to help exceptional community college students with financial need transfer to four-year schools

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Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Dec 19, 2017, 09:00 ET

LANSDOWNE, Va., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has selected 534 high-achieving community college students from across the U.S. as semifinalists to compete for its Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, from a pool of nearly 2,500 applicants. This highly competitive scholarship will offer selected finalists as much as $40,000 per year for up to three years to complete their bachelor's degrees at selective four-year colleges and universities.

Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will be selected in April, based on their academic performance, leadership, perseverance, and service to others. "Community colleges hold many of the nation's most gifted students," said Harold O. Levy, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation. "Yet too often these students are denied the opportunity to fulfill their potential due to lack of adequate resources and support. Our scholarships help to remove these barriers so that talented students with financial need have a chance to complete their college education and pursue their goals and dreams."

Cooke Scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid, plus intensive academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad opportunities, and the ability to network with other Cooke Scholars and alumni. After earning a bachelor's degree, these Cooke Scholars will also be eligible to apply for a scholarship for graduate school worth up to a total of $75,000.

A list of the semifinalists by state – including their community colleges – can be found here. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and our other Cooke Scholarship programs, visit the website here.

The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded $175 million in scholarships to more than 2,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The foundation has also provided over $97 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Media Contact: Amber Styles
703-723-5647, [email protected]

SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation