The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities.
Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive.
Scholarship Includes:
- The opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution.
- Ability to pursue any area of study.
- Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
- Multifaceted advising about how to transition to a four-year college and maximize the student experience.
- Opportunity to apply for the Internship Stipend program, Conference and Travel Stipend, and Graduate Scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Be a current student at an accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution with sophomore status by January 1st or a recent graduate
- Plan to enroll full-time in a baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university in the coming fall
- Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
- We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
selection
The selection process for these awards is rigorous and highly competitive with approximately 45 scholarships awarded each year out of thousands of applicants. A review panel of distinguished college admissions professionals and faculty judge the applicants using criteria including:
- High academic ability and achievement: Strong academic record, academic awards and honors, and substantive assessments by educators providing confidential recommendations. In addition to GPA, we consider participation in available advanced courses, commitment to learning, and intellectual curiosity.
- Unmet financial need: Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
- Persistence: Determination and perseverance in the face of challenges, ability to set and remain focused on goals and to put in the effort needed to meet those goals in the face of obstacles.
- Leadership: Ability to organize and positively influence others in and out of school.
- Service to Others: Purposeful and meaningful commitment to others which may be evidenced by participation in volunteer/community service activities.
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is intended to provide up to three years of funding for recipients. Exceptions to this would only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The scholarship is renewable each year. At the end of each academic year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will review your grades, financial eligibility, conduct, progress toward degree, and cooperation with the Foundation and determine, at the Foundation’s sole discretion, whether to renew the scholarship for the next academic year.
