Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Overview

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is a national undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with demonstrated financial need who plan to attend selective four-year colleges and universities. It is one of the largest undergraduate scholarships of its kind, pairing financial support with comprehensive advising, cohort programming, and graduate school funding. Scholars join a nationwide network of peers and alumni that supports academic and professional development throughout college and beyond.

Description: The program provides multi-year support intended to help recipients graduate with minimal debt and to maximize the college experience through advising and peer networks.

• National, merit- and need-based undergraduate scholarship
• Includes advising, cohort programming, and graduate funding
• Access to a large network of scholars and alumni

Award Value

Scholarship awards are intended to cover a significant share of educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. Awards are provided as last-dollar funding after institutional aid and vary by individual based on tuition costs and other grants or scholarships received. In some cases, awards can provide up to $55,000 per year toward a bachelor’s degree, and additional funding may be available for graduate study.

Award Value: Last-dollar funding tailored to each recipient’s institutional package, aiming to minimize student debt while covering core college expenses.

• Covers tuition, living expenses, books, and fees
• Last-dollar funding after institutional aid
• Potential award up to approximately $55,000 per year

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 and enroll in an accredited four-year college in fall 2027. Candidates must have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 and must submit at least one standardized test score from SAT, ACT, AP, or IB (there is no minimum score required to apply). The Foundation considers applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000 and will conduct a full financial review of student and parent income and assets during selection.

Eligibility: Academic excellence, intended fall 2027 college enrollment, standardized test submission, and demonstrated unmet financial need are required.

• Graduating high school senior (U.S., territory, or U.S. military base)
• Plan to enroll in a four-year college in fall 2027
• Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75; test score submission required
• Family gross income considered up to $95,000 with full financial review

Selection Criteria

The Foundation reviews applications individually with a national committee of educational professionals and selects recipients based on multiple dimensions of promise and need. Key factors include academic ability and achievement, leadership, persistence in the face of obstacles, and demonstrated unmet financial need. Selection also takes into account strong recommendations, a desire for academic challenge, and the applicant’s potential to benefit from the Foundation’s advising and programming.

Selection Criteria: Academic record and recommendations, leadership and initiative, persistence and resilience, and verified unmet financial need drive the committee’s decisions.

• Academic achievement and strong recommendations
• Leadership and community contribution
• Persistence and adaptability in challenging circumstances
• Full financial review to determine unmet need