JKC Foundation: College Scholarship Program

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. In addition to the monetary award, students join a thriving network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

The Cooke College Scholarship Program

The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive. This highly competitive 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 pursue 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 college and maximize the student experience.

You can pursue a baccalaureate degree in the field of study of your choice. However, non-degree programs are not eligible.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• To be eligible to apply to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program you must:
  • Senior standing – Complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S territory, or on a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2026.
  • Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2026.
  • GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
  • Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with family annual gross 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.
• U.S citizenship is not required. You must, however, reside in the United States or a U.S. territory and attend all four years of high school in the United States.
• Homeschooled students are eligible to apply.

Ineligibility

• Students who are taking a gap year after high school graduation are not eligible to apply for the Cooke College Scholarship Program.
• If you received a GED diploma, you are not eligible to apply to the Cooke College Scholarship Program.
• At this time, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is not providing services to students who attend high school outside of the United States.
• You must not be enrolled in a bachelor’s program at the time of application.