Jack Kent Cooke Foundation 2024 Fully Funded College Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Students, USA

The Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is the largest undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, significant cohort-based programming, and graduate school funding, as well as a thriving network of nearly 3,200 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

• Table of Content
• About Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
• Aim and Benefits of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
• Requirements for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About 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 almost $250 million in scholarships to nearly 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. Why We Exist RESEARCH SHOWS: High-achieving students with financial need often exist in isolation. High-achieving stu... continue reading

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Aim and Benefits of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – 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 he or she may receive.

This highly competitive scholarship includes:

• Up to $55,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school
• 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 college student experience

Requirements for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program Qualification

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Senior standing – Plan to graduate from a U.S. high school in spring 2024.
• Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2024.
• GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above.
• Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new  College Scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $34,000.  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.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation reviews each College Scholarship Program application individually with the assistance of a committee of educational professionals from across the nation. The criteria used in the selection process are:

• Academic ability and achievement: Maintains a strong academic record and receives outstanding recommendations from teachers, shows a desire to be challenged, and demonstrates enthusiasm for learning. Eligible applicants must have a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5.
• Leadership: Motivates others, takes initiative, and contributes positively to the community.
• Persistence: Exhibits determination when faced with obstacles, goal-oriented, and confronts challenges with an ability to adapt to change.
• Unmet financial need: We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new  College Scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $34,000.  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.

August 24, 2023

Application opens. Apply online in the Common App.

November 16, 2023

Application submission deadline.

January 2024

Semifinalists are announced. All applicants will be notified of their status via email.

March 2024

Scholarship recipients are announced. All semifinalists will be notified of their status via email.

Documents Required for Application

Two Academic Recommendations: A complete application includes two academic recommendations which will be submitted through Common App. One recommendation must be from an 11th grade teacher in a core academic subject (English/language arts, mathematics, social studies/history, science, or foreign language). A second recommendation can come from another core subject teacher or professor who has worked with you any time since ninth grade. Both recommenders should be well-acquainted with your academic performance and character, and should be able to discuss your progress through class curriculum, challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and your overall academic engagement.

One Counselor Recommendation: In addition to your academic recommendations, you are required to submit one counselor recommendation from your high school counselor through the Common App. If there is no Counselor at your school, you may list your principal or other school official, international or domestic, who has overseen your academic progress. You will also be required to invite this person to complete the School Report on the Recommenders and FERPA section located on the My Colleges tab.

School Report: A School Report or School Profile is a document from your school, usually from the school counselor’s or registrar’s office, that includes information about the student body, the types of classes offered by your school, and other important data on the offerings available there. In Common App, the application requires that you invite your school counselor to submit this document to your application portal.

Transcripts: You must submit unofficial transcripts and self-report your courses/grades accurately in Common App. If you are chosen as a semifinalist, we may request an official copy of your transcript later in the review process.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The Cooke College Scholarship Program application will open on August 24, 2023 and close on November 16, 2023.

For more details visit: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website