Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

High-achieving high school seniors with significant financial need who will graduate in spring 2027 and intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college in fall 2027. (Community-college students transferring should instead apply to the Foundation's separate Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.)

• Complete four years of U.S. high school and plan to graduate spring 2027
• Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning fall 2027
• Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above
• Submit a score from SAT, ACT, AP, or IB (no minimum, but at least one required)
• Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000 (last cohort's median was ~$45,000)
• Not already enrolled in a bachelor's program
• U.S. citizenship not required, but must reside in the U.S. or a U.S. territory
• Homeschooled students eligible; gap-year students and GED holders are not

• Up to $55,000/year (last-dollar) toward a bachelor's degree, amounts varying by need
• Funds toward tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees
• Personal advising on college selection and financial aid, plus ongoing advising
• Access to a scholar/alumni network and mentoring
• Eligibility for additional Cooke programs (internship stipend, conference/travel stipend, graduate scholarship)
• Renewable for up to four years (annually reviewed; online programs not covered)

• Application submitted through the Common App
• Short essays / written responses
• Unofficial transcripts with self-reported grades (official transcript also referenced)
• Two academic recommendations (one from an 11th-grade core-subject teacher)
• One counselor recommendation
• School Report / Profile document
• Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or IB)
• Financial documentation, including AGI from federal tax returns for the past three years

• Start early — the application opens August 19, 2026 and closes November 11, 2026.
• Ask recommenders well in advance, especially the required 11th-grade core-subject teacher.
• Use essays to show perseverance through obstacles, leadership, and clear goals.
• Gather three years of federal tax AGI ahead of the deadline.
• Double-check self-reported grades against your transcript.

Multi-stage and highly competitive: closes Nov 11, 2026; semifinalists in January 2027; recipients in March 2027. In the April 2026 cycle, 60 new College Scholars were selected. Contact: scholarships@jkcf.org.