Applications are now open for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Foundation College Scholarship Program, one of the largest and most competitive undergraduate scholarships in the United States. Designed for outstanding high school seniors with exceptional academic achievement and demonstrated financial need, the scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year to help students attend the nation’s top four-year colleges and universities.
Beyond financial support, Cooke Scholars gain access to personalized advising, leadership development, graduate school funding opportunities, and a lifelong network of accomplished scholars and alumni.
About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program supports high-achieving students who have excelled academically despite financial challenges. The scholarship aims to ensure talented students have access to the best educational opportunities while graduating with as little student debt as possible.
As a last-dollar scholarship, the award covers educational costs remaining after institutional financial aid, helping recipients focus on their studies instead of financial barriers.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected Cooke Scholars receive a comprehensive package of financial and academic support, including:
- Up to $55,000 per year toward undergraduate education.
- Funding for tuition and mandatory fees.
- Support for books and learning materials.
- Living expense assistance.
- Comprehensive educational advising.
- Personalized college selection guidance.
- Financial aid counseling.
- Transition-to-college support.
- Leadership and professional development opportunities.
- Access to graduate school funding opportunities.
- Membership in a network of nearly 3,200 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
High School Senior
Applicants must:
- Be completing their fourth year of high school.
- Attend high school in the United States, a U.S. territory, or on a U.S. military base.
- Plan to graduate in Spring 2027.
College Enrollment
Applicants must intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college or university beginning in Fall 2027.
Academic Achievement
Applicants must have:
- A minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Standardized Testing
Applicants must submit scores from at least one of the following:
- SAT
- ACT
- AP examinations
- IB examinations
There is no minimum test score requirement, but applicants must have completed at least one qualifying examination.
Financial Need
Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need.
The Foundation generally considers applicants whose families have an annual gross income of up to $95,000, although each application undergoes a comprehensive financial review that considers family income, assets, and individual circumstances.
Scholarship Covers
The scholarship may help cover:
- Tuition
- Required university fees
- Housing and living expenses
- Books
- Academic supplies
- Other educational costs
Award amounts vary depending on:
- College costs
- Institutional financial aid
- Other scholarships received
- Individual financial need
Additional Scholar Support
The Cooke Foundation provides extensive non-financial support to ensure scholars thrive throughout college.
Scholars receive:
- One-on-one educational advising.
- College transition support.
- Career guidance.
- Academic mentoring.
- Leadership development.
- Networking opportunities.
- Graduate school advising.
- Alumni engagement.
These services continue throughout students’ undergraduate education and often beyond graduation.
Why Apply?
The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship is recognized as one of the most generous undergraduate scholarship programs in the United States.
Recipients benefit from:
- Significant financial support.
- Reduced student debt.
- Freedom to pursue any field of study.
- Access to elite colleges and universities.
- Personalized mentorship.
- Professional networking.
- Long-term academic and career support.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including:
- Academic excellence.
- Leadership potential.
- Intellectual curiosity.
- Persistence.
- Financial need.
- Character.
- Community involvement.
- Commitment to educational success.
The scholarship is highly competitive, and only a select group of exceptional students are chosen each year.
How to Apply
Interested students should complete the official online application and submit all required materials before the application deadline.
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed online application.
- Academic transcripts.
- Standardized test scores.
- Financial information.
- Supporting documents requested by the Foundation.
Carefully reviewing the eligibility requirements before applying is strongly recommended.
About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is one of the largest private educational philanthropies in the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students with financial need by providing scholarships, educational advising, leadership development, and long-term support from high school through graduate education.
Organization: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Program: College Scholarship Program
Opportunity Type: Undergraduate Scholarship
Eligible Applicants: High School Seniors in the United States
Funding: Up to US$55,000 per year
Eligible Institutions: Accredited Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Academic Requirement: Minimum 3.75 Unweighted GPA
Financial Requirement: Demonstrated Financial Need
Application Status: Applications Open
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