Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Names 467 Semifinalists for Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Amid Rising Barriers to College Affordability.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has named 467 community college students as semifinalists for its Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship offers debt-free funding to transfer to top four-year institutions and can provide up to $55,000 per year for two to three years. The semifinalists were chosen from a pool of over 1,600 applicants and attend 212 community colleges across the US. The scholarship aims to provide comprehensive support beyond financial assistance, helping students navigate and complete their bachelor's degree.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, a renowned organization dedicated to supporting exceptional students from low-income backgrounds, recently announced the semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship [1]. This prestigious program aims to provide comprehensive support to community college students, enabling them to transfer to top four-year institutions without the burden of student debt.

This year, the Foundation selected 459 semifinalists from a pool of over 1,700 applicants, representing 215 community colleges in 38 states [1]. These students have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and a determination to complete their bachelor's degrees at top universities.

The Cooke Transfer Scholarship offers more than just financial assistance. Recipients will receive educational advising from the Foundation's Deans of Scholar Support to guide them through the transition process. They will also have access to opportunities for internships, study abroad, graduate school funding, and the invaluable connection to a network of over 3,000 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni [1].

The American Talent Initiative, a research organization, estimates that approximately 50,000 high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds could transfer to four-year colleges each year but do not due to financial constraints [1]. The Cooke Transfer Scholarship is designed to bridge this gap by offering up to $55,000 per year to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses [1].

Seppy Basili, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation, emphasized the importance of this scholarship in providing students with the opportunity to complete their degrees without taking on student debt [1]. "By lifting the financial burden off their shoulders, our goal is to help students take full advantage of a four-year college experience without taking on student debt," Basili said [1].

The Cooke Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April [1]. A list of this year's semifinalists, their respective community colleges, and hometowns can be found on the Foundation's website [1].

References:
[1] The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. (2023, March 9). Transfer Semifinalists 2023. https://www.jkcf.org/our-stories/transfer-semifinalists-2023/