Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Deadline: October 25, 2016

Award Amount: varies, up to $40,000 per year

Minimum Eligibility

To be eligible for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, at a minimum, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Sophomore Status – Be a current student at an accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution with sophomore status by January 1, 2017, or a recent graduate (since spring 2012).
• Fall College Enrollment– Plan to enroll full-time in a baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university in fall 2017.
• GPA– Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
• Financial Need– Demonstrate unmet financial need, which has two components:
  • Education costs that are appreciably greater than the total amount of other scholarships or grant awards.
  • Insufficient student and family income to meet educational costs.
• No previous enrollment or attendance at a four-year institution – Students who have attended a four-year institution in the past are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • If you started at a four-year institution, but did not complete a semester of full-time study, then you may be eligible. Please contact us to verify your eligibility.
  • Students who have already transferred to a four-year institution or plan to transfer to start during the spring 2017 semester are also not eligible for this scholarship.

Selection Criteria

The selection process for these awards is rigorous and highly competitive with approximately 85 scholarships awarded each year out of thousands of applicants.   A review panel of distinguished college admissions professionals and faculty judge the applicants using criteria including:

• High academic ability and achievement: Strong academic record, academic awards and honors, and substantive assessments by educators providing confidential recommendations.  In addition to GPA, we consider participation in available advanced courses, commitment to learning, and intellectual curiosity.
• Unmet financial need: Limited family income and assets in light of educational expenses. Substantial unmet educational costs after taking into account other scholarships and grants students may receive.
• Persistence: Determination and perseverance in the face of challenges, ability to set and remain focused on goals and to put in the effort needed to meet those goals in the face of obstacles.
• Leadership: Ability to organize and positively influence others in and out of school.
• Service to Others: Purposeful and meaningful commitment to others which may be evidenced by participation in volunteer/community service activities.