The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program is among the most competitive and respected undergraduate scholarship programs in the United States. It is intended for academically outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate significant financial need and aspire to enroll in leading four-year colleges or universities. Beyond substantial financial assistance, the program provides comprehensive academic advising, mentorship, leadership training, and lifelong access to a distinguished alumni network.
Level of Study
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree)
Fields of Study
Recipients of the Cooke Scholarship may pursue any undergraduate discipline at an accredited four-year institution. Eligible areas include, but are not limited to:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Medicine and Health Sciences
Business and Economics
Social Sciences
Humanities and the Arts
Education
Law, Public Policy, and International Relations
There are no restrictions on the choice of major, provided the student is enrolled in a fully accredited bachelor’s degree program.
Scholarship Benefits
The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship is awarded on a last-dollar basis, covering educational costs not met by other financial aid sources.
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to USD 55,000 per academic year, which can be used to cover:
Tuition and academic fees
Room and board
Books and required course materials
Living expenses
Other mandatory university-related costs
In addition to financial support, Cooke Scholars benefit from:
Personalized academic and financial aid advising
Ongoing academic and career guidance
Leadership development and networking opportunities
Eligibility for internship, research, travel, and graduate school funding
Membership in a nationwide community of more than 3,200 Cooke Scholars and alumni
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants of all nationalities are eligible, provided they attend high school in the United States, a U.S. territory, or on a U.S. military base.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a high school senior completing four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or a U.S. military base
Plan to graduate in the spring of the application year
Intend to enroll in a full-time, four-year accredited college or university in the fall following graduation
Hold a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher
Have taken at least one standardized assessment (SAT, ACT, AP, or IB)
Demonstrate financial need (generally defined as a family income of USD 95,000 or less)
Not be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program
Homeschooled students are eligible
Please note that students with a GED or those planning to take a gap year prior to enrollment are not eligible to apply.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the Common Application (Common App).
Application Steps
Create an account at CommonApp.org
Add the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as a selected program
Complete the Common App personal and academic profile
Provide academic records and standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or IB)
List extracurricular activities, honors, and achievements
Submit short essay responses and indicate intended major
Provide detailed family income and financial information (AGI for the past three years)
Request recommendations from:
– One school counselor
– Two academic teachers
Submit the completed application before the deadline
Application Deadline
Application opens: August 20
Application deadline: November 12
Deadlines may change annually. Applicants are advised to confirm dates on the official Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed holistically based on:
Academic achievement
Demonstrated financial need
Leadership potential
Community involvement and service
Personal resilience, motivation, and perseverance