The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is among the largest undergraduate scholarship programs available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive.
Eligibility requirements:
- Senior in High School – Complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S territory, or on a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2026.
- Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2026.
- GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
- Test Scores — Submit standardized test score(s) from one of the following: SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam. There is no minimum score requirement to apply, however, applicants must have taken one (or more) of these tests and submit the score.
- Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with a maximum annual family gross income of $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new College Scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $34,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
This highly competitive scholarship provides:
- The opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution.
- Ability to pursue any area of study.
- Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
- Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the student experience.
