In Its 25th Year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Names 467 Semifinalists for Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Amid rising barriers to college affordability, the Foundation's transfer scholarship offers community college students a debt-free pathway to a bachelor's degree

LANSDOWNE, Va., March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation named 467 community college students as semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This transformative scholarship empowers exceptional community college students with financial need to transfer to the nation's top four-year institutions while avoiding the burden of student debt. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the U.S.

"Our Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship represents a lifeline for exceptional community college students to actualize their academic dreams," said Giuseppe "Seppy" Basili, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation. "This year's semifinalists exemplify the extraordinary talent found within community colleges across America, and we're excited to congratulate this group as we celebrate a quarter century of work as a Foundation."

The 467 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants and attend 212 community colleges in 43 states. The rigorous selection process assesses candidates on their exceptional academic ability and achievement, demonstrated financial need, perseverance, and leadership.

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. This scholarship is designed to help students not only reach college but successfully navigate and complete their journey. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation's Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers. Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,400 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.

A list of this year's Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists and their respective community colleges is linked here. The Foundation will announce the 2025 Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit the website here.

About The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

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SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation