Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program 2027 is a highly competitive undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with significant financial need. The scholarship can provide up to USD 55,000 per year for up to four years toward tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. The 2027 application cycle opens on 19 August 2026 and closes on 11 November 2026.

Opportunity

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program 2027

Type

Undergraduate Scholarship / Financial Need-Based Scholarship

Organizer

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Country

United States

Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens, but they must reside in the United States or a U.S. territory and have completed all four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or on a U.S. military base.

Study Level

Bachelor’s / Undergraduate

Applicants must plan to begin a four-year bachelor’s degree in Fall 2027.

Fields of Study

All fields of study are eligible.

Students may pursue any baccalaureate field at an accredited four-year institution.

Scholarship Amount

Up to USD 55,000 per year

The scholarship is last-dollar funding, meaning the award amount depends on the cost of attendance and other institutional grants or scholarships received.

Duration

Up to 4 years for completion of a bachelor’s degree, subject to annual renewal requirements.

Scholarship Coverage

Funding may help cover:

• Tuition
• Room and board / living expenses
• Books
• Required academic fees

Recipients also receive college-planning support, academic advising, cohort programming, and access to the Cooke Scholar network.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must:

• Be a high school senior graduating in Spring 2027
• Have completed four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or on a U.S. military base
• Plan to enroll in an accredited four-year college in Fall 2027
• Have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75
• Submit at least one SAT, ACT, AP, or IB test score
• Demonstrate significant unmet financial need.

Financial Eligibility

The Foundation will consider applicants with annual family income of up to approximately USD 95,000 and conducts a broader financial review considering family income and assets.

Citizenship Requirement

U.S. citizenship is not required.

However, students attending high school outside the United States are currently not eligible.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are assessed based on factors including:

• Academic achievement
• Intellectual ability
• Persistence
• Leadership
• Service to others
• Financial need.

Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through the Common App and include:

• Academic and personal information
• Grades
• Activities and honors
• Standardized test score(s)
• Several short essays
• Intended major
• Household financial information
• School counselor recommendation
• Two teacher recommendations.

Application Fee

No application fee.

Application Opening Date

19 August 2026

Application Deadline

11 November 2026