The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, based in Lansdowne, Virginia, runs this undergraduate scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.
Recipients use it to earn a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college, in the US or abroad, in any field, with advising from the Foundation throughout.
Benefits & funding
- Last-dollar funding after all institutional aid of up to $55,000 a year, varying with cost of attendance and other aid.
- May cover all or part of tuition, room and board, books and required fees, for up to four years.
- Renewed each year on grades, financial eligibility, conduct and progress.
- Recipients must attend a Scholars Weekend before college and sign a Scholar Agreement (including a 3.0 college GPA).
Eligibility
- A high school senior who has completed four years of high school in the US, a US territory or on a US military base, graduating in spring 2027.
- Live in the US or a US territory; US citizenship is not required.
- Plan to enroll full time at an accredited four-year college in fall 2027; current bachelor’s students, gap-year students and GED holders cannot apply.
- Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher.
- An SAT, ACT, AP or IB score must be submitted; there is no minimum.
- Family income up to $95,000, followed by a full review of family income and assets.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Senior standing – 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 2027.” Eligibility
Residence required
USA · Puerto Rico · Guam · US Virgin Islands · American Samoa · Northern Mariana Islands
Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1Add the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as a “college” in the Common App and answer its questions, including short essays and three years of household AGI.
- 2Arrange two academic recommendations (one from an 11th-grade core-subject teacher) and one counselor recommendation, all through the Common App.
- 3Submit by November 11, 2026; there is no application fee.
Program timeline
Application opens
August 19, 2026
Application deadline
November 11, 2026
Semifinalists announced
January 2027
Recipients announced
March 2027
College starts
Fall 2027