Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Applications for Nation’s Largest Pre-College Scholarship Due by March 21

  • 02/22/18

Landsdowne, Va. – The Cooke Foundation today announced the opening of the application period for its Young Scholars Program, the largest high school scholarship and advising program in the United States, for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need.

Each year, approximately 50 students will be selected from a pool of more than 2,000 applicants to participate in the five-year program, starting in 8th grade through high school graduation. Those selected receive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programming, peer community engagement, and other learning enrichment opportunities.

“The Young Scholars Program gives some of the brightest young minds in the nation access to high quality academic programs that they otherwise couldn’t afford,” said Cooke Foundation Executive Director Harold O. Levy. “We pair students early on with an educational adviser who will work to ensure they make the most out of their high school experiences, and are prepared for success at competitive colleges and universities.”

The program provides a pathway to the Cooke College Scholarship Program, which is worth up to $40,000 a year. Many Young Scholars have also received Cooke Graduate Scholarships, worth up to $75,000.

To be eligible for the Young Scholars Program, a student must: 1) currently be in 7th grade, 2) earn grades of all or mostly As with no Cs in core academic subjects during 6th and 7th grade, 3) have a family adjusted gross income of less than $95,000, and 4) be willing to participate in required multi-week residential summer programs.

More information about the Cooke Young Scholars Program, including instructions on how to apply and a video featuring scholars, can be found here.

About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded $175 million in scholarships to more than 2,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The foundation has also provided over $97 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Featured

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Parallel Architectural Products

    Armstrong World Industries, provider of interior and exterior architectural applications, recently announced that it has acquired the Colorado-based Parallel Architectural Products, according to a news release.

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.