The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is for community-college students who want to complete a bachelor’s degree after transferring to an accredited four-year university. The current application is for fall 2027 enrollment and remains open through December 9, 2026. The transfer-program profile explains eligibility and the award. It is not a state scholarship or a guarantee of college admission.
Applicants must attend an accredited U.S. two-year institution and have sophomore standing by January 1, 2027, or have graduated since spring 2022. They must begin full-time bachelor’s study in fall 2027, have at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA, and demonstrate financial need. The Foundation considers family gross income up to $95,000 and also reviews household assets and circumstances.
As a general rule, applicants who previously attended a four-year institution are excluded, including attendance outside the United States. The Foundation describes a narrow exception for someone who enrolled but did not complete a full-time semester; ask the Foundation directly about that situation. The application requires transcripts from every college attended since 2011 and two recommendations from academic professionals. Do not wait until the end of the term if the file must include all completed coursework.
The award is last-dollar funding calculated after institutional aid and may reach $55,000 per year for up to three years. The actual amount depends on unmet need and the college’s cost and is not guaranteed to every applicant. Along with funding, the program offers transfer advising and career preparation. Request a net-cost estimate from the destination college and see how its own scholarships would apply before assuming an amount.
Apply for free through Common App for Transfer by December 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The Foundation expects semifinalists in February and decisions in April 2027. Gather official transcripts, confirm your GPA, and request recommendations early; ask your community college whether it has a Cooke campus representative. Official program questions go to scholarships@jkcf.org.
Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: award and application — Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
How to Apply: transfer eligibility and dates — Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship FAQs — Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Common App for Transfer — Common App.
Informational guide checked against official sources on October 12, 2026. Applications, funding, and criteria change; confirm your cohort deadline with the institution before submitting personal information.
The Cooke transfer award may reduce the college balance by up to $55,000 a year, but requires a 3.5 GPA and a complete application by December 9.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
44325 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne, VA 20176
Last-dollar aid of up to $55,000 per year for up to three years. Applicants need at least a 3.5 college GPA, sophomore standing by January 1, 2027 or recent graduation since spring 2022, full-time transfer in fall 2027, and financial need; family income up to $95,000 may be considered.
National private scholarship for community-college transfers to four-year universities
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Common App · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Common App · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.