Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
A last-dollar scholarship of up to $55,000 per year for college costs after institutional aid. The 2027 cohort requires a high-school senior, at least a 3.75 unweighted GPA, SAT/ACT/AP/IB score submission, and financial need; families with gross income up to $95,000 may be considered after financial review.
About Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Cooke College Scholarship is a national award from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for high-school seniors who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college. Along with funding, it offers guidance on college selection and financial aid. The Foundation describes it as last-dollar support: the final amount is calculated after institutional aid and can be as much as $55,000 per year; that ceiling is not a fixed payment or a promise to cover every cost.
For the cohort entering college in fall 2027, applicants must complete four years of high school in the United States, a U.S. territory, or a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2027. They must intend to enroll full time at an accredited four-year institution. The Foundation does not require U.S. citizenship, but applicants must live in the United States or a territory while attending high school. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.75 unweighted.
Applicants must submit scores from at least one SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam; the Foundation says there is no minimum test score. The application also calls for two academic recommendations, transcripts, and family financial information. Families with annual gross income up to $95,000 may be considered, but the Foundation conducts a full review of income and assets. GPA or income alone does not guarantee selection: academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, persistence, leadership, and service are considered.
The 2027 application opened August 19 and closes November 11, 2026. Students apply through Common App, and the Foundation’s FAQ says there is no application fee. The deadline is close, so arrange recommendations from teachers who know your work, gather academic records and test results, and prepare family financial information early. The Foundation expects to notify semifinalists in January 2027 and announce scholarship recipients in March.
Before submitting, work with your high-school counselor and use Cooke’s official portal to make sure the application and recommendations are complete. Compare each college’s net price with its institutional aid offer: the Cooke scholarship supplements that package, and the amount varies by student. Email scholarships@jkcf.org with eligibility or document questions. Do not pay an intermediary; the official application is free.
Who it serves and what it can cover: A last-dollar scholarship of up to $55,000 per year for college costs after institutional aid. The 2027 cohort requires a high-school senior, at least a 3.75 unweighted GPA, SAT/ACT/AP/IB score submission, and financial need; families with gross income up to $95,000 may be considered after financial review.
How to apply or get help: The application for students entering college in fall 2027 is open through November 11, 2026. The Foundation lists scholarships@jkcf.org for questions; applications are submitted through Common App. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
National private scholarship for high-school seniors with financial need