The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship is one of the largest undergraduate scholarships in the United States: high-achieving high school seniors with financial need can receive up to $55,000 per year for college, covering tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Applications for the 2027 class close on November 11, 2026, and the scholarship is open to graduating US seniors with a GPA of 3.75 or higher whose family income is up to $95,000.
Official program details checked October 2, 2026. Excelsior Scholarships is an independent publisher and does not select Cooke Scholars.
Cooke College Scholarship Program 2027 at a glance
| Item | Requirement or benefit |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 11, 2026 |
| College entry | Fall 2027 |
| Maximum annual award | Up to $55,000; individual funding varies |
| GPA | At least 3.75 cumulative, unweighted |
| Test scores | SAT, ACT, AP or IB; no minimum score stated |
| Family income guideline | Up to $95,000 annual gross income, subject to a full financial review |
| Application platform | Common App |
The official College Scholarship Program page describes the funding and advising. Use the Foundation’s application instructions for the current cycle.
The Foundation selects about 60 new Cooke Scholars each year. It also runs the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship for community college students, which closes on December 9, 2026 and offers up to $55,000 per year for up to three years.
Who meets the scholarship requirements?
Applicants must be seniors planning to graduate in spring 2027 after four years of high school in the United States, a U.S. territory or on a U.S. military base. They must plan to enter an accredited four-year college in fall 2027 and meet the academic and financial criteria.
Read the Foundation’s eligibility and application FAQs for residency, homeschooling and other circumstances. U.S. citizenship is not required, but the program’s residence and high school attendance requirements still apply.
A strong weighted GPA does not automatically show that you meet the unweighted threshold. Ask your counselor to confirm the figure your school reports. Gather financial information with your family early; the Foundation reviews income and assets rather than treating one number as an automatic award decision.
Are test scores required for 2027?
Yes. The current instructions require scores from at least one of these tests: SAT, ACT, AP or IB. The Foundation does not state a minimum score to apply. A college’s test-optional policy does not change this scholarship requirement.
Check that your self-reported test name, date and score match your records. If you have more than one eligible test, follow the application’s instructions on which results to report. Keep a copy of the score information for your own review.
What does up to $55,000 per year mean?
Cooke funding is last-dollar support after institutional aid. The individual award depends on educational expenses and other funding. The program also provides college planning and ongoing advising. The annual maximum is a ceiling, not a promise that every recipient receives the same amount.
Build your budget from actual college costs and confirmed aid offers. Compare tuition, housing, required fees and books, then identify what remains uncovered. Keep scholarship applications separate from college admission and school financial aid forms.
If you are eligible for federal student aid, the FAFSA 2027-28 checklist can help you organize that separate application.
How to apply through Common App
- Add the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to your Common App college list to access its scholarship questions.
- Complete your academic, activity, test score and financial information accurately.
- Write the scholarship responses around evidence of learning, leadership and persistence.
- Invite your recommenders and coordinate the school documents with your counselor.
- Review the application requirements, submit by the deadline and keep the confirmation.
The application calls for two academic recommendations and one counselor recommendation. One academic recommender should be an 11th-grade core subject teacher. Check the instructions for the second recommender and have your counselor coordinate transcripts and the School Report.
Give recommenders a short summary of your goals and specific work they have seen. A useful reminder identifies the application, deadline and outstanding task. Send requests with enough lead time for them to write thoughtful assessments.
Make your application specific
The Foundation considers academic achievement, leadership, persistence and unmet financial need. Match each example to what it actually demonstrates. For leadership, describe the decision you made and who benefited. For persistence, explain how your approach changed after a setback. For academic curiosity, discuss a question you pursued beyond the minimum assignment.
Use the college application checklist to track separate student, teacher and counselor tasks. If you are also considering a shorter application, compare the Courage to Grow Scholarship guide.
Related reading: the QuestBridge Scholarship and full ride scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship?
Up to $55,000 per year, renewable. It is last-dollar funding, so the final amount depends on your college’s cost and your other aid.
When is the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship deadline?
The College Scholarship Program deadline is November 11, 2026. Applications opened on August 19, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship?
Graduating US high school seniors with financial need who plan to start at an accredited four-year college in fall 2027.
What GPA do you need for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship?
An unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above. Families with income up to $95,000 are considered.
Does the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship cover full tuition?
It can cover a significant share of your costs — tuition, living expenses, books and required fees — up to $55,000 per year, calculated after your college’s own aid.
Is the Cooke College Scholarship a guaranteed full ride?
No. Awards vary according to costs and other aid, up to the annual program maximum.
Can I apply without SAT or ACT scores?
The program also accepts AP or IB exam scores. You still need a score from at least one accepted test type.
Does meeting the minimum GPA guarantee selection?
No. It establishes one eligibility condition. The Foundation reviews the complete application.
When should I begin requesting recommendations?
Begin well before the November deadline. Teachers and counselors need time to prepare and submit their parts.