The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in Lansdowne, Virginia, has announced scholarships to 60 high-achieving community college students who will use their awards to transfer to and enroll in a four-year college or university. 

Selected from more than 1,700 students attending a total of 448 community colleges, the 2023 Transfer Scholars will receive up to $55,000 a year as well as comprehensive counseling, internship, and study abroad opportunities; funding for graduate school; and opportunities to engage with program alumni. Scholars were selected based on academic achievement and persistence, financial need, and leadership potential. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, community college enrollment has increased by 2 percent nationwide. 

The program is designed to boost the number of community college students completing their education at top four-year institutions. According to the foundation, community college students who transfer to selective four-year institutions have similar or better graduation rates than students who enroll directly in such institutions from high school or transfer into one from another four-year institution.

“There are so many bright and persistent community college students in our nation who we know will thrive at four-year institutions if they can find a way to transfer without being weighed down by a heavy financial burden,” said Jack Kent Cooke Foundation executive director Seppy Basili. “We are excited to welcome yet another cohort of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars to our community after learning about them through their applications and seeing their unbound potential.” 

For a complete list of the 2023 Cooke Transfer Scholars, see the Jack Kent Cook Foundation website. 

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