The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in Lansdowne, Virginia, has announced the creation of a new scholarship program for graduating high school seniors.

Jack Kent Cooke Scholars will receive up to $30,000 a year for four years to attend an undergraduate institution, as well as college planning support and advice and networking opportunities from the foundation's larger scholar community. Scholarships will be awarded to high-performing seniors who matriculate in the fall of 2014; have a GPA of 3.5 or above and an SAT score of 1200 or above or an ACT composite score of at least 26; and can demonstrate financial need.

Applications will be accepted from late August to early November 2013, with the inaugural cohort of forty scholars to be announced in February 2014.

"We are looking for outstanding students across the country who stand out in their communities for their academic abilities and achievements, persistence, leadership, and demonstrated desire to help others," said JKCF vice president of programs Emily Froimson. "[In addition]...by providing scholars with one-on-one advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid and by offering multifaceted programming about how to transition to college and maximize the college student experience, [we aim] to ensure that our scholars have all the tools necessary to choose the right college and excel once they get there."