Cooke Young Scholars Program
Scholarship Overview: Pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need
Application Available: February 6, 2025
Deadline Date: April 30, 2025
Scholarship Details:
The application for the Cooke Young Scholars Program is currently closed. It will open on February 6, 2025.
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.
Eligibility requirements:
- Currently in 7th grade and/or entering 8th grade in the fall of 2025.
- Since the beginning of 6th grade, earned grades of all or mostly As in school, with no Cs or below in core academic subjects (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies/History).
- Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new Young Scholars had a median family income of approximately $36,800. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
- Reside in the United States and plan to attend high school in the U.S.
Application requirements:
- Student Application: Includes demographic information about applicant and family, and academic information such as grades and test scores, activities and awards, and writing.
- Parent/Guardian Form(s): Includes information from parent(s)/guardian(s) about applicant and household, as well as self-reported adjusted gross income. If applicable, we also require a form from the student’s non-custodial parent(s)/guardian(s).
- Report cards from 6th and 7th grade.
- Two Academic Recommendations. One must come from a teacher who taught you in a core academic subject during the past two years (i.e., English/language arts, math, science, social studies/history) and the other recommendation may come from a different core subject teacher or a non-core subject teacher in your school. If you are homeschooled, we strongly encourage you to obtain recommendations from educators you have interacted with other than your parents (for example, a teacher from a course you took at a local college, someone who has tutored you in an academic subject, an instructor with whom you have done research, etc.).
Application Requirements: Letter(s) of Recommendation
Award Amount: Varies
Award Details:
While Cooke Young Scholars are selected in the 8th grade, funding for services does not begin until the summer before 9th grade. Successful Cooke Young Scholars use the scholarship to nurture academic skills, explore passions and interests, and stretch outside of their comfort zone. Cooke Young Scholars also make the most of their relationship with their educational adviser to learn how to set goals, make educational decisions, maximize opportunities, succeed in high school and prepare for college.
Website/URL: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/young-scholars-program/
Scholarship Manager Information:
Contact Email: scholarships@jkcf.org
Filters:
Eligibility: Financial Need
Areas of Study: Open to All
Applicant’s Current Education Level: Middle School Student
Location Specific: National