Cooke Foundation Announces 2017 Class of College Scholars from 28 States

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May 31, 2017, 13:45 ET

LANSDOWNE, Va., May 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which awards the largest scholarships in the United States to outstanding students with financial need, has selected 80 high school students from 28 states and the District of Columbia to receive Cooke College Scholarships that are each worth up to $40,000 annually for four years.

The new Cooke College Scholars were chosen from more than 5,100 scholarship applicants with a median family income of $31,000.

"Our scholarships have enabled extraordinarily talented students from families with modest incomes to attend top colleges and universities and graduate with honors," said Cooke Foundation Executive Director Harold O. Levy. "These scholarships are an investment in a better and more prosperous future not just for our scholars but for our nation, because America will benefit for decades to come from the career achievements of Cooke Scholars."

The scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid, plus academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad and opportunities to network with other Cooke Scholars and alumni.

Cooke College Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service to others and leadership. Students must be current high school seniors residing in the United States. Scholarships are awarded without respect to religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, geographic region, race or ethnicity.

In addition to the Cooke College Scholarship, the Cooke Foundation provides scholarships to students from 8^th through 12^th grades, and for community college students to transfer to four-year colleges.After graduating with bachelor's degrees, Cooke Scholars may be eligible for a Cooke Graduate Scholarship.

A state-by-state list of the new College Scholars, along with the members of the 2017 Selection Committee, can be found here.

The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded $175 million in scholarships to more than 2,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The foundation has also provided over $97 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Media Contact: David Egner
703-723-8000
[email protected]

SOURCE Jack Kent Cooke Foundation