Six New Jersey Community College Students Awarded Prestigious National Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship to Finish Their Degrees at Four-Year InstitutionsSix New Jersey Community College Students Awarded Prestigious National Undergraduate

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced the 72 high achieving Community College students from across the country that were selected as recipients of their prestigious National Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $222 million in scholarships to over 2,800 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $115 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

Today, nearly half of the students pursuing college choose to attend two-year institutions. Research commissioned by the Foundation found that Community College students who transfer to four-year colleges and universities have equal to or higher graduation rates as students who enrolled directly from high school or transferred from four-year institutions. Yet, at the nation’s top colleges, only five percent have transferred from a Community College. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship seeks to increase the number of Community College students completing their education at top four-year institutions.

“We are honored to recognize these six New Jersey students for their achievements and dedication to their communities and colleges especially during this challenging year,” said Dr. Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

The New Jersey recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation National Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship are:

The highly competitive national scholarship will provide selected students with up to $40,000 a year to transfer to a four-year institution and complete their bachelor’s degrees. In addition to financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

To date, over 1,000 students from all over the country have received the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Over 1,300 students from 370 Community Colleges applied for the 2021 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.