In an effort to help exceptional Lakeland students and very recent alumni transfer to a four-year institution, the college is accepting nominations on behalf of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF).

Through their initiative, the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program, the JKCF will award up to $55,000 annually per recipient to help promising students and recent alumni from community colleges and two-year institutions pursue four-year degrees at selective accredited colleges or universities in the United States.

All candidates for the scholarship must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, be a current Lakeland student with sophomore status by January 2024 or a recent graduate (who has not started at a four-year institution), plan to transfer to an accredited four-year institution in fall 2024 and show unmet financial need.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

The scholarship application and additional information can be found here.

The JKCF scholarships can provide funding for tuition, room and board, required fees and books for the length of the undergraduate degree, generally two to three years. Each award can total up to $55,000 annually, though the amounts will vary based on such factors as the cost of the institution each recipient attends and other aid received. Additional scholarship benefits include access to personal advising about selecting a college, navigating financial aid and maximizing their experience at their new institution. Cooke Scholars are also eligible for opportunities for internships, conference stipends, and study abroad, and the Cooke Graduate Scholarship.

The Foundation plans to award approximately 100 scholarships through this program in spring 2024, although the number of awards varies each year. It will renew awards each year based upon student performance.

Further questions can be directed to Dr. Matthew Hiner, professor of history and adviser of Lakeland’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, at mhiner@lakelandcc.edu.

About the foundation
A self-made billionaire from humble beginnings, Jack Kent Cooke envisioned a foundation dedicated to supporting students who defy their economic circumstances and perform at the highest academic levels.

For more information about other JCK Programs and Scholarships, visit www.jkcf.org

By: Kerry Ann Jonke, Asst Director Market & Communi