Graduate Scholarship
The Cooke Graduate Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Cooke Scholars and recent Alumni to support them to complete graduate degrees at top institutions.
Selected Graduate Scholars could be eligible for up to $150,000, with a $75,000 annual scholarship cap, to contribute to the cost of attendance of graduate programs that are:
- degree-granting
- full-time
- in-person or hybrid (not fully online)
- at a not-for-profit institution
- at an accredited institution
- at an institution that will act as a pass-through for Cooke stipend funding*
*Many international institutions will not act as pass-throughs for stipend funding. If you are considering attending an international institution, please check with the Foundation and, if necessary, the institution to confirm that it will receive and disburse stipend funds directly to Scholars.
We expect competitive Scholars to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Beyond course grades, we will look for distinguished academic achievement, engagement, leadership, unmet financial need, and involvement with the Cooke Foundation.
Scholars must apply for the Graduate Scholarship before beginning graduate school and must not have already enrolled in a graduate degree program. Scholars have up to three years to apply for this award after graduating from their Cooke Foundation-funded undergraduate degree program.
Selected recipients must agree to comply with Cooke Foundation requirements and requests for the duration of the scholarship. If you are selected, we will provide you with a complete list of requirements. Some key terms are:
- Scholars must pursue a course of study in a graduate degree program at an approved accredited institution, beginning with the fall 2023 term.
- Scholars must apply for federal and institutional financial assistance each year of study. The Cooke Foundation determines individual scholarship awards after reviewing each recipient’s other financial award offers. Please note that there is a $75,000 academic year cap. Please see the FAQs for further information.
Cooke International Award
Scholars applying for graduate programs at Oxford University and Cambridge University should apply for the Graduate Scholarship and are invited to submit supplemental materials to be considered for the Cooke Oxford/Cambridge Award. Two Scholars or recent Alums will be selected as the Cooke Oxford/Cambridge Scholars. These Scholars will receive benefits beyond the Graduate Scholarship, and additional financial support above the $150,000 currently available to Cooke Graduate Scholars. Applicants for these named awards have additional requirements that must be met to apply for these awards. Further information about the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge can be found in the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Selection Process
The Cooke Graduate Award is a competitive scholarship. The number of scholarships varies depending on the number of competitive applications we receive for the award. Scholars compete against their own record, not against fellow Scholars. Putting forward your best application possible is essential to help the committee as it selects from a large group of qualified, talented scholars.
Applicants must complete the online application and submit all required supplemental materials. Scholars interested in applying for the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge have additional requirements. Please be sure to review the FAQs below for further information.
Selection Criteria
The Foundation reviews applications with close attention to a Scholar’s purpose for graduate studies, achievement, engagement, leadership, unmet financial need, and involvement with the Cooke Foundation.
- Purpose for graduate studies: Scholar thoroughly articulates their purpose for pursuing their chosen field of study and preferred graduate program.
- Achievement: Scholar demonstrates high academic achievement, academic awards and honors, rigorous undergraduate studies, and a substantive assessment by a professor or supervisor providing a confidential recommendation.
- Unmet financial need: Scholar demonstrates unmet financial need, which has two components. 1) Education costs that exceed to an appreciable degree other grant awards, and 2) insufficient student and family income to meet these educational costs.
- Engagement and Leadership: Scholar has engaged in on- or off-campus experiences relevant to their chosen field of study and preferred graduate program. These criteria may be demonstrated through research activities, field studies, internships, leadership positions in clubs and organizations, service, publications, and presentations.
- Involvement with the Cooke Foundation: Scholar has submitted forms, bills, transcripts, and other required materials on time, provided substantive responses to periodic and annual surveys, and assisted in recruiting future Cooke Scholars, and participated in other Cooke Foundation activities.
The Cooke Graduate Scholarship application is currently closed. Email gradscholars@jkcf.org with any questions about the 2023-2024 application.
Selected Graduate Scholars could be eligible for up to $150,000, with a $75,000 annual scholarship cap, to contribute to the cost of attendance of graduate programs that are:
- degree-granting
- full-time
- in-person or hybrid (not fully online)
- at a not-for-profit institution
- at an accredited institution
- at an institution that will act as a pass-through for Cooke stipend funding*
*Many international institutions will not act as pass-throughs for stipend funding. If you are considering attending an international institution, please check with the Foundation and, if necessary, the institution to confirm that it will receive and disburse stipend funds directly to Scholars.
We expect competitive Scholars to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Beyond course grades, we will look for distinguished academic achievement, engagement, leadership, unmet financial need, and involvement with the Cooke Foundation.
Scholars must apply for the Graduate Scholarship before beginning graduate school and must not have already enrolled in a graduate degree program. Scholars have up to three years to apply for this award after graduating from their Cooke Foundation-funded undergraduate degree program.
Selected recipients must agree to comply with Cooke Foundation requirements and requests for the duration of the scholarship. If you are selected, we will provide you with a complete list of requirements. Some key terms are:
- Scholars must pursue a course of study in a graduate degree program at an approved accredited institution, beginning with the fall 2023 term.
- Scholars must apply for federal and institutional financial assistance each year of study. The Cooke Foundation determines individual scholarship awards after reviewing each recipient’s other financial award offers. Please note that there is a $75,000 academic year cap. Please see the FAQs for further information.
Cooke International Award
Scholars applying for graduate programs at Oxford University and Cambridge University should apply for the Graduate Scholarship and are invited to submit supplemental materials to be considered for the Cooke Oxford/Cambridge Award. Two Scholars or recent Alums will be selected as the Cooke Oxford/Cambridge Scholars. These Scholars will receive benefits beyond the Graduate Scholarship, and additional financial support above the $150,000 currently available to Cooke Graduate Scholars. Applicants for these named awards have additional requirements that must be met to apply for these awards. Further information about the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge can be found in the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Selection Process
The Cooke Graduate Award is a competitive scholarship. The number of scholarships varies depending on the number of competitive applications we receive for the award. Scholars compete against their own record, not against fellow Scholars. Putting forward your best application possible is essential to help the committee as it selects from a large group of qualified, talented scholars.
Applicants must complete the online application and submit all required supplemental materials. Scholars interested in applying for the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge have additional requirements. Please be sure to review the FAQs below for further information.
Selection Criteria
The Foundation reviews applications with close attention to a Scholar’s purpose for graduate studies, achievement, engagement, leadership, unmet financial need, and involvement with the Cooke Foundation.
- Purpose for graduate studies: Scholar thoroughly articulates their purpose for pursuing their chosen field of study and preferred graduate program.
- Achievement: Scholar demonstrates high academic achievement, academic awards and honors, rigorous undergraduate studies, and a substantive assessment by a professor or supervisor providing a confidential recommendation.
- Unmet financial need: Scholar demonstrates unmet financial need, which has two components. 1) Education costs that exceed to an appreciable degree other grant awards, and 2) insufficient student and family income to meet these educational costs.
- Engagement and Leadership: Scholar has engaged in on- or off-campus experiences relevant to their chosen field of study and preferred graduate program. These criteria may be demonstrated through research activities, field studies, internships, leadership positions in clubs and organizations, service, publications, and presentations.
- Involvement with the Cooke Foundation: Scholar has submitted forms, bills, transcripts, and other required materials on time, provided substantive responses to periodic and annual surveys, and assisted in recruiting future Cooke Scholars, and participated in other Cooke Foundation activities.
The Cooke Graduate Scholarship application is currently closed. Email gradscholars@jkcf.org with any questions about the 2023-2024 application.
Minimum Eligibility
To be eligible for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship, at a minimum, a candidate must:
- Be a graduating Cooke Scholar (completing undergraduate studies during the 2022-23 academic year) or recent Alum (within the last three years),
- Have demonstrated high academic achievement,
- Plan to attend their first graduate degree program—a full-time, in-person program at an accredited not-for-profit institution—to begin studies in fall 2023,
- Apply for all financial aid available from institutional, federal, and state sources, and
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
If you have questions about your eligibility, please first review the FAQs below. If you need further information, please contact us at gradscholars@jkcf.org.
The Cooke Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, marital status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Foundation Staff, board members, and their families are not eligible to apply.
Guidelines and Resources
2023 Cooke Graduate Scholarship Information Sheet
Graduate Scholarship and Fellowship Resources
Guidelines and Resources
2023 Cooke Graduate Scholarship Information Sheet
Graduate Scholarship and Fellowship Resources
Graduate Scholarship FAQs
Application Process and Deadlines
How do I submit my supporting documents and when are they due?
Upload all required documents into your online application according to the directions in the application. The online application, including all required supporting documents, must be submitted by January 10, 2023.
How do I know if my application is complete?
You will not be able to submit your application until all required fields are complete. Any outstanding requirements will be listed in the Review section of your application.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you have successfully submitted your application and your recommendation has been submitted, your application is complete.
Does the Foundation account for my community college GPA?
The application requests your cumulative GPA and the GPA you earned from your Foundation-funded undergraduate institution. Both GPAs will be taken into consideration during the review process.
Which transcripts do I need to submit?
Please submit your official fall 2022 transcript if you are currently enrolled in school. If you are an Alum, please submit your final transcript from your undergraduate institution.
When will I submit my financial information?
You must complete the financial section in the online application and upload your 2021 tax forms. These forms help the Foundation assess whether you have unmet financial need.
What if I don’t file taxes and don’t have tax documents? What should I upload?
If you do not have W-2s or tax documents, please upload a letter of explanation instead.
Can I email, mail, or fax the application form?
You must submit your application online. The Foundation will not consider applications submitted by email, mail, or fax.
When is the application due?
The application and all supporting materials must be completed and submitted online by January 10, 2023 (by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time).
Who do I contact with questions?
If you have questions about the Cooke Graduate Scholarship, please email us at gradscholars@jkcf.org or call (571)-799-8067. We are available between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Where do I go to get started?
On the How to Apply page, click on the Apply Now link to access the online application, which will be available in mid- to late October 2022.
I created an account, and now I cannot log back in. What should I do?
Do not save the link to your online application to your favorites. Instead, please always access the application through the website. Click on the “Apply Now” link on the How to Apply page to log back into your application. If that doesn’t work, please contact us at gradscholars@jkcf.org.
How do I change my password?
If you have forgotten your password, go to the login page in the online application and click on the “Forgot Password?” link to have the instructions to reset the password emailed to you.
Do I need to be nominated for this award?
There is no nomination process for the Graduate Scholarship. Scholars apply directly to the Cooke Foundation via the online application.
Do I need a recommendation?
Yes, you are required to submit one recommendation. The recommendation form must be submitted online by your recommender. You may request the recommendation in your online application by clicking on the “Request” button and following the directions on that page. You are encouraged to send the request to your recommender as soon as possible. Your recommender is instructed to upload a recommendation they have already written for you for your graduate school applications. They are not required to write a new recommendation specifically for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. Please see the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge section if you are applying for the Cooke Oxford or Cambridge Awards. There are different recommendation requirements.
How does the recommender verify and submit a recommendation?
Your recommender will receive an email immediately after you send the request via the online application. The email message will provide the recommender with a link to complete the recommendation form. The recommender must click “Submit” to certify that the recommendation is complete.
Recommenders will know their job is done when they receive an email that says that the recommendation has been submitted. You will also receive a confirmation email. The status of your recommendation will then change to “Submitted” on the Graduate Scholarship Recommendation section in your application.
Your application is not considered complete until your recommendation is received.
I changed my mind about my recommender. Can I request a recommendation from someone else?
Yes. Select the “Edit” hyperlink under the status icon. Select “Exclude,” and then you will be given an option to add a new recommender.
Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge
How are the applications reviewed for the Cooke International Awards?
After the deadline, we will review applicants for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards by committee and select the two Cooke Oxford /Cambridge Scholars.
When should I submit my application(s) to Oxford and/or Cambridge?
As the deadlines for Oxford and Cambridge vary, please check their website for the exact dates. Generally, the deadlines fall in late January. We expect that you will NOT have submitted your Oxford/Cambridge application until you have met with the Associate for Graduate Advisement, so please plan your meeting according to your Oxford and Cambridge deadlines. Part of the review process for the Cooke International Awards is to provide feedback to strengthen your application to the school.
When will I hear if I have been named one of the Cooke Oxford Scholars or the Cooke Cambridge Scholar?
Awarding of the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge is contingent upon acceptance to the University of Oxford (Brasenose or Lincoln Colleges) or the University of Cambridge (Clare College) and thus will not be announced until the Oxford and Cambridge admission offers have been made.
What if I don’t receive the Cooke Oxford Award or the Cooke Cambridge Award, but I’m accepted to Oxford or Cambridge?
If you are accepted to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge but not selected as a Cooke Oxford or Cooke Cambridge Scholar, then you may use the Cooke Graduate Scholarship at Oxford, Cambridge, or elsewhere. The most significant differences are that you will not be the named Cooke Oxford or Cooke Cambridge Scholar, and you are eligible for up to $150,000 total to be used for up to four years.
How much are the Cooke Oxford and Cambridge awards worth?
The award is for up to $85,000 per year for up to four years of study at Lincoln College or Brasenose College at the University of Oxford or Clare College at the University of Cambridge.
Are there specific fields of study that I must pursue at Oxford and Cambridge?
Most programs of study at the University of Oxford are eligible for these awards, but a few are not (art history and anthropology are not eligible programs at Lincoln College at the University of Oxford). There are no restrictions on the graduate programs applicants may pursue at Brasenose College at the University of Oxford or Clare College at the University of Cambridge. Please contact us if you have questions about whether your field of study is eligible (gradscholars@jkcf.org).
How do I apply to the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge?
To be eligible for the International Award, please meet with the Associate for Graduate Advisement before December 1, 2022. You may email gradscholars@jkcf.org to schedule a meeting or attend the Graduate Scholarship office hours (see email communications about the Graduate Scholarship). At this meeting, you will discuss your plans for study at Oxford or Cambridge and have an opportunity to receive feedback on your application. For all International Award applicants, please submit your Graduate Scholarship Application after you meet with the Associate for Graduate Advisement, not before.
After meeting with the Associate for Graduate Advisement, apply for the Cooke International Awards online through the Cooke Graduate Scholarship application. Complete all sections of the application.
Do I still need to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship?
The Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge are part of the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. You will see in the online application for the Graduate Scholarship that you must submit supplemental information to be considered for the Oxford or Cambridge awards. The two application processes go hand-in-hand. If you are not selected as an Oxford Scholar or Cambridge Scholar, your application will still be considered for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship.
Which additional materials do I need?
You are asked to submit all application materials required by Oxford and Cambridge, including your personal/research statement, CV, writing samples, and recommendations.
Is there a different deadline for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards?
No. The deadline for submitting materials for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards is the same as the deadline for completing the Cooke Graduate Scholarship application – January 10, 2023.
How many recommendations do I need to submit for the Cooke International Awards?
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, please ignore the recommendation section of the Cooke Graduate Scholarship online application. We ask that instead you submit your Oxford or Cambridge recommendations as a supplemental form in the Cooke International Awards section of the online application. If you do not have access to your recommendations, your recommenders can send them to us directly at gradscholars@jkcf.org.
Can I submit my Oxford/Cambridge recommendations directly to the Foundation?
If you have your Oxford/Cambridge recommendations, please submit them in the Cooke International Awards section of the online application. If your recommenders have not provided you with a copy of your recommendations, please ask the recommenders to email the letters to gradscholars@jkcf.org.
I cannot submit my application because I don’t have the “Request” section complete since my Oxford/Cambridge recommendations will be submitted separately. What should I do?
If you are applying for the Oxford or Cambridge Award, you do not submit the recommendation via the “Request” section of the Graduate Scholarship application. Instead, you may upload your Oxford/Cambridge recommendations to the Oxford/Cambridge section, or your recommenders may email them directly to us. Your application cannot be submitted since the “Request” section of the online application will not be 100% complete. Please email us by the deadline to let us know that your application is complete, and we will “force” it through to the next stage.
Do the recipients of these awards get any additional benefits?
The selected Cooke Oxford/Cambridge Scholars receive all of the benefits of the Graduate Scholarship plus additional benefits, including individual guidance from a college advisor at Oxford or Cambridge, guaranteed living arrangements near Lincoln College or Brasenose College, Oxford or Clare College, Cambridge, and additional financial support.
Do I have to apply to a particular college at Oxford or Cambridge?
Yes, please indicate in your application to the University of Oxford that you are applying to Lincoln College and/or Brasenose College. In your application to the University of Cambridge, please select that you are applying to Clare College.
Lincoln or Brasenose College are not options on my Oxford application. What should I do?
If Lincoln College (or Brasenose College) is not an option on your Oxford application, please select your top choice college at Oxford. If you do not have a preference, choose: “I do not have a preference.”
Can I pursue additional degrees at a different institution with the Cooke Graduate Scholarship?
If your program at Oxford or Cambridge is less than four years in length, you may also pursue an additional graduate degree (at a different institution) for one to three years depending on the time remaining and length of your proposed degree program. Please be sure to request both graduate degrees in your Graduate Scholarship application. If you do not, the award will end after your first degree.
Who should apply for the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge?
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, please take a look at admissions criteria on their websites to compare your eligibility to your chosen graduate program’s eligibility requirements (each program differs and has different deadlines). In general, a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above would make you a competitive candidate for admission to Oxford or Cambridge. Both have a myriad of program options to consider:
- Oxford – http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/courses-a-z-listing.
- Cambridge – http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
Eligibility
I am currently in graduate school. Am I eligible?
No. Scholars must apply before they begin graduate school.
I have taken graduate-level courses. Am I still eligible?
As long as your graduate-level courses were less than the equivalent of a semester of full-time study, you may still be eligible to apply. Please contact us (gradscholars@jkcf.org) to determine your eligibility if you have already taken graduate-level courses.
I have received a graduate-level certificate. Am I still eligible?
Generally, students with graduate-level certificates are ineligible. If you have not received a graduate degree or completed significant graduate-level coursework (less than a full semester), you may still be eligible to apply. Please contact us (gradscholars@jkcf.org) to determine your eligibility.
Am I eligible if I am an undergraduate scholar in a 3+2 or 4+1 degree program? If so, when do I apply?
Yes, students in blended undergraduate/graduate programs are eligible. You should apply for the scholarship before beginning the graduate coursework portion of your degree program. For example, if your graduate coursework starts in fall 2023 or spring 2024, you should apply by the January 2023 deadline. If there is no clear delineation between your undergraduate and graduate coursework, please contact the Foundation (gradscholars@jkcf.org) to determine your eligibility and when to apply.
I have already received a graduate degree, but I plan to pursue a second graduate degree. Am I eligible for this award?
No. Only Cooke Scholars who have not already enrolled in graduate school or earned a graduate degree are eligible.
My graduate program begins in spring 2023. Am I eligible to apply?
This award is for students who will begin graduate study in fall 2023. If your program begins in spring 2023, please contact us (gradscholars@jkcf.org) to discuss eligibility. If your program begins in summer 2023 and you are required to start then, you may request funding for the summer 2023 term.
I haven’t begun graduate school yet, but I plan to pursue a joint M.P.P/J.D. I have received full funding for an M.P.P.; am I still eligible for support for the J.D.? If so, when do I apply?
You must apply before beginning the first graduate degree program, but the award can be used for the second degree only if that is how you wish to allocate the funds. For example, if you plan to pursue an M.P.P and then a J.D., you must apply before beginning your M.P.P program, but you can still use the graduate scholarship for the J.D. program only if you wish.
Can I use the scholarships for more than one degree?
Yes. If you plan to pursue more than one graduate degree, please include all proposed graduate degree programs, including joint degrees. Additional degrees may not be added after the scholarship has been awarded.
What if I have a full ride to my selected graduate school, am I still eligible?
Yes, you are eligible for the Graduate Scholarship even if you have a full ride from your graduate institution. Often, a “full ride” does not cover all costs of attendance so you may still have financial need or may need funding in a future year.
If I do not receive the award, can I apply again in the future?
Scholars who applied for the 2023 Cooke Graduate Scholarship may be eligible to reapply for the 2024 Cooke Graduate Scholarship as long as they have not started graduate school.
Will the Cooke Foundation allow me to defer my scholarship if my graduate plans change before fall 2023?
No. Scholars should only apply for the scholarship if they plan to begin graduate school in fall 2023. If you need to defer your funding, you will have to reapply for the scholarship.
Where can I find someone to talk to about graduate school?
Please contact your educational adviser or the Associate for Graduate Advisement if you have questions about graduate school, different fields of study, or career options. They can help guide you through the graduate school search and application process. They can also put you in touch with other Scholars/Alums in your field.
Do I need to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship before I graduate from my undergraduate institution?
No. You must apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship prior to beginning graduate school. For example, if you are currently in your senior year and plan to begin graduate school in fall 2023, you should apply during the 2023 award cycle (i.e., by the January 2023 deadline). However, if you plan to work or get other experience before beginning graduate school, you should apply later, the year before you begin graduate school. You can apply within three years of completing your Foundation-funded undergraduate degree.
How long am I eligible to apply for the award?
Generally, you have three years from the time you graduate from your undergraduate degree institution to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. For the 2023 competition, Scholars who graduated in spring 2020 or later are eligible.
There is an exception to the three-year window: If you applied for, but did not receive, the 2022 Cooke Graduate Scholarship, you may be eligible to apply for the 2023 Cooke Graduate Scholarship, even if you exceed the three years of eligibility, as long as you have not/will not begin graduate school before fall 2023.
If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact the Foundation (gradscholars@jkcf.org).
Do I have to be accepted to graduate school before applying?
We expect that you will be in the process of applying to graduate school, but most likely have not yet received your acceptance. You must plan to begin graduate school in fall 2023.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
There is no specific GPA cut-off, but we expect that competitive Scholars will have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. As part of a holistic review, we go beyond GPA to look for demonstrations of distinguished achievement, engagement, and leadership. In addition, we consider unmet financial need and involvement with the Cooke Foundation. In 2021, the average cumulative GPA of selected applicants was 3.73; however, GPA alone is not a deciding factor.
What does it mean to be a Scholar “in good standing”?
To be considered a Scholar in good standing, you submitted scholarship forms, bills, transcripts, and other required materials on time. Additionally, you provided substantive responses to periodic and annual surveys, assisted in recruiting future Cooke Scholars, and participated in other Cooke Foundation activities.
Selection Process
Are there a specific number of scholarships?
The number of scholarships awarded varies depending on the number of competitive applications we receive. The Foundation has not limited the number of awards it will provide. However, as this is a competitive scholarship, not all applicants are likely to receive an award.
What are my chances of receiving the scholarship?
Scholars compete against their own records, not against fellow Scholars. Putting forward your best application possible is essential to help the committee as it selects from a large group of qualified, talented Scholars.
When will I find out if I am selected to receive the scholarship?
We will inform applicants of the Cooke Foundation’s decision in March 2023. Scholars applying for the Cooke International Awards, please see the FAQs about the Cooke International Awards.
How many other Cooke Scholars will I compete against?
You do not compete against other Scholars but your own record. The number of scholarships awarded varies depending on the number of competitive applications received.
What the Scholarship Covers
Can I defer my scholarship between graduate degrees?
If you indicate plans for multiple graduate degrees on your Graduate Scholarship application, you can apply for one year of deferral after your first graduate degree.
Is there an annual cap on the scholarship?
Yes, there is an annual scholarship cap of $75,000 in any one academic year.
How much is the award worth?
The award is for up to $150,000 total for up to four years of study in an approved graduate degree program. PLEASE NOTE: The maximum annual award amount is capped at $75,000. The amount of every scholarship varies, depending on the cost of attendance and other scholarships or grants received. If you are selected, the Cooke Foundation determines the amount of its award after reviewing the financial aid package from your graduate institution.
Which expenses does the award cover?
The award must be used for educational expenses that appear on the cost of attendance form. Scholars must consult with the Foundation about how they would like funds allocated each year of their graduate degree program(s).
Can I decide how the funding is allocated during my program?
Scholars can decide how to allocate the $150,000 (e.g., $50,000 each year of a three-year program). The actual scholarship amount, however, will be determined according to the costs of the school attended and will not exceed $150,000 in total. The award must be used within four years of the award date; any remaining funds cannot be used after the four-year mark.
Can this award be used for a graduate-level certificate program, post-baccalaureate program, or non-degree programs?
No. This award must be used for a graduate or professional degree program at an accredited graduate institution in the U.S. or abroad.
My graduate program is at a foreign institution. Can I use this award there?
Yes, Cooke Scholars may use the award to attend any accredited graduate school in the U.S. or abroad to pursue any graduate or professional degree. If you plan to study at Oxford or Cambridge Universities, please see the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge FAQs.
Can I defer my scholarship between my undergraduate and graduate degrees?
If you need to defer your funding, you will have to reapply for the scholarship. Scholars should only apply for the scholarship if they plan to begin graduate school in fall 2023.
Do I have to reapply every year for the scholarship?
No. The Cooke Foundation may renew the scholarship annually until completion of the Scholar’s approved graduate degree(s) (up to four years) or until the $150,000 has been exhausted, whichever comes first, provided the Scholar has maintained strong academic performance, exhibited good conduct, made significant progress toward a degree, and complied with the Cooke Foundation’s administrative requirements and requests.
Contact Us
If you have further questions after viewing the graduate scholarship materials, please email us at gradscholars@jkcf.org.