Young Scholars Program
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 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.
The Young Scholars Program application is now open.
Click here to apply.
Cooke Young Scholars Program Webinar
The Cooke Foundation is hosting a Young Scholars Program overview webinar on Wednesday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern). We encourage you to attend this webinar in addition to an application workshop to learn more about the Cooke Young Scholars Program.
Application Workshops
Join Tammie Stewart, Program Outreach Manager at the Center for Talent Development, for a free application workshop. She will provide specifics about the Cooke Young Scholars Program and help students begin their applications.
Wednesday, February 25 at 5:00 p.m. (Central)
Thursday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. (Central) – Spanish Interpreter available
Saturday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m. (Central)
Tuesday, April 7 at 5:00 p.m. (Central)
Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. (Central)
Program Experience
Educational Advisers support Young Scholars to maximize high school experiences and to go on to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. Our programming and support may include:
- Identifying an appropriately rigorous high school.
- Engaging in four-year planning and goal-setting.
- Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons, supplemental academic classes and technology.
- Annual summer programs, including two required Young Scholar programs.
- Year-round Young Scholars community programming.
- Networking opportunities with a high-achieving peer community.
“I have a really central belief that potential is universal, but opportunity is not.”
Contact Us
The application for the Cooke Young Scholars Program is now open. The deadline is April 29, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding your application, please use the chat in the lower right corner or email us at scholarships@jkcf.org.