Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship

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About                  
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation was established by the will of Jack Kent Cooke, American businessman and entrepreneur, who placed a high value on education. Within the Foundation are scholarship programs for young scholars, undergraduate transfers, and graduate students. The Foundation's aims include helping those of great academic potential who would otherwise be unable to pursue their educational goals.

Award                
Maximum award is $50,000 per year, to be used to attend any accredited graduate school in the U.S. or abroad. Award will cover a portion of educational expenses (tuition, fees, living) for length of approved graduate degree program, up to six years. The Foundation renews the award annually, contingent on academic performance and other factors.

Time                     
Up to 6 years; depends on length of graduate degree program.
 
Number               
About 40 each year.

Who’s Eligible
Current college senior or recent graduate from any accredited U.S. university or college, with a minimum GPA of 3.5, who is planning to begin their first year of a graduate degree program. Applicants must be nominated by their JKC faculty representative and cannot have been previously nominated.

Selection  Process
Very competitive.  Hundreds apply each year for a JKC scholarship. In addition to academic achievement, scholars are selected based on the following criteria: unmet financial need, will to succeed, leadership and public service, critical-thinking ability, and appreciation for the arts and humanities. Concerning the financial need factor, the selection committee will consider other scholarships and grants a student has earned as well as student's and family's income.

Pre-Application Process           
 OES Pre-application October 31, 2008.  Applicants will undergo a campus screening process prior to submitting the official application materials to the JKC Foundation. UT is allowed only two nominations per year. For pre-application form, click here. NOTE: you will need the latest version of Adobe Reader to use this form.

Application Process
Application due mid March 2009.  The application, 2 letters of recommendation, and the faculty representative nomination are completed online. The faculty representative also sends the following to JKC: official transcripts, applicant tax forms, parent financial information forms, and parent tax forms. Applicants in the Arts must also submit a portfolio of work. After receiving acceptance to graduate program and financial aid from their graduate institution, apllicants must also submit those to JKC (by early May).

Campus Contact
Office of External Scholarships, F101 Melrose Hall, (865)974-7825.  Call or email to schedule appointment early in the Fall semester.

Official Website           
http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/