Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program
A five-year, individually advised scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need, applied for in grade 7.
Run by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Key facts
- Eligible grades
-
Currently in 7th grade and/or entering 8th grade in the autumn of 2027. This is a single-grade window: you can only apply in 7th grade.
Academic requirement: since the beginning of 6th grade, grades of all or mostly As, with no Cs or below in core academic subjects (English/language arts, maths, science, social studies/history).Source, checked 2026-09-02
- Eligible ages
-
Not confirmed. This organiser may set eligibility by grade rather than age. We do not convert one into the other.The Foundation sets eligibility by grade, not age.
- Individual or team
- Individual
- Where it runs
- Online · United States
- Entry cost
- FreeNo application fee is described on the Foundation's pages.
- Registration deadline
- Applications must be submitted by 28 April 2027 at 11:59 p.m. in your local time zone. Incomplete applications and late submissions will not be considered. 218 days leftThe Foundation has historically opened applications in the winter and closed them in spring. Confirm on jkcf.org, since you can only apply in one specific school year.
- Competition dates
- Applications in winter and spring of grade 7, scholars announced in the summer before grade 8.
- Difficulty
- Highly competitiveNational-level field. Expect months of structured work, and usually a coach or a strong team.
- Prizes
- A five-year pre-college scholarship running from 8th through 12th grade. It provides individualised educational advising, help identifying a rigorous high school, four-year planning, and funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities such as music and art lessons, supplemental classes and technology, plus annual summer programmes including two required Young Scholar events.Rather than a fixed cash award, the programme funds summer programmes, academic enrichment, technology and college preparation tailored to each scholar, alongside a dedicated educational adviser. Young Scholars are also eligible to apply for the Foundation's College Scholarship later.
What Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program is
The Young Scholars Program is a selective pre-college scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need, applied for in seventh grade and supporting the student through the whole of high school. Rather than a single cash award, it provides individualised advising, funding for summer programmes, academic enrichment and college preparation, plus support through the college application process.
How the competition works
Online application only; there is no paper version. A complete application includes the student application covering demographics, grades, activities, awards and writing, plus report cards from 6th and 7th grade. No test scores of any kind are required, including SAT, ACT and state standardised tests. The Foundation requires that essays and short answers are wholly the student's own work.
Eligibility notes
There is a household income ceiling, so this is a need-based programme as well as an achievement-based one. Applicants must be US citizens, permanent residents or hold eligible status; check the current requirements.
How to register
- Check the household income ceiling first, since this is a need-based programme and the ceiling determines eligibility.
- Apply during the spring of seventh grade. This is the only year you can apply, so a missed deadline cannot be recovered.
- Gather the academic records, recommendations and financial documentation the application requires.
- Submit before the spring deadline.
What skills you need
- Academic achievement
- Written application
- Articulating goals and circumstances
- Securing strong recommendations
Recommended resources
-
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
Eligibility including the income ceiling, application timeline and what the programme provides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply in a different grade?
No. The Young Scholars Program accepts applications only from students in seventh grade, which makes the deadline unusually unforgiving. If you miss it, the Foundation's College Scholarship remains available in your final year of high school.
Is it need-based?
Yes. There is a household income ceiling alongside the achievement requirements, so it is designed specifically for high-achieving students with financial need. Check the current income limit before applying.
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