Scholar Spotlight
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FAQs
DESCRIPTION AND EXPECTATIONS
- What opportunities and support do Young Scholars receive?
- As a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar, what is expected of me?
- What does working with a Foundation educational adviser involve?
- What is an Individual Learning Plan (ILP)?
- Who decides what is included in a Young Scholar's ILP?
- How can I use the scholarship?
- Does the Young Scholars Program primarily provide boarding school scholarships?
- How long will scholarship support continue?
- Are there any mandatory requirements?
SELECTION PROCESS
- How many Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars are selected?
- What are the selection criteria?
- When and how are the scholarship winners announced?
APPLICATION CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS
- How old do I have to be to be eligible?
- How do I obtain application materials?
- Must I be eligible for one of the talent centers' programs to apply?
- Must I be a US citizen to apply?
- Are home-schooled students eligible to apply?
- Are high-achieving students who also have learning disabilities eligible to participate in the Young Scholars Program?
- What is the limit on a Young Scholar's family income?
- What grades in school do I need to qualify?
- What test scores do I need to qualify?
- How will I know that my application has been received?
- If the parent I don't live with is unwilling to complete the Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Financial Form, am I still eligible to apply?
KEY DATES
DESCRIPTION AND EXPECTATIONS
What opportunities and support do Young Scholars receive?
Working together as a team, the Young Scholar, parent or guardian, and a full-time Foundation educational adviser develop an Individual Learning Plan tailored to the student’s talents, educational goals, and financial situation. Each Young Scholar receives a unique combination of opportunities that may include:
- Guidance in selecting a high school and, if necessary, support in applying to a private or magnet high school.
- Summer academic or enrichment programs.
- Computers, software, or other learning technology.
- Specialized support in music, art, science, math, or other subjects.
- Connection with a nationwide community of Young Scholars.
- Resources for career exploration and mentorship.
- College advising and counseling.
As a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar, what is expected of me?
The Foundation expects Young Scholars and their families to communicate frequently and work closely with their designated Foundation educational adviser to develop and follow their Individual Learning Plans. The Foundation also expects Young Scholars to:
- Attend Welcome Weekend during the summer before 9th grade,
- Attend Reunion Weekend during the summer before 12th grade,
- Participate in summer enrichment opportunities,
- Try their best in all academic and personal endeavors,
- Be strong in character and leadership,
- Demonstrate concern about their communities,
- Show progress in all academic work,
- Maintain a good disciplinary record, and
- Work cooperatively with Foundation staff.
These expectations are outlined in a Letter of Agreement included in the award packet, signed by the Scholar and the Scholar's parent(s) or guardian(s). Families and Scholars discuss program expectations in depth with the educational adviser prior to signing.
What does working with a Foundation educational adviser involve?
Educational advisers collaborate with each Young Scholar and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to develop a Individual Learning Plan tailored to the student's talents and financial situation. Educational advisers also provide assistance with career exploration and college planning, review student performance, help set educational goals, and identify new areas for growth and learning. Young Scholars and their families are expected to communicate frequently with their educational advisers by phone, by email, and during in-person visits. Each educational adviser conducts home and school visits to each Young Scholar.
What is an Individual Learning Plan (ILP)?
This personalized document helps Young Scholars focus on their goals and develop plans to reach them. Each Plan offers an overview of the educational opportunities, support, and resources each Young Scholar will receive throughout the year, identifies needed resource materials and equipment, and sets timelines. The Foundation’s educational advisers write and monitor each Scholar's ILP, and maintain contact with service providers, vendors, and parent(s) or guardian(s).
Who decides what is included in a Young Scholar's ILP?
The Foundation educational adviser works closely with the Scholar, his/her family, and others to understand the abilities, talents, dreams, and goals for each Young Scholar. Educational advisers then develop individualized recommendations that can move the Scholar toward those goals. Family input is carefully considered, and parent(s) or guardian(s) always have the right to decline any recommendation. The Foundation’s program manager and other staff work directly with the educational adviser to assure that a realistic, balanced plan is presented to the Scholar and family.
How can I use the scholarship?
While Young Scholars are selected in the 8th grade, funding for services does not begin until the summer before 9th grade. The Foundation tailors opportunities to each student's unique needs and community resources, working with the Scholar and family each spring to develop a plan for the upcoming school year. Beginning in 9th grade, students may use the scholarship to attend academic summer, after-school, or weekend programs, and in some cases, to obtain counseling or tutoring. The Foundation may also fund the purchase of resources such as books, computers, supplemental educational tools, or computer software. For some Young Scholars, the awards fund a contribution to high school or special-program tuition.
Does the Young Scholars Program primarily provide boarding school scholarships?
No, the primary purpose of the program is to find challenging educational experiences for high schools students. In only a few cases does this include support for private boarding school. Educational advisers work with Young Scholars and their families to determine the suitability of their local public or magnet schools. Where suitable local school opportunities are available, scholarship funds will be used to enhance local educational opportunities through distance learning courses, summer programs, and other services. If no suitable local school option is available to meet the Scholar’s educational needs, the Foundation works with the Young Scholar and their families to apply for admission to and financial aid from a boarding, private, or parochial school. If the Scholar is admitted to a private school and the financial aid the family receives is inadequate to meet their financial need, the Foundation may contribute to these costs.
How long will scholarship support continue?
Each school year, the Foundation evaluates Young Scholars through a renewal process. Foundation staff consider the Scholar’s commitment to and participation in the program; working relationship with the designated Foundation educational adviser; academic performance; and progress, conduct, and motivation. When students have not met the expectation of the Young Scholars Program, the Foundation does not renew their participation in the program. The Foundation also takes disciplinary action during the year as necessary, up to and including expulsion from the program.
Are there any mandatory requirements?
During the summer before 9th grade, Young Scholars are required to participate in a Foundation-sponsored Young Scholars Welcome Weekend in the Washington, DC area. In the summer before 12th grade, Young Scholars are required to return to the Washington, DC area to participate in a Young Scholars Reunion Weekend.
Although it is not required, Young Scholars are also expected to participate in summer enrichment programs, which often include residential placement away from home.
SELECTION PROCESS
How many Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars are selected?
The Foundation chooses approximately 75 Young Scholars from across the country each year.
What are the selection criteria?
The Foundation reviews each application individually, with the assistance of a panel of education experts. The Foundation selects Young Scholars using the criteria below. While all criteria are important, the Foundation pays particular attention to the first two.
- Academic ability and high achievement and intelligence: Strong academic record, academic awards and honors, and a substantive assessment by a teacher providing a confidential letter of recommendation. The Foundation considers grades (typically a GPA above 3.5 or mostly 'As'), achievement test scores, commitment to learning, and work ethic. Exceptions for GPA may be considered for applicants with unique talents or learning differences.
- Unmet financial need: Limited family income and insufficient funds to cover most or all educational-related expenses. The average family income of previous classes of Young Scholars has been approximately $25,000. While there is no formal cut-off, since inception, over 90% of selected Young Scholars have come from families with Adjusted Gross Incomes (AGI) below $60,000. Our evaluation of available family financial support considers family income and factors such as number of siblings, extraordinary family medical expenses, number of siblings already in college, and the high cost of living in some areas.
- Will to succeed: Determination and perseverance in the face of challenges, and success in non-academic pursuits.
- Leadership and public service: Initiative on behalf of others, such as participation in volunteer, community, and school-related activities.
- Critical-thinking ability.
- Appreciation for or participation in the arts and humanities, or study of music, art, literature, or similar fields.
When and how are the scholarship winners announced?
All applicants, whether selected for the scholarship or not, are notified via mail in October. Recipients' names will not be published on the Foundation's Website.
APPLICATION CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS
How old do I have to be to be eligible?
The Foundation considers grade level rather than age in determining eligibility. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be in the 7th grade when they apply.
How do I obtain application materials?
In February, all application materials are made available on the Foundation's Website and via the regional talent centers.
If you do not have Internet access or cannot download the application materials from this Website, you can obtain application materials by contacting the regional talent center that conducts outreach in your state.
Students who reside in the:
- East and West Coast states should contact Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth:
(410) 735-6270 or jkc@jhu.edu
- Southern states should contact Duke University Talent Identification Program:
(919) 668-0248 or jkcf@tip.duke.edu
- Midwestern states should contact Northwestern University Center for Talent Development:
(847) 491-3782 or ctd@northwestern.edu
- Rocky Mountain states should contact the University of Denver Rocky Mountain Talent Search:
(303) 871-2983 or rmts-info@du.edu
Must I be eligible for one of the talent centers' programs to apply?
No. While the talent centers help conduct outreach for the Young Scholars Program, eligibility is entirely independent of the talent centers. Each year the Foundation accepts students into the Young Scholars Program that are not eligible for the talent center programs.
Must I be a US citizen to apply?
No. You must, however, attend high school in the United States. At this time, the Foundation is not providing services to students who attend high school outside the United States.
Are home-schooled students eligible to apply?
Yes. Students who are home-schooled do not need to submit the School Report as a part of their application, but must submit the Personal Recommendation. Please see the application guidelines for specific instructions.
Are high-achieving students who also have learning disabilities eligible to participate in the Young Scholars Program?
The Foundation encourages applications to the Young Scholars Program from students who demonstrate high levels of ability in some areas, but whose learning disabilities reduce their measured performance in other areas. The application to the Young Scholars Program provides an opportunity to describe student learning disabilities, and the Foundation may ask applicants to submit available documentation of learning disabilities.
What is the limit on a Young Scholar's family income?
The families of selected Young Scholars have low-to-moderate incomes, with an average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of approximately $25,000. The Foundation selects many students with family incomes that exceed this average because we consider factors such as number of dependents, costs for supporting students with learning disabilities, extraordinary family medical expenses, number of siblings attending college, and regional differences in the cost of living. While there is no formal cut-off, since inception, over 90% of selected Young Scholars have come from families with Adjusted Gross Incomes (AGI) below $60,000.
What grades in school do I need to qualify?
Most successful applicants earn grades of all or mostly A’s in school, with no C’s or below in the past two years in their academic subjects. We make some exceptions for students with unique talents or documented learning differences.
What test scores do I need to qualify?
Students who have taken standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, must submit official score reports. Students who have not taken the SAT or ACT should ask their schools to submit scores from other recent state and national standardized achievement tests. Students without any standardized test scores may still apply. Each application will be reviewed individually.
How will I know that my application has been received?
In May, we will send applicants a postcard indicating that their application has been received.
If the parent I don't live with is unwilling to complete the Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Financial Form, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, but an explanation of the situation and copies of relevant official documents must be provided with the Family Information Form.
KEY DATES
What are the key dates in the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program application and selection process?
February
Foundation makes application materials available to the regional talent centers and to all students on the Foundation's Website.
First Monday of May
Receipt deadline for applications to Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program.
May-September
Expert panel and Foundation staff review applications.
October
The Foundation sends a letter informing all applicants whether or not they have been selected as Young Scholars. The Foundation's Young Scholar educational advisers make initial contact with new Young Scholars and make arrangements for in-person visits to Scholars’ home.