Five students from Ocean County College have been named semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious and competitive awards for community college students.
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship supports high-achieving community college students with financial need by providing up to $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States. The award is designed to remove financial barriers so that students can transfer to and thrive at top institutions.
The scholarship also provides personalized advising to help scholars successfully transition to four-year institutions and prepare for their careers. Recipients gain access to internships, study abroad opportunities, graduate school funding, and a lifelong network of Cooke Scholars and alumni who provide mentorship and professional connections.
“The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is one of the few generous scholarship funds that recognizes the vital role community colleges play in supporting high-achieving students with bold dreams but limited financial support,” said OCC President Pamela J. Monaco. “The Ocean County College students who have been selected as semi-finalists have amazing personal stories that make their academic and leadership achievements all the more impressive. I could not be prouder of these students and the many college employees who provided encouragement and support.”
Ocean County College’s students are among 485 semifinalists representing 224 community colleges across 37 states. The scholars were selected from more than 1,300 applicants based on an evaluation of academic achievement, perseverance, and leadership.
The semifinalists from Ocean County College are:
· Ellie Dowek
· Laura Garzon Salinas
· Anne Nyangaga
· Anthony Paris
· Sabrina Watts
The Foundation will announce the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May. For more information, visit jkcf.org
