With the fall semester ending and the spring semester on the horizon, it’s time for students to submit applications for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This national scholarship is one of the most competitive and one of the largest scholarships available to community college students.

Dallas College students have been awarded the scholarship as recently as last year. The national scholarship is available to students with the intent to transfer to a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree. The awards can be as much as $55,000 for up to three years. The deadline for submission is Jan. 7, 2026.

In addition to the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, students have access to hundreds of other funding opportunities through the Dallas College Foundation. Scholarships vary in amount and eligibility, including awards for academic majors, financial need, career interests, leadership involvement and personal backgrounds. Many students may qualify for several scholarships at once.

Students can begin the process by completing the general application found on the Dallas College Foundation website. The application is located at dallascollege.academicworks.com. Once the general application is submitted, the system recommends scholarships that students may qualify for, after which they can review additional requirements for each award.

Recommended steps include gathering transcripts, preparing short essays, requesting recommendation letters early and checking scholarship deadlines regularly. Students are encouraged to apply for multiple opportunities throughout the year, as some awards open in the spring and others close before the semester begins.

Scholarships can support more than tuition. Many awards also help pay for textbooks, fees, transportation and other academic expenses, easing financial pressure for students who balance school with work or family responsibilities.

Dallas College encourages students to explore all available options and to apply early. Information about the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship is available at www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/ and other opportunities can be found on the Dallas College Foundation website or through the Financial Aid Office at any campus.