Cooke Young Scholars Program

A selective five-year scholarship for high-achieving 7th graders with financial need: an adviser plus money for school, summer programs, lessons and technology through high school. Students apply.

Amount: Not posted as a dollar amount: advising plus funding for school, summer programs and enrichment, 8th grade through 12th
Can a for-profit school apply?: No: for-profit schools excluded
Deadline: Apr 28, 2027 (205 days left)
Who this fits: Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opFor 7th graders with financial need at any U.S. middle school; the FAQ tells homeschooled students how to get recommendations. Students apply, not schools.
New schools: Not stated for new schools
Where: National: schools in any US state
Last checked: Oct 5, 2026on jkcf.org

See the funder’s page

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

Whether report cards from a microschool or homeschool are accepted as-is: ask scholarships@jkcf.org.

What to do now

Step 1: Point 7th-grade families to the How to Apply page this winter
Step 2: Gather 6th and 7th grade report cards and two academic recommenders
Step 3: Apply between February 4 and April 28, 2027

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need”

In the funder’s own words, from jkcf.org, checked Oct 5, 2026.

Students apply, not schools. The student must be in 7th grade now (entering 8th in fall 2027), have all or mostly As with no Cs in core subjects since the start of 6th grade, and have a family adjusted gross income up to $95,000. The program says it “does not require or direct students to attend any type of school,” and in some cases it may support private school.

In 7th grade now, attending middle school in the U.S.
All or mostly As, no Cs, in core subjects since 6th grade
Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000
Two academic recommendations (homeschoolers: from teachers other than parents)

Timing

The current application is closed. The next one opens February 4, 2027 and closes April 28, 2027; new scholars are told in September 2027.

What to do now

Point 7th-grade families to the How to Apply page this winter

Gather 6th and 7th grade report cards and two academic recommenders

Apply between February 4 and April 28, 2027

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need”

In the funder’s own words, from jkcf.org, checked Oct 5, 2026.

In 7th grade now, attending middle school in the U.S.

All or mostly As, no Cs, in core subjects since 6th grade

Family adjusted gross income up to $95,000

Two academic recommendations (homeschoolers: from teachers other than parents)