Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

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beginning the graduate coursework portion of your degree program. ... On the How to Apply page, click on the Apply Now l
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs Please visit the Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship webpages for further information about the graduate scholarship including the Cooke International Awards. ►

Eligibility

Do I need to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship before I graduate from my undergraduate institution? No. You must apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship prior to beginning graduate school. For example, if you are currently in your senior year and plan to begin graduate school in fall 2017, you should apply during the 2017 award cycle (i.e., by the October 31, 2016 deadline). However, if you plan to work or get other experience before beginning graduate school, then you should apply at a later date before you begin graduate school. You can apply within three years of completing your foundation-funded undergraduate degree. (See the next FAQ about the three-year rule.) How long am I eligible to apply for the award? Generally, you have three years from the time you graduate from your undergraduate degree institution to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. For the 2017 competition, scholars who graduated in spring 2014 or later are eligible. There are two exceptions to the “three-year rule”: 1 - If you graduated in fall 2012 or earlier, then you have five years in which to apply for the graduate scholarship. Under this exception, for the 2017 competition, scholars who graduated in fall 2012, spring 2012, or fall 2011 are still eligible to apply. 2 - If you applied for, but did not receive, the 2016 Cooke Graduate Scholarship, you may be eligible to apply for the 2017 Cooke Graduate Scholarship, even if you exceed the three years of eligibility, as long as you have not/will not begin graduate school before fall 2017. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact the foundation ([email protected]). Do I have to be accepted to graduate school before applying? We expect that you will be in the process of applying to graduate school, but most likely have not yet received your acceptance. You must plan to begin graduate school in fall 2017. Is there a minimum GPA requirement? There is no specific GPA cut-off, but we expect that competitive scholars will have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above. As part of a holistic review, we go beyond GPA to look for demonstrations of distinguished achievement, engagement, and leadership. In addition, we consider unmet financial need and involvement with the Cooke Foundation. In 2016, the average cumulative GPA of selected applicants was 3.8; however, GPA alone is not a deciding factor. I am currently in graduate school, am I eligible? No. Scholars must apply before they begin graduate school. I have taken graduate level courses, am I still eligible? As long as it was less than the equivalent of a semester of full-time study, then you may still be eligible to apply. Please contact us ([email protected]) to determine your eligibility if you have already taken graduate level courses. I have received a graduate level certificate, am I still eligible? Generally, students with graduate level certificates are ineligible. If you have not received a graduate degree or completed significant graduate level coursework (less than a full semester), then you may still be eligible to apply. Please contact us ([email protected]) to determine your eligibility.

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Am I eligible if I am an undergraduate scholar in a 3+2 or 4+1 degree program? If so, when do I apply? Yes, students in blended undergraduate/graduate programs are eligible. You should apply for the scholarship before beginning the graduate coursework portion of your degree program. For example, if your graduate coursework starts in fall 2017 or spring 2018, then you should apply in fall 2016. If there is not a clear delineation between your undergraduate and graduate coursework, please contact the foundation ([email protected]) to determine your eligibility and when to apply. I have already received a graduate degree, but plan to pursue a second graduate degree. Am I eligible for this award? No. Only Cooke Scholars who have not already enrolled in graduate school or earned a graduate degree are eligible. My graduate program begins in spring 2018. Am I eligible to apply? This award is for students who will begin graduate study in fall 2017. If your program begins in summer 2017 and you are required to start then, you may request funding for the summer 2017 semester. If your program begins in spring 2018, please contact us ([email protected]) to discuss eligibility. I haven’t begun graduate school yet, but I plan to pursue a joint M.P.P/J.D. I have received full funding for an M.P.P.; am I still eligible for support for the J.D.? If so, when do I apply? You must apply before beginning the first graduate degree program, but the award can be used for the second degree only if that is how you wish to allocate the funds. For example, if you plan to pursue an M.P.P and then a J.D., you must apply before beginning your M.P.P program, but you can use the graduate scholarship for the J.D. program only. Can I use the scholarships for more than one degree? Yes. If you plan to pursue more than one graduate degree, please include all proposed graduate degree programs including joint degrees. Additional degrees may not be added after the scholarship has been awarded. What if I have a full ride to my selected graduate school, am I still eligible? Yes, you are eligible for the Graduate Scholarship even if you have a full ride from your graduate institution. If I do not receive the award, can I apply again in the future? Scholars who applied for the 2016 Cooke Graduate Scholarship are able to apply for the 2017 Cooke Graduate Scholarship as long as they have not started graduate school. Will the Cooke Foundation allow me to defer my scholarship if my graduate plans change? The Cooke Foundation does not approve requests for deferrals except in cases of medical emergency or events of comparable significance. Scholars should only apply for the scholarship if they plan to begin graduate studies in fall 2017. How many other Cooke Scholars will I compete against? The number of applicants varies year to year. In 2016, we received 73 applications and awarded 38 scholarships. In 2017, we expect to award approximately 30 graduate scholarships. Where can I find someone to talk to about graduate school? If you have questions about graduate school, different fields of study, or career options, please contact us and we will put you in touch with other scholars/alumni in your field. There are many scholars and alumni who are currently in graduate school or who have graduated and ventured into their careers. We also have a webinar with information on graduate school applications and admissions. The webinar can be found on the main page. ►

Application

Where do I go to get started? On the How to Apply page, click on the Apply Now link to access the online application. www.jkcf.org

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I created an account and now I cannot log back in. What should I do? Do not save the link to your online application to your favorites, instead, please always access the application through the website. Click on the “Apply Now” link on the How to Apply page to log back into your application. If that doesn't work, please contact us at [email protected]. How do I change my password? If you have forgotten your password, go to the login page in the online application and click on the "Forgot Password?" link to have the instructions to reset the password emailed to you. Do I need to be nominated for this award? There is no nomination process for the Graduate Scholarship. Scholars apply directly to the Cooke Foundation via the online application. Do I need a recommendation? Yes, you are required to submit two recommendations. Each recommendation form must be submitted online by your recommender. You may request the recommendations in your online application by clicking on the “Request” button and following the directions on that page. How does the recommender verify and submit a recommendation? Recommenders will receive an email immediately after you send the request via the online application. The email message will provide the recommender with a link to complete the recommendation form. The recommender must click "Submit" in order to certify that the recommendation is complete. Recommenders will know their job is done when they receive an email that says that the recommendation has been submitted. You will be able to track the recommendation’s progress on your dashboard. I changed my mind about my recommender. Can I request a recommendation from someone else? Yes. Follow the instructions on the “Request Recommendation” screen in your online application to send the request to a different recommender. Does the foundation account for my community college GPA? The application requests both your cumulative GPA and the GPA you have earned from your foundation-funded undergraduate institution. Both GPAs will be taken into consideration during the review process. Which transcripts do I need to submit? If you are an alumnus, we will consider your final undergraduate transcript that you submitted to the Cooke Foundation upon completing your bachelor’s degree. If you are enrolled at your undergraduate institution during the fall 2016 semester, we will consider your transcript for the 2015-2016 academic year. Should I submit any financial information? You must complete the financial section in the online application and upload your 2015 tax forms. These forms help the foundation assess whether you have unmet financial need. What if I don’t file taxes and don’t have tax documents? What should I upload? If you do not have W-2s or tax documents, please upload a letter of explanation instead. How do I submit my supporting documents and when are they due? Upload all required documents into your online application according to the directions in the application. If you do not follow the instructions, your application may not be considered. The online application, including all required supporting documents, must be submitted by October 31, 2016.

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Can I email, mail, or fax in the application form? You must submit your application online. The foundation will not consider applications submitted by email, mail, or fax. When is the application due? The application and all supporting materials must be completed and submitted online October 31, 2016 (5:00 p.m. Eastern time). How do I know if my application is complete? You may monitor your submission status on your dashboard. The status bar under each section of your online application must be at 100% in order to submit your application. Who do I contact with questions? If you have questions about the Cooke Graduate Scholarship, please email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-8469025. ► Selection Process Are there a specific number of scholarships? In 2017, we expect to award up to 30 graduate scholarships. What are my chances of receiving the scholarship? The scholarship has become increasingly competitive over the past two years. This year, we anticipate awarding up to 30 Cooke Graduate Scholars – and we believe that we will have candidates who meet the minimum eligibility who will not be awarded the graduate scholarship. That said, putting forward your best application possible is essential to help the committee as it selects from a large group of qualified, talented scholars. When will I find out if I won the scholarship? We will inform applicants of the Cooke Foundation’s decision in January 2017. ►

Award Details

How much is the award worth? The award is for up to $50,000 per year for up to four years of study in an approved graduate degree program(s). The amount of every scholarship varies, depending on the cost of attendance and other scholarships or grants received. If you are selected, the Cooke Foundation determines the amount of its award after reviewing the financial aid package from the graduate institution you select. Which expenses does the award cover? The award must be used for educational expenses that appear on the cost of attendance form. Can this award be used for a graduate-level certificate program, post-baccalaureate program, or nondegree programs? No. This award must be used for a graduate or professional degree program at an accredited graduate institution in the U.S. or abroad. My graduate program is at a foreign institution. Can I use this award there? Yes, Cooke Scholars may use the award to attend any accredited graduate school in the U.S. or abroad to pursue any graduate or professional degree. If you plan to study at Oxford or Cambridge Universities, please see the information below about the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge. www.jkcf.org

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Can I defer my scholarship between degrees? Deferrals between degree programs are possible, but for only up to one year. Do I have to reapply every year for the scholarship? No. The Cooke Foundation may renew the scholarship annually until completion of the scholar’s approved graduate degree(s) or until the four-year limit has been reached, whichever comes first, provided the scholar has maintained high academic performance, exhibited good conduct, made significant progress toward a degree, and complied with the Cooke Foundation’s administrative requirements and requests. ► Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge Who should apply for the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge? If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, please take a look at admissions criteria on their websites to compare your eligibility to your chosen graduate program’s eligibility requirements (each program differs and has different deadlines). In general, a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above would make you a competitive candidate for admission to Oxford or Cambridge. Both have a myriad of program options to consider: Oxford - http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/courses-a-z-listing. Cambridge - http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses Are there certain fields of study that I must pursue at Oxford and Cambridge? Most programs of study at University of Oxford are eligible for these awards, but a few are not (art history and anthropology are not eligible programs at Lincoln College at the University of Oxford). There are no restrictions on the graduate programs applicants may pursue at Brasenose College at the University of Oxford or at the University of Cambridge. Please contact us if you have questions about whether your field of study is eligible ([email protected]). How do I apply to the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge? You apply for the Cooke International Awards through the Cooke Graduate Scholarship online application. There are sections designated for applicants who wish to apply for the awards to Oxford and Cambridge. Do I still need to apply for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship? The Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge are part of the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. You will see in the online application for the Graduate Scholarship that you must submit supplemental information in order to be considered for the Oxford or Cambridge awards. The two application processes go hand-in-hand. If you are not selected as an Oxford Scholar or Cambridge Scholar your application will still be considered for the Cooke Graduate Scholarship. Which additional materials do I need? You are asked to submit all application materials required by Oxford and Cambridge including personal/research statement, CV, writing samples, and recommendations. Is there a different deadline for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards? No. The deadline for submitting materials for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards is the same as the deadline for the completing the Cooke Graduate Scholarship application - October 31, 2016. How much is the award worth? The award is for up to $85,000 per year for up to four years of study at Lincoln College or Brasenose College at the University of Oxford or Clare College at the University of Cambridge.

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How many recommendations do I need to submit for the Cooke International Awards? If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, please ignore the recommendation section of the Cooke Graduate Scholarship online application. We ask that instead you submit your Oxford or Cambridge recommendations as a supplemental form in the Cooke International Awards section of the online application. If you do not have access to your recommendations, your recommenders can send them to us directly at [email protected]. Can I submit my Oxford/Cambridge recommendations directly to the foundation? If you have your Oxford/Cambridge recommendations, please submit them in the Cooke International Awards section of the online application. However, if your recommenders have not provided you with a copy of your recommendations, please ask the recommenders to send the letters to us via email to [email protected]. Do the recipients of these awards get any additional benefits? The selected Cooke Oxford Scholars and Cooke Cambridge Scholar receive all of the benefits of the Graduate Scholarship plus additional benefits including individual guidance from a college advisor at Oxford or Cambridge, guaranteed living arrangements near Lincoln College or Brasenose College, Oxford or Clare College, Cambridge and additional financial support above the $50,000 currently available to Cooke Graduate Scholars. There is also an international travel stipend available to the named Cooke Oxford and Cooke Cambridge Scholars. Do I have to apply to a certain college at Oxford or Cambridge? Yes, please indicate in your application to the University of Oxford that you are applying to Lincoln College and/or Brasenose College. In your application to the University of Cambridge, please select that you are applying to Clare College. Lincoln or Brasenose College are not options on my Oxford application. What should I do? If Lincoln College (or Brasenose College) is not an option on your Oxford application, please go ahead and select your top choice college at Oxford. If you do not have a preference, then choose: “I do not have a preference.” Can I pursue additional degrees at a different institution with the Cooke Graduate Scholarship? If your program at Oxford or Cambridge is less than four years in length, you may also pursue an additional graduate degree (at a different institution) for one to three years depending on the time remaining and length of your proposed degree program. Please be sure to request both graduate degrees in your Graduate Scholarship application. If you do not, the award will end after your first degree. How are the applications reviewed for the Cooke International Awards? After the October 31 deadline we will review applicants for the Oxford and Cambridge Awards by committee and select the two Cooke Oxford Scholars and one Cooke Cambridge Scholar. We will also follow up with all applicants for these awards to provide feedback in order to strengthen their applications. When should I submit my application(s) to Oxford and/or Cambridge? The deadlines for Oxford and Cambridge vary, please check their website for the exact dates. Generally, the deadlines fall in late January. We expect that you will NOT have submitted your Oxford/Cambridge application until you receive feedback from the Cooke Foundation. Part of the review process for the Cooke International Awards is to provide feedback to strengthen your application to the school. If the Oxford or Cambridge deadline for your graduate program falls earlier than January 1, please let us know ([email protected]). When can I expect to receive feedback on my Oxford/Cambridge application? We plan to have feedback for you by early January so that you can submit a strong application to Oxford and/or Cambridge by their deadlines.

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When will I hear if I have been named one of the Cooke Oxford Scholars or the Cooke Cambridge Scholar? Awarding of the Cooke International Awards at Oxford and Cambridge is contingent upon acceptance to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge and thus will not be announced until the Oxford and Cambridge admission offers have been made. What if I don’t receive the Cooke Oxford Award or the Cooke Cambridge Award but I’m accepted to Oxford or Cambridge? If you are accepted to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, but not selected as the Cooke Oxford or Cooke Cambridge Scholar, then you may use the Cooke Graduate Scholarship at Oxford, Cambridge, or elsewhere. The biggest differences are that you will not be the named Cooke Oxford or Cooke Cambridge Scholar and you are eligible for up to $50,000 a year, not up to $85,000 a year.

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