Three scholars from The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF)’s Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP) have been awarded the 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the country.
The JCKF Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree at four-year universities. It provides last dollar funding after all institutional aid to give recipients the opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible The KLP scholars were among only 90 selected from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants from 194 community colleges across the U.S. – representing about 6 percent of the total applicant pool and 21.4% of those who applied from New York. Each recipient will receive up to $55,000 per year, as well as advising, career mentorship, and graduate school support.
The 2025 KLP / Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholars are:
- Marco Alvarez – CUNY Hostos Community College Class of 2025 | A.S. in Liberal Arts and Science;
- Tabia Tarannum – CUNY LaGuardia Community College Class of 2025 | A.S. in General Biology;
- Liam Lotz – CUNY Kingsborough Community College Class of 2025 | A.S. in Liberal Arts.
Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director of KEF says, “We are so proud of our scholars, who reinforce the fact that community colleges are rich with resilient, talented students with leadership potential, when given the opportunities to succeed. Their achievements exemplify not only academic excellence but the power of deep, intentional support and cross-institutional collaboration.”
Since 2020, eight KLP scholars have received the JKCF Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income overlooked and underserved community college students complete their associate degree and successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree at the nation’s most highly-selective schools. The program provides stipends for living expenses, extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities.
Since KEF’s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars have been accepted to the country’s most competitive schools, including Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Amherst, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, Smith and many others. 92% percent of Kaplan Leadership Scholars earn a bachelor’s degree. In stark contrast, data from the Aspen Institute shows that while 80 percent of community college students dream of transferring to a four-year school, only 16 percent actually earn a bachelor’s degree – even fewer who come from low-income families.
Tamsin Pargiter, KEF Writing Coach and Program Consultant, who worked with all three KLP scholars, says, “These success stories are not isolated—they are the result of a collaborative model that champions equity in higher education. These students are changemakers and both KLP and JKCF recognize their potential. We are excited to see the impact they will make as leaders in their communities.”
For more information on KEF, the Kaplan Leadership Program and how to apply to be a scholar, please visit here.
About The Kaplan Educational Foundation
The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, was initially established and supported by a generous endowment funded by Kaplan, Inc. executives with the idea of helping a small group of students in a big way. The Foundation provides high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support and leadership training to raise their expectations for success and open doors to opportunities that will change their lives and communities.
About The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.
