Joseph Spence is the SUNY Broome campus representative/advisor for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Over 1700 students applied this year, only 60 won. Liilan is the second student in five years from SUNY Broome to win this award. The previous winner was Cassandra Domingo. Students applying for JKCF scholarships are expected to apply to highly competitive colleges and universities and desire graduate study or study in unique or challenging fields. It is also intended for super high achievers from disadvantaged backgrounds. In my over 25 years here, this student is among my favorites! View Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship page.
Press Release:
Liilan Boldis Awarded a National Community College Transfer Scholarship
Media Contact
Julia Florence
media@jkcf.org
Lansdowne, VA (May 9, 2023) – Liilan Boldiis, a student at SUNY Broome Community College, is one of 60 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Liilan with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Liilan is a 2019 graduate of Johnson City High school. Ironically, the most recent SUNY Broome student to win this prestigious award, Cassandra Domingo (LAAA ’17) is also an alum of Johnson City High School. Liilan intends to pursue a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Theory and Composition with a concentration in Screen Scoring at the New York University Steinhardt School.
This year, overall undergraduate enrollment has remained comparable to last year’s numbers. However, for the first time in several years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, community college enrollment has increased by 2% nationwide.
“There are so many bright and persistent community college students in our nation who we know will thrive at four-year institutions if they can find a way to transfer without being weighed down by a heavy financial burden,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are excited to welcome yet another cohort of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars to our community after learning about them through their applications and seeing their unbound potential.”
Along with financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of more than 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
This year, more than 1,700 students from 448 community colleges applied to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.
View a list of the 2023 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including their community colleges.
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The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $250 million in scholarships to more than 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
Submitted by: Joe Spence
