Annandale, Va. (Jan. 24, 2019) – Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is excited to announce that 17 of our students have been named semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke “Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship”. This marks an unprecedented number of NOVA students, representing 21% of the 80 selected as semifinalists nationwide from 1,500 applications, hailing from 369 community colleges in 45 states and DC. Only 5% of the applicants, nationwide, are selected as semifinalists. NOVA leads the nation’s community colleges in successive years of winners of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, with 19 winners in the past 13 years.   

The entire list of the Jack Kent Cooke “Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship” semifinalists can be found here: https://www.jkcf.org/our-stories/2019-cooke-transfer-scholar-semifinalists/

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers a competitive scholarship for community college students with exceptional promise and demonstrated financial need to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Students in any discipline may apply. The award provides funding for tuition, room and board, required fees and books for the remainder (up to three years) of the scholar’s undergraduate degree.  Scholarship amounts vary depending upon the costs of the institution the scholar attends and any other grants or scholarships that the individual may receive.

The NOVA semifinalists for 2019 include: Taima Al-Iriani, Kira Vedyanina, Solomon Baah, Mahnoor Abid, Veronica Araujo Mejia, Maame-Owusua Boateng, Arghavan Seyed Vosoughi, Amin Fazulurrahman, Umaar Ehsan, Loubna Faroun, Amber Dunn, Ochir Bayarsaikhan, Chela Eriez Baisas, Brenda Sejas, Dina Chatila, Onon Chintuya and Cassandra Eaton.

“We are  very proud of the 17 students who have earned this distinction. Jack Kent Cooke scholars are acknowledged to be among the top 3% of community college students in the nation,” said Elizabeth Sears, Coordinator, Special Awards Programs at NOVA. “They have excelled at the highest level in rigorous academic curricula and are impressive leaders and volunteers within NOVA and the community. JKCF scholars have demonstrated the ability to overcome significant financial and personal challenges in their journeys. This scholarship is truly a life-changing reward for their persistence and will to succeed.”

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April.

Story Source: Elizabeth (Libby) Sears, Coordinator, Special Awards Programs, NOVA | esears@nvcc.edu | 703-323-3000

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