Austin Community College District (ACC) student Amber Traylor is one of just 60 students nationwide to be awarded the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Traylor began at ACC in fall 2020 and pursued a future in STEM as a Chemistry major.

“I immediately started crying when I found out I was selected for the scholarship. It was amazing to feel validated for all the hard work I have put into my education. This is an immediate relief to me. I can’t afford a four-year university. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is allowing me to do just that. My goal is to earn a doctorate in chemistry and use it to change the world,” says Amber.

The prestigious award provides high-achieving community college students up to $55,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degree.

“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.”

More than 1,700 students from 448 community colleges applied to receive the scholarship. Recipients were selected based on their academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.

As part of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Traylor also will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide her through transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for a career. Scholars also receive internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding opportunities.
More scholarship opportunities continue at ACC. Students may apply now for a fall scholarship at austincc.edu/scholarship.

Tags: chemistry, Jack Kent Cooke, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, scholarship, Transfer