The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced today that José Fuentes of Northeast Texas Community College is among the semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation named 485 semifinalists for the scholarship, which supports the nation’s top community college students with financial need seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree at four-year colleges or universities.
Selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, this year’s semifinalists represent 224 community colleges across 37 states. Each was chosen through an evaluation process that assesses academic ability and achievement, perseverance, and leadership.
Fuentes is active at the chapter, state, and international levels of Phi Theta Kappa. He is currently a finalist campaigning for PTK International President and was recently selected as a 2026 Guistwhite Scholar. Additionally, José is the Dr. Jerry Wesson Presidential Scholar in Honors Northeast and is the founding member of Raíces y Alas, a student organization honoring Hispanic heritage.
“Jose represents the very best of what we hope for in our students,” said Dr. Melissa Fulgham, NTCC Phi Theta Kappa Advisor. “He is deeply engaged on our campus and has distinguished himself through his leadership in Phi Theta Kappa at the state and national levels. Being named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship is an extraordinary accomplishment. With fewer than 100 students nationwide ultimately selected, even reaching this stage is a testament to Jose’s hard work, character, and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of him and excited to see what the future holds.”
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship enables recipients to complete their bachelor’s degrees debt-free at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States and provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for two to three years. The award is designed to remove financial barriers so that high-achieving community college students can transfer to and thrive at the nation’s top institutions.
“Through the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential,” said Executive Director Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili. “This year’s semifinalists reflect the remarkable talent and ambition found in community colleges nationwide.”
The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers. Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.
A list of this year’s Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists and their respective community colleges can be found here. The Foundation will announce the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit jkcf.org.
