Broward College Student Awarded Prestigious Transfer Scholarship

Lansdowne, VA (April 24, 2019) – Lucas Araujo Ferreira, a student at Broward College, is one of 61 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship will provide Ferreira with up to $40,000 annually for a maximum of three years to complete his bachelor's degree.

Ferreira, of Hollywood, Florida, will receive an Associate of Arts with a specialization in computer science at the Broward College spring commencement ceremony in May. An Honors student graduating with a 3.92 grade-point average, Ferreira is a former student government president and new student orientation leader who overcame poverty and discrimination in his native Brazil before immigrating to the United States to enroll at Broward College. Ferreira plans to transfer to an Ivy League school in the fall, where he will pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science.

"Broward College is extremely proud to have one of our own students selected for this esteemed award," said Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile, Esq. "The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship is confirmation of what we at Broward College already know: that Lucas, and many of our students, are remarkably driven, resilient, talented and highly deserving of this award, and every support available to ensure their success."

Since the launch of the scholarship in 2000, 21 Broward College students have won the award. In addition to the monetary grant, these new Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from Foundation staff to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their careers. The Foundation will additionally provide opportunities for internships, study abroad, graduate school funding, and access to a thriving network of nearly 2,500 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.

"Our recent 'Persistence' report highlights the vast potential, and achievements, of community college transfer students—who go on to outperform their non-transfer peers at selective four-year institutions" said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. "In an era where many high-achieving students often begin their postsecondary education journey in community college, the Foundation is committed to enabling these transfer students to pursue their academic dreams at the nation's top colleges and universities."

Nearly 1,500 students applied for the 2019 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on academic ability, persistence, leadership, and service to others. The recipients selected represent 18 different states, have a median household adjusted gross income of $28,000 and an average GPA of 3.93. This year's cohort of Cooke Transfer Scholars has applied to the nation's most selective institutions.

ABOUT THE JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION:

The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $175 million in scholarships to more than 2,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided over $97 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org.