Dominion Trail Elementary students participate in a Cooke Foundation-funded Bluemont assembly in February 2017. (Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now)

If you’ve ever turned on music to escape, listened to the Hamilton soundtrack, or sang the ABC’s, you know that music teaches us something.

School assemblies are a staple in elementary schools, providing valuable enrichment opportunities outside the classroom. However, funding a musical artist or performing arts troop for multiple assemblies is not an easy expense for public schools on a limited budget.

Topics: financial need, Arts, Grantee Spotlight, Good Neighbor Grants, music education

June 2, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. A report finds that 4 in 10 public-school districts are intensely economically segregated; Princeton University acts to admit more low-income students; 2017 Cooke College Scholars are announced; and Cooke Foundation Executive Director Harold Levy co-authors an op-ed about a program for outstanding low-income math students that is funded by the foundation.

Topics: Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Scholar News, low income, financial need, Friday Roundup,, education news, achievement gap, Education Budget Cuts, Federal Education Budget, student loans

May 25, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. President Trump’s proposed education budget draws criticism, a report shows that women hold two-thirds of student debt, and one community college produces three Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars. 

Topics: Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Scholar News, low income, financial need, Friday Roundup,, education news, achievement gap, Education Budget Cuts, Federal Education Budget, student loans

May 19, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. Proposed Trump administration budget cuts to the Education Department are revealed in greater detail; the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the College Board announce a multimillion-dollar partnership to make college more accessible for low-income and rural students; and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to reveal a new proposal to help parents afford private school tuition for their children.

Topics: Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Scholar News, financial need, college readiness, From the Top, Friday Roundup,, education news, achievement gap, SAT, Education Budget Cuts, College Board, Federal Education Budget, Betsy DeVos, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

May 5, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. A report says college costs are unaffordable for many students; top universities are criticized for not using funds from their budget surpluses to admit and provide financial aid to more low-income students; and President Trump’s issues an executive order requiring a review of federal education policies.

Topics: funding college, low income, financial need, college readiness, college access, Friday Roundup,, education news, higher education

April 28, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. New York City’s mayor proposes free preschool for 3-year-olds;  a report finds low-income college students earn less than more affluent students after graduation; and the Cooke Foundation announces five finalists for the $1 Million Cooke Prize for Equity in Educational Excellence.

Topics: funding college, low income, financial need, college readiness, college access, Friday Roundup,, education news, Cooke Prize, higher education

April 21, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. New York’s new program to eliminate tuition for some students in public colleges draws both praise and criticism; 15 colleges announce a new cost calculator that estimates how much financial aid a student will get from a particular college; a new report shows that funding for higher education increased in most states in 2016; President Trump’s proposed cuts to the Education Department budget are criticized; and the Cooke Foundation announces new Undergraduate Transfer Scholars.

Topics: Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, funding college, financial aid, financial need, college access, education news, higher education

March 17, 2017 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. Pundits, lawmakers, and interest groups across the political spectrum shared their views on the “skinny budget” proposal. Food and housing insecurity, the Excellence Gap, and financial aid were discussed among the higher ed community. Subscribe here to receive the Cooke Chronicle each week in your inbox.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2017 Cooke Young Scholars Program! High-achieving 7th graders with financial need are encouraged to apply for this unique scholarship. Tell a talented student to start an application today!

Topics: financial need, excellence gap, Friday Roundup,

In his most recent op-ed published by CNN, our executive director discussed the paradoxical relationship between colleges and universities wanting to enroll students who can pay the tuition but enticing them with financial aid. 

Topics: financial aid, low income, financial need, JKCF in the News

In his most recent contribution to The Huffington Post, our executive director describes how need-blind admissions practices pose a disadvantage for low-income students.

Topics: low income, financial need, college admissions, JKCF in the News