The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF), an independent 501(c)(3) public charity which seeks to eliminate barriers to higher education for high-potential, low-income community college students and develop them as leaders and advocates for their communities, has received a $100,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The grant will strengthen KEF’s work across three programs:

  • The Kaplan Leadership program, which provides scholars with stipends, tutoring, advising, and wraparound support, enabling them to transfer to top colleges and earn bachelor’s degrees at six times the national rate

  • The Bridge Program, which prepares high school students for a successful community college experience and future transfer through workshops, campus visits, early mentorship and practical resources

  • The Transfer Hub, a digital platform that centralizes key resources and simplifies the transfer process, connecting students, advisors and institutions to help underserved learners navigate their path forward

The award arrives as KEF marks its 20th anniversary – a milestone that reflects two decades of removing barriers between underserved community college students and the nation’s most selective four-year colleges and universities.

“We’re deeply grateful for such a meaningful vote of confidence from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation — particularly resonant given our shared commitment to creating opportunities for overlooked students,” said Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director, Kaplan Educational Foundation. “This grant gives us the resources to keep delivering on our mission, sustaining the wraparound support that sets our scholars up not just to transfer, but to thrive. We’re honored by the support and energized to carry our mission forward.”

Cooke Foundation CEO Daniel Porterfield shared, “We are proud to contribute to the Kaplan Education Foundation in their mission to improve outcomes for undergraduate transfer students. Over the past 26 years, the Cooke Foundation has provided scholarships for 1,459 Transfer Scholars and by partnering with KEF, we can expand our support even further. When financial barriers are removed and talented community college students have the opportunity to complete their four-year-degrees, we all benefit as they lead the way toward a brighter future.”

The grant announcement is accompanied by powerful proof of what aligned missions can produce. Two scholars from KEF’s Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP)’s current cohort have been selected for the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in the country – awarded to just 60 students from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants representing 362 community colleges across the U.S.

Each recipient will receive a last dollar scholarship which can provide as much as $55,000 per year, as well as advising, career mentorship, and the possibility of graduate school support.

The 2026 KLP/Cooke Scholars are:

  • Nataly Briones – LaGuardia Community College Class of 2026 | A.A., Human Services

  • Pamela De León Berroa – Queensborough Community College | A.S., Criminal Justice

Since 2020, ten KLP scholars have received the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income overlooked and underserved community college students complete their associate degree and successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree at the nation’s most highly-selective schools. The program provides stipends for living expenses, extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities.

Since KEF’s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars have been accepted to the country’s most competitive schools, including Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Amherst, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, Smith and many others. 92% percent of Kaplan Leadership Scholars earn a bachelor’s degree. In stark contrast, data from the Aspen Institute shows that while 80 percent of community college students dream of transferring to a four-year school, only 14 percent earn a bachelor’s degree – even fewer who come from low-income families.

Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF) Key Facts:

  • Mission: Kaplan Educational Foundation’s mission is to eliminate barriers to higher education for high-potential, low-income community college students

  • Bachelor’s Degree Attainment Rate: 92% of Kaplan Leadership Program Scholars attain a bachelor’s degree vs. a national average of 14%

  • Top Transfer Destinations: Yale, Brown, Princeton, Amherst, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, Smith

  • Kaplan Leadership Program Alumni: 170+ high-potential leaders across business, law, medicine, education, public policy, engineering, and other sectors

For more information on KEF, the Kaplan Leadership Program and how to apply to be a scholar: http://www.kaplanedfoundation.org

ABOUT THE KAPLAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION:

The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, was initially established and supported by a generous endowment funded by Kaplan, Inc. executives with the idea of helping a small group of students in a big way. The Foundation provides high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support and leadership training to raise their expectations for success and open doors to opportunities that will change their lives and communities. For more information, please visit www.kaplanedfoundation.org

ABOUT THE JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $356 million in scholarships to nearly 4,000 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $148 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

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