Naol Beyene named Cooke scholarship semifinalist
JANS – Hinds Community College Raymond Campus sophomore Naol Beyene is a semifinalist for a 2026 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The finalists will be announced in May.
Beyene of Raymond is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honorary society. He plans to transfer to a four-year university to study computer science.
“This recognition means a great deal to me, and I believe it also reflects the support, opportunities and academic foundation Hinds has provided me throughout my journey,” Beyene said. “My time at Hinds has played an important role in my growth as a student and leader. Being named a Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist is a meaningful milestone in my transfer journey, and I am grateful to represent Hinds in this way.”
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.
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.
