Bronx Community College announced today that four of its students have received a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Michael Aidoo, Elizabeth Asemota, Gabriel Morillo and Haoua Sanfo will each receive up to $55,000 a year towards tuition, living expenses, books and required fees to complete their Bachelor’s degree. It is unprecedented to have four BCC students receive this scholarship in one year. One hundred students, across the nation, were selected for this award.

More than 1,200 students from 332 community colleges applied for this grant. The Cooke Foundation evaluated each submission based on the students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence and leadership.

Michael, who has been accepted at several colleges: University of Rochester, Boston University and Case Western Reserve University, is waiting for a decision from Johns Hopkins to decide on his four-year institution. Elizabeth is enrolled at The University at Buffalo. Gabriel will choose either Pomona College or Haverford College and Haoua plans to go to Edgewood College.

BCC President Dr. Thomas A. Isekenegbe noted: “This is an incredible achievement by our four students. All of us at BCC extend our congratulations to Michael, Elizabeth, Gabriel and Haoua. They are shining examples of what BCC students can accomplish on the national stage.”

In the 2020-21 academic year, four-year colleges and universities saw nearly 200,000 fewer transfer enrollment applications nationwide, reflecting the pandemic’s disruptive effect on students and their plans for college.

Despite that decline, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation welcomed its largest class of Scholars to date, highlighting the talent and achievement of hundreds of community college students across the country. In light of growing financial hardship for so many families, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation also increased the maximum award amount by an extra $15,000 to ensure students can focus on their studies while enrolled.

“Today, almost half of all college students begin their academic career at a community college. We know our community colleges are full of high-achieving students, and we’re committed to playing our part to ensure those students succeed,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “Congratulations to a cohort of students who have persisted in the midst of such unprecedented disruptions in our lives. We welcome you into our community and look forward to learning alongside you.”

New Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Along with financial support, Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of over nearly 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.