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Lincoln Trail College sophomore Abiodun Soneye has been selected as a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Through the award, the Foundation supports high-achieving community college students with financial need seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at selective four-year institutions.
Soneye is one of 440 semifinalists chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 applicants attending 180 community colleges in 35 states. “It is an hour to be selected as a semifinalist for the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship,” says Soneye. “I’m very excited and looking forward to being a part of the prestigious community and also continuing to chase my dreams.”
Since its inception, the Cooke Foundation has selected Transfer Scholars from over 337 community colleges and has awarded more than $54 million in transfer scholarships. While national college enrollments have been on the decline in the midst of the pandemic, recent National Student Clearinghouse data finds that transfers are on the rise among community college students who have stayed enrolled in the first year of the pandemic.
The Undergraduate Scholarship offers unmatched support to community college students seeking to complete their education at top four-year institutions. In addition to financial support, selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from the Foundation to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their careers. Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of nearly 3,000 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
Soneye, who plays soccer for the Statesmen, plans to student computer science after graduating from Lincoln Trail College. He’s considering attending Loyola University in Chicago or DePaul University. He also has the option to continue his college soccer career at Saint Mary of the Woods College.
He says attending LTC was a very good decision for him. “I have made very good friends here and I have had the opportunity to get a quality education with amazing teachers.”
Cooke Transfer Scholars are selected based on their exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service, and leadership. Students must be currently enrolled in community college or recent alumni.
Of the 440 semifinalists, 35 attend community colleges in Illinois. Soneye is the only student from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges selected as a semifinalist. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced by early May.
“I'm praying I get selected as one of the finalists. I'm going to be one step closer to my goal.”
