(SANTA ANA, CA) – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced today that Santa Ana College students Abraham Tolliver and Parsa Ketabi are among the semifinalists for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. 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. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars receive personalized educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers. Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.
“Being named semifinalists by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation places these students among the most promising scholars in the nation," said President Dr. Annebelle Nery. "This recognition highlights the depth of talent at Santa Ana College and reinforces our mission to open pathways for exceptional students to reach their full potential. We are confident these scholars will continue to distinguish themselves as they transfer and pursue their long-term goals.”
A list of this year’s Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists and their respective community colleges can be found here. The Foundation will announce the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit the website here.
Abraham Tolliver is scholar and athlete with a total scholarship aid of $29,700 from the Santa Ana College Foundation. Along with Football, Tolliver is a part of the following programs:
- Career Center
- EOPS/CARE
- Learning Center
- Project Rise
- U2 Scholars Program
- University Transfer Center
- SAC Intercollegiate Athletics Team Participation
- RISING SCHOLARS PROGRAM
- SAC Football
- SAC Intercollegiate Athletics Team Participation
- Peer mentor for the Young Adult Court Program
- Peer mentor for the Orangewood Foundation
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 $332 million in scholarships to nearly 3,900 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career counseling, and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $144 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college will offer a second bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel.