Middlesex College Student Nominated for Life-Changing Transfer Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most competitive scholarships for the nation’s top community college students seeking their bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.

Each Jack Kent Cooke Scholar is granted financial support up to $55,000 per year for two to three years, college planning support, advising, and the opportunity to connect with fellow Scholars.

Past recipients of the scholarship such as Nima Sedghi ’24 spoke of the financial freedom that the scholarship provides for students transferring to costly four-year institutions.

“The financial assistance not only relieves these pressures, it enables me to participate in different research opportunities, have hands-on clinical experiences, and dedicate more time to study so I can pursue my lifelong aspirations,” said Sedghi.

Applying for one of the most lucrative scholarships in the country, Alexandra Badaway of North Brunswick competed against thousands of community college applicants nationwide.

“Alexandra’s nomination as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship semifinalist speaks volumes about her determination, leadership, and academic excellence,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “This highly-selective scholarship recognizes exemplary community college students and we are incredibly proud of all that Alexandra has accomplished to receive this recognition.”

In the fall Badaway was named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, one of 1,500 applicants and 210 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members to receive a $1,000 scholarship.

“As a non-traditional student, my journey hasn’t been easy,” said Badaway. “I’ve balanced full-time work, family responsibilities, and a demanding academic schedule. In one semester, I took 19 credits, maintained a 4.0 GPA, worked 40 hours a week, and continued serving through work-study and leadership roles, all while giving back to my community.”

Badaway will graduate in 2025 with a degree in business administration. In addition to Phi Theta Kappa, Badaway is a Bonner Leader, president of the Juvenile Justice Reform Club, a member of the Justice Scholars program, an EOF Scholar, and was selected for the America Needs You (A.N.Y.) Fellows Program, which provides guidance and mentorship to first-generation college students. As a proud Phi Theta Kappa member, she regularly participates in efforts to feed the homeless through nonprofit organizations like Daisy Grant Cares out of Essex County.

Though she has already been admitted to universities like Columbia and New York University, Badaway has not committed to anywhere yet as her decision will ultimately depend on funding. She hopes that, with this scholarship, she can use her education to give back to her community.

“Receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship wouldn’t just relieve a financial burden, it would make my dreams possible,” Badaway said. “It would allow me to attend the institution that best aligns with my goals without worrying about affordability. More importantly, it would empower me to continue using my education and personal journey to pour back into the communities that have shaped me.”

The finalists for the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will be announced in May. For a complete list of this year’s semifinalists, visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-stories/2025-transfer-scholarship-semifinalists/.