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Raritan Valley Community College student Jei Budiharto of Piscataway has been named a semifinalist for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, it was announced recently by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

The RVCC Honors College member joins a group of 485 semifinalists across the country 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.

Budiharto, an Engineering majoring focusing on Biomedical Engineering, will be graduating from RVCC in May. They plan to transfer to a four-year school to pursue a degree in Neuroscience or Biomedical Engineering. Budiharto is active on campus as Vice President of Information and Media for the Student Government Association (SGA), a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Internal Coordinator for the Filipino Peace Club. In addition, they work as a part-time tutor at the College’s Tutoring Center.

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.

The Foundation will announce the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2026

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #85