Portland Community College student awarded prestigious scholarship
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Community College student Diego Lobato has been selected as one of 90 Jack Kent Cook Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholars. The award includes a $55,000 annual scholarship to be put towards a bachelor's degree, plus help covering other education-related financial burdens.
Lobato hails from San Diego where he was raised by his single mother, and is currently completing his Oregon Transfer degree with a STEM concentration. He will continue his education at New York University starting this fall with a double major in economics and computer science.
'Earning a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship means the world to me,' said Lobato. 'It eases my financial worries tremendously and affirms that I am on the right path. I called my mom the moment I found out – she cried.'
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has been providing aid for students in financial need since 2000, and they received over 1,600 applicants this year nationwide. They made their final selections based on financial need and academic achievement.
'This year's cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,' said Giuseppe Basili, the foundation's executive director. 'As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.'
The Foundation offers other college assistance in addition to the scholarship itself, including college advising and a valuable network of fellow Jack Kent Cooke scholars.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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