The William A. and Alma A. Cooke Scholarship Fund was established by the William A Cooke Foundation to help support high school students, residing in the Counties of Louisa and Orange, to further their formal education through accredited college, university, or vocation school in the United States. While Mr. Cooke never had the opportunity to pursue traditional higher education, he recognized the advantages of such an education in enabling a life of public service.
The foundation awards six scholarships of $20,000 each annually, payable over four years. Four will be awarded to Louisa County students, and two will be awarded to Orange County students. In addition, seven scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded, payable over two years. Funds will be paid directly to the educational institutions as tuition comes due. Awards will be available for tuition, fees, books, room and board.
Continued funding is contingent upon the student carrying 12 credit hours of course work and maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the first year and 2.5 for each year thereafter. Both need and merit will be considered when making an award.
The board may also approve additional scholarships on a year-to-year basis.