Raritan Valley Community College student Jei Budiharto of Piscataway is one of 31 New Jersey community college students recently selected as a semifinalist for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, according to the nonprofit Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
The scholarship enables recipients to complete bachelor’s degrees debt-free at any accredited four-year U.S. college or university 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 high-achieving community college students can transfer to and thrive at the nation’s top institutions.
This year’s 485 semifinalists were selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants nationwide. They 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 major focusing on biomedical engineering, will graduate from RVCC in May and plans to transfer to a four-year school to pursue a degree in neuroscience or biomedical engineering, according to RVCCC. 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.
“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 Cooke Foundation 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 Scholarship winners in May.
The 31 semifinalists from New Jersey community colleges include:
- Abubaker Ahmadi – Mercer County Community College
- Erwan Bayiha – Rowan College at Gloucester County
- Jei Budiharto – Raritan Valley Community College
- Dalia Cancel Batista – Mercer County Community College
- Emre Celik – Bergen Community College
- Kaitlyn Costanza – Mercer County Community College
- Sabrina Da Silva – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
- Ellie Dowek – Ocean County College
- Branden Farano – Middlesex County College
- Laura Garzon Salinas – Ocean County College
- Amani Harris – Middlesex County College
- Lisa Iavir – Bergen Community College
- Katherine Jovel – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
- Hosna Kachooee – Bergen Community College
- Hanieh Kachooee – Bergen Community College
- Matt Luciani – Bergen Community College
- Mel Mancheno – Middlesex County College
- Dae Miller – Rowan College of South Jersey
- Neivi Nunez Cuevas – Hudson County Community College
- Anne Nyangaga – Ocean County College
- Sean Pang – Middlesex County College
- Anthony Paris – Ocean County College
- Janvi Amit Patel – Hudson County Community College
- Marlon Pena Crespo – Hudson County Community College
- Violet Ratliff – Bergen Community College
- Nina Salamatova – Middlesex County College
- Mahi Sanghvi – Middlesex County College
- Cristian Tenempaguay – Bergen Community College
- Andres Uvidia – Essex County College
- Libni Vizcaino – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
- Sabrina Watts – Ocean County College
To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, go here.
