The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF)

www.shawncartersf.com

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. By removing some of the financial burdens associated with going to, surviving in, and graduating from college, the SCSF plays a vital role in increasing college access and success for many motivated yet underserved youth and young adults. The SCSF provides individual grants, paid directly to the educational institution, to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel and select costs of living. All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.

Jay-Z is just one of today’s breed of hip-hop moguls who are using their wealth and fame to help disadvantaged students get a good college education. Jay-Z, (Shawn Carter) together with his mom, Gloria Carter, established the Shawn Carter Scholarship after Gloria’s retirement, with the goal of offering scholarships to single moms, children of disadvantaged families, students who have grade point averages of 2.0 and any one who desires a higher education. The foundation was officially established as a 501(c) in 2003 and awarded its very first full-college tuition scholarship in 2002. To date, over 750 scholarship awards amounting to over $1.7 million dollars have been given away by the Foundation.

Shawn Carter Scholarship Details

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation provides grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 for every student who qualifies. Scholars who reapply every year will receive financial support from college admission to graduation. The grants may be used to pay for tuition fees, books, lab fees, food and travel expenses. The Shawn Carter scholars are expected to give back to their communities through community service or by mentoring younger students who may later on be future Shawn Carter scholars.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• High school seniors, students with GED diplomas, undergraduate (2 year or 4 year) college students, and students at vocational or trade schools
• US citizen or Permanent Resident
• 25 years old or younger
• Minimum 2.0 GPA

Application Date

Application starts on April 1st and ends on April 30th(11:59PM EST) To apply, please visit the scholarship application page.

How To Qualify

• Get your application done early and submit the application form and your documents on time.
• Write an essay explaining why you deserve the scholarship. Share your extra-curricular activities and specify details that can help them see that you are an exceptional student. Let them know about your long-range plans. Make sure your essay is clear of grammar and spelling errors.
• Although a photograph is optional, if you do decide to send one, send a head shot from the shoulders up.

For more information on this scholarship opportunity, visit the SC Foundation website.

WHO ARE SHAWN CARTER SCHOLARS?

SCSF attracts candidates from all backgrounds, nation-wide. They all have a compelling desire to pursue higher education, in spite of many personal, socio-economic setbacks, including teen pregnancy, former incarceration, interrupted schooling, poverty, and homelessness. They are hardworking, resilient and determined individuals who want to make positive contributions to their local and global communities, and they turn to the SCSF to make their ambitions and dreams possible.

A recent snapshot of the 2013 applicants seeking support form SCSF reveals the following: