Shawn Carter Foundation reports more than 2,700 scholarship awards since inception
The family-led organisation has provided 324 awards during the 2025-26 academic year to support students facing economic hardship.
The Shawn Carter Foundation has made more than 2,700 scholarship awards since it began, according to a report by the Times of India. This total includes 324 awards distributed during the 2025-26 academic year.
Launched in 2003 by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, and his mother, Dr Gloria Carter, the foundation aims to remove financial obstacles to higher education. The organisation focuses on students who may not qualify for traditional merit-based aid, including high school seniors, GED holders, undergraduate students, and those in vocational or trade schools.
The National Scholarship Fund provides qualifying students with up to $15,000 for tuition and practical necessities such as food, transportation, clothing, and laundry. The foundation has historically paid awards directly to educational institutions to ensure the funds support education.
Dr Gloria Carter has argued that many capable young people are overlooked because their grades or family finances do not fit conventional scholarship models. The foundation's programmes also include college preparation, professional development, and international exposure.
Recipients of the scholarship are required to participate in community service and mentor younger students. The organisation's activities also encompass college tours to historically Black colleges and universities and study-abroad opportunities.