Shawn Carter Foundation Tops 2,700 Scholarship Awards
The foundation, founded by Jay-Z and Gloria Carter in 2003, reported its milestone figures in a newsletter.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Scholarships
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The Shawn Carter Foundation has made more than 2,700 scholarship awards since its founding in 2003, including 324 during the 2025-26 academic year. The figures were shared through the foundation's newsletter.
Why it matters
The foundation was created on the belief that financial need should not determine whether a person can continue learning. Its growing award total reflects sustained support for students across the country pursuing education from admission through graduation.
Qualifying students can receive up to $15,000 over the course of their studies, and the foundation's 20th-anniversary gala reportedly raised $20 million in a single night. The source does not detail how many recipients received the maximum amount or how the gala proceeds will be allocated.
The players
Shawn Carter Foundation
A scholarship organization founded in 2003 by Jay-Z and Gloria Carter that supports students through admission and graduation.
Jay-Z
A prominent American rapper, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Shawn Carter Foundation alongside his mother, Gloria Carter.
Gloria Carter
An educator and co-founder of the Shawn Carter Foundation, which she established with her son Jay-Z in 2003.
The details
The National Scholarship Fund supports students from admission through graduation and may cover tuition, transportation, food, laundry, clothing, and other essentials. Eligibility extends to high school seniors, GED holders, undergraduate students, and vocational or trade school students, with financial need weighed alongside leadership, community service, and personal resilience.
Timeline
2003: Shawn Carter Foundation founded by Jay-Z and Gloria Carter.
2025-26 academic year: 324 scholarship awards made.
November 2, 2026: Milestone figures reported in the foundation's newsletter.
Season Trajectory
The Shawn Carter Foundation's National Scholarship Fund, founded in 2003 by Jay-Z and Gloria Carter, has now surpassed 2,700 cumulative awards. The 324 awards made in the 2025-26 academic year extend that record into its more recent years of operation.
Students weighing post-secondary options can review eligibility across high school, GED, undergraduate, and trade school tracks. Scholarship funds that cover transportation, food, and clothing may help offset costs beyond tuition.
The takeaway
Financial support that extends beyond tuition to cover essentials such as food and transportation can determine whether a student stays enrolled. Readers exploring college funding should look at total cost of attendance, not just tuition.
Further reading
Explore more on Scholarships to see how other programs support students pursuing higher education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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