Scholarships •

Complete guide to the Shawn Carter Scholarship

Learn more about the Shawn Carter Scholarship, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Shawn Carter Scholarship

This guide will cover everything you need to know about the Shawn Carter Scholarship, including eligibility requirements, how to apply, and how much financial support you can receive.

We’ll also discuss some similar scholarships you might be eligible for.

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What is the Shawn Carter Scholarship?

The Shawn Carter Foundation was founded in 2003 by Gloria Carter and her son, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. The foundation was founded with the belief that anyone with motivation should have the opportunity to pursue further education without worrying about the cost of attendance.

Average cost of further education

The scholarship awards money to students from households making less than $75,000 per year. The program awards as much as $2,500 to recipients each year and continues to make awards for as long as the recipient remains in good standing as a student.

How to apply for the Shawn Carter Scholarship

In this section, we’ll cover what you need to know to apply for the Shawn Carter Scholarship.

Eligibility requirements

Before you apply for the Shawn Carter Scholarship, make sure you meet these requirements:

  • Be pursuing your first undergraduate degree

  • Be a US citizen or permanent resident

  • Be 25 years old or younger

  • Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher

  • Have a household income not exceeding $75,000

The application

The Shawn Carter Scholarship accepts applications through its website. We’ll break it down.

  • Page 1. Describes the program and what it looks for in applicants.

  • Page 2. Registration. You’ll provide your name, age, and contact info to create an account.

  • Page 3. Prequalification. You’ll confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.

  • Page 4. The application. You can go through the following steps in any order:

    • Applicant information

    • Education information

    • Honors and rewards, both academic and extracurricular

    • Extracurricular activities, including which you participate in and how long you’ve participated

    • Family information

    • Financial information

    • Personal statement and special circumstances

    • Essay and photo

    • Letter of recommendation

It’s important to fill out the application as fully as possible. Also, make sure that you take the time to write a good personal statement and essay. These are your opportunities to let your personality shine through and to show why you want to pursue higher education. 

The application doesn’t list a specific topic for the essay, so feel free to get creative and use the opportunity to make a good case for why you deserve the scholarship.

Important dates to remember

If you’re applying for the Shawn Carter Scholarship, remember these important dates:

  • Applications open: April 1

  • Application deadline: April 30

  • Award date: Not listed

Other scholarships like the Shawn Carter Scholarship

The Shawn Carter Scholarship is aimed at students who need financial assistance with paying for college and who may not have perfect academic records. Instead, it focuses on other factors, including a determination to better oneself through education.

Some similar awards include:

Mos can help you get started applying for both government financial aid and scholarships, like the Shawn Carter Scholarship. Join us now. 

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