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Work, work, work, work hard in school and you may just have your college tuition paid for by Rihanna. The Grammy-winning Barbadian singer and songwriter announced her initiative to help citizens or natives of Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, and Jamaica through scholarships of up to $50,000 per year. She stated that, "to be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honor...Higher education will provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve this. I am thrilled to be able to do this."
Scholarship renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and can be renewed every three years or until the international student earns their bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Students must have been accepted into an accredited four-year college or university in the United States and demonstrate academic performance, leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and write a personal essay. It is unknown how much money will be disbursed annually.
Founded in 2012, Rihanna's well-known nonprofit Clara Lionel Foundation strives to improve the "quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts and culture." The foundation has already donated $1.75 million to the oncology department at a Barbadian hospital. Additionally, her partnership with the makeup company MAC and the Viva Glam campaign raises money for those with AIDS and HIV. The sales from her first lipstick alone raised $60 million in 2013.
According to NPR, "students from these countries are generally not well-represented among the ranks of foreign students in the U.S." Despite the small percentage of these foreign students studying in the United States, there are plentiful scholarships and organizations dedicated to funding international students' college education. To get a glimpse, check out our scholarships for international students/study abroad.