In partnership with BeyGood and Tiffany & Co., The Shawn Carter Foundation launched the About Love Scholarship in 2021, awarding $2MM over four years across five HBCUs: Bennett College, Central State University, Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, reaching over 251 students.
In the Fall of 2025, another nearly $1MM was allocated across all five schools to conclude the About Love Scholars initiative.
The scholarship supported incoming and current students interested in pursuing degrees in creative fields (visual arts, media, performance, design, etc.), history, and communications, with priority given to students facing financial hardships and in need of emergency financial assistance.
From 2013-2016 the Shawn Carter Foundation and the Institute of International Education (IIE)/Gilman International Scholarship Program collaborated to expand the global experiences and leadership opportunities for underserved students through establishment of full study-abroad scholarships.
NYLON was a cultural exchange program designed by the Shawn Carter Foundation and the University of the Arts London/London College of Communication. Its aim was to increase the future employment prospects of underserved students by exposing them to cross-cultural academic, experiential, and professional development opportunities within the creative industries. NYLON launched in 2015, and its students went on to create marketing campaigns for the Made in America Festival and the Shawn Carter Foundation, while also developing a strategy to expand the NY-LON program itself.
Our Study Abroad efforts are currently on pause. Check back for updates on when we will resume our international programs.