Roc Nation Rolls Out $300 Million Scholarship Program for Underprivileged Philly Kids

Brooklyn’s greatest rapper is doing his due diligence to help education.

According to Billboard, Roc Nation has been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, including a recent initiative in Philadelphia’s education system. Last Friday, the organization announced a donation of $300 million in scholarships to the school system.

What will the funding do? It will give underprivileged kids in grades K-12 the opportunity to attend “prestigious private schools and various educational institutions across Philly.”

The music label will spread awareness by hosting events daily from June 10 to June 21 throughout the greater Philly area. Those in attendance will have a chance to learn more about the PASS, or the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success, also known as Senate Bill 757.

“We have enjoyed such a special connection with Philadelphians, so we’ve made it our mission to invest in the long-term success of the city’s changemakers,” said Roc Nation Managing Director of Philanthropy Dania Diaz in a statement. “Impact starts with the students and with awareness. We want to empower the youth and families with the knowledge to pursue their scholastic dreams, make their voices heard and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

These scholarship amounts will be contingent upon their age group as well as their education level. Half-day kindergarteners will receive $2,500, K-8th graders will get $5,000, all the while high schoolers will rack up $10,000. For special needs children, they will collect $15,000 in scholarship funding. As for a student to be able to get a scholarship, their family cannot make upwards of 250 percent of the federal poverty threshold, which is $75,000 for families of four.

Jay-Z and Roc Nation, though, are no strangers to uplifting, as well as connecting with Philly through the years. The Roc in the past hosted the annual Made In America festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, as well as the REFORM Alliance, which has helped in passing legislation to help those on parole or probation in PA.

The following is the Roc Nation schedule: