The Shawn Carter Scholarship 2026

If you are planning to study in America with financial support, the Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at American universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

The Shawn Carter Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for US students. This scholarship covers tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel, and select costs of living.

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. By removing some of the financial burdens associated with going to, surviving in, and graduating from college, the SCSF plays a vital role in increasing college access and success for many motivated yet underserved youth and young adults.

The SCSF provides individual grants, paid directly to the educational institution, to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel, and select costs of living. All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.

SCSF attracts candidates from all backgrounds, nationwide. They all have a compelling desire to pursue higher education, despite many personal, socio-economic setbacks, including teen pregnancy, former incarceration, interrupted schooling, poverty, and homelessness. They are hardworking, resilient, and determined individuals who want to make positive contributions to their local and global communities, and they turn to the SCSF to make their ambitions and dreams possible.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Undergraduate
Institution(s): Any Accredited College in the USA
Study Destination: USA
Deadline: May 01, 2026 (THE SCF NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION ARE NOW OPEN.)

Scholarship Coverage

The Shawn Carter Scholarship provides the recipient with:

Tuition expenses
Supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel, and select costs of living.
Expected grant up to $1500 – $2500

Eligibility Criteria for the Shawn Carter Scholarship

To qualify for the Shawn Carter Scholarship, candidates must fulfill all of the following requirements:

Required Language: English
Eligible Countries: US citizen or Permanent Resident
Students pursuing their first undergraduate degree:
- High school seniors
- Students with GED diplomas
- Students enrolled in 2-year or 4-year undergraduate programs
- Students enrolled in vocational or trade schools
25 years old or younger
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Household income not exceeding USD 75,000

How to Apply for the Shawn Carter Scholarship?

Please follow the instructions below to apply for the Shawn Carter Scholarship:

Please visit the official website after April 1st.
We kindly encourage you to begin your application early and ensure it is completed on time. The earlier you start the application, the better chances you have to apply before the deadline. You also have more time to ask them questions in case any part of the process needs clarification.
Tell them about yourself and use details when sharing your extracurricular activities. They do not know anything about you until you share it with them. Details can help them understand how great you are. The same can be said about your essay. They don’t expect the essay to run too long, but make sure your essay helps them learn more about you and your perspectives.
Please review your application for any grammar and spelling errors.
The photo is optional. If you decide to provide a photo, please send a headshot from the shoulders up, similar to an ID card.
If your question has not been answered above, please direct your inquiry to: scsfapplicant@shawncartersf.com