Hollywood's Hottest in Academia: Get a Celeb-backed Scholarship!

Now more than ever, attending college is the cornerstone of success. Even famous people, who usually become wealthy in less conventional ways, are doing their best to fund higher education. It is not a secret that they do not have financial problems, and in recent years more and more superstars have been opening scholarships to help students in need with their academic journeys. So if you are on a hunt for a scholarship and would not mind some famous person making your dream come true, read on to get to know more on ongoing celebs’ scholarships that a variety of students could apply for.

BMI Foundation John Lennon Scholarships

Available to: Current alumnus/students of universities and colleges in the United States; aged 17-24.

Even though John Lennon is not with us now, his legacy is available in many different ways, including academic scholarships. In 1997, Yoko Ono, a Japanese singer, songwriter, and Lennon’s widow, established the John Lennon Scholarship in tandem with the BMI Foundation. In order to get one, you have to provide an original song. Keep in mind that it should be the song that no major record label or music publisher has the rights to. Every year, three of the best original songs get scholarships of US$20,000.

Alec Baldwin Scholarship Fund at New York University

Available to: Students from all over the world.

Just like many other Hollywood greats, Beetlejuice star Alec Baldwin offers a special reward for the students willing to study at New York University. In order to become part of Baldwin’s alma mater, you have to demonstrate financial need, as well as exhibit talent, leadership skills, work ethics, and ability to tolerate work with sound and constructive criticism.

Camille and Bill Cosby Scholarship in Science

Available to: Undergraduates majoring in the natural sciences.

Students of a Temple University majoring in the field of natural sciences are welcome to try to get the Camille and Bill Cosby Scholarship in Science. What is more, you also have to demonstrate a GPA of 3.25 or higher or complete the FAFSA in order to get a reward of $3,000.

Made in Detroit Scholarship

Available to: All currently enrolled part-time or full-time undergraduates and graduates that are residents of the state of Michigan.

If you are a fan of Kid Rock, you are not going to miss an opportunity to get the CFPCA Made In Detroit Scholarship. Launched to encourage continued progress and recognize academic achievement, the reward is provided to Wayne State University undergraduates and graduates. In other words, if you are majoring in the field of music and reside in Michigan, you have a chance to get $500 to $700.

The Formation Scholars Program

Available to: Current undergraduates or females coming to study literature, creative arts, African-American studies, or music at Howard University, Berklee College of Music, Spelman College, or Parsons School of Design.

Is there anything that Beyoncé can’t do? She dances. She’s an incredible singer. She’s a loving mom and a humanitarian. In order to help young women pay for higher education, Beyoncé offers $25,000 – a special award provided by the Formation Scholars Program.

Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship

Available to: Students who are the US citizens with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to apply to this program.

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund helps students boost their education experience by providing all resources needed to deal with the college enrollment process. Founded by Jay-Z and his mother Gloria, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund helps undergrads pay the tuition and finish college right on time. The program offers $1,500-$2,500 to students with low income from underserved regions of urban America.

The Bruce Lee Foundation Scholarship

Available to: Students and families within the USA.

The scholarship established in honor of the legendary Bruce Lee is provided to undergrads who demonstrate the same passion for education as Bruce Lee did. The main goal of this $1000 award is to motivate individuals all over the globe to become the best versions of themselves. You have to be genuinely interested in the award; however, that is just one of the criteria that exist. What is more, you will be required to write an essay on one of the key principles that Bruce Lee embodied. Some of them include “All knowledge ultimately is self-knowledge," "Using no way as way; having no limitation as a limitation," and "Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do,” and so on. Don’t worry if your writing skills are far from perfect. You can find professional help from a custom essay writer service like AdvancedWriters.com. Skilled writers and editors can help you produce a supreme quality piece. After all, your interest and readiness to self-explore are the key requirements to get the reward.

Michael and Juanita Jordan Scholarship

Available to: College juniors who are planning to enroll in a UNCF member university or college.

A world-known American former professional basketball player Michael Jordan and his wife launched scholarships for undergrads from Chicago to enroll in institutions that are members of the United Negro College Fund. The basketball star provided $5,000 to help needy students succeed in academics. It is also important to note that the Jordan brand offers full-ride scholarships that are available through the program called the Jordan Brand Wings Scholars Program.

David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship

Available to: Undergrads of the Ball State University engaged in minor or major studying in the field of telecommunications.

In 1985, a famous American talk show host David Letterman launched the scholarship of $10,000. The Ball State University graduate provides the first runner-up with an opportunity to get $5,000, while the second runner-up gets $3,333. In order to apply for this scholarship, make sure to write a creative paper in accordance with the existing requirements.

Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarships Program

Available to: First-year students of Morehouse College who have financial need and demonstrate academic merit.

Morehouse College – a liberal arts college located in Atlanta, Georgia – offers four different scholarships launched by an American talk show host, producer, and actress Oprah Winfrey. You’re welcome to apply for the Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program that provides scholars with an opportunity to participate in international exchange programs launched by South African partner institutes. In order to apply for any other scholarships, the applicants have to complete community service and meet the minimum GPA/SAT requirements.

Scholarships Provided by Famous Brands

Not only celebrities offer scholarship opportunities for students from all over the world, but some of the world-famous brands also provide financial support to help college applicants pay for higher education. Check out some of the options:

  • McDonald’s. Students applying for the McDonald’s HACER® Program have an opportunity to receive from $5,000 to $100,000. The awards are available for Hispanic US students. The scholarships guarantee an opportunity to study any course full time at a university or college in the United States. You will be assessed on your academic achievements, financial situation, community involvement, and personal qualities.
  • L’Oréal. You’re welcome to apply for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships. Launched to promote and support women in science, this scholarship is offered to five international fellowships each year. Once a year, women who pursue postdoctoral research in the field of life sciences receive £15,000.
  • Microsoft. All students from all over the globe who study in the field of computer science or any other STEM discipline are welcome to apply for the scholarship offered by an American multinational technology company.
  • Starbucks. According to the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, all members of staff in the US and UK have an opportunity to receive financial aid when they pursue a first-time bachelor’s degree online at Arizona State University.

Applying for a Scholarship: The Basics

Studying at a trusted college is usually an expensive decision to make. And in case your financial situation leaves a lot to be desired, academic expenses can seem unaffordable. Now that you know more about the scholarships available at the moment, make sure to read on to find out where to start to successfully apply for a scholarship.

  • Do your research
    Not having enough time means facing loads of pressure moments. To avoid putting too much of it on yourself and missing out on some great scholarship options, it is highly recommended to start your scholarship hunt as early as you can. The more time you invest in your scholarship search, the more opportunities will be there for you. You need time to do your research, approach scholarship providers, receive information, deal with application forms, and get your application done within the deadline.
  • Check your eligibility
    One more thing to take into account is whether you are eligible for the scholarship you’re going to apply for. Many of them have a range of specific criteria that you have to meet. When you do in-depth research, you will be able to choose the scholarships that you’re the best fit for.
    Always be organized. When it comes to working on a celeb-backed scholarships, it is important to be organized. First of all, make a note of each scholarship that you’re about to apply for. Thus, you will be able to keep track of each and not miss the specified deadlines. We recommend getting a separate folder for each option and keep all related materials there. You will always know where this or that information is.
  • Provide all the required information
    When potential students apply for scholarships, they believe it is better to apply for many at once, instead of focusing on two or three. If you’re one of them, however, chances are you miss out on some crucial information related to the application process. What you have to do here is ensure that you have all information required by the selection panel. The point is that if your application lacks some items, your first impression will turn into a failure, especially if these items are specifically requested.
  • Remove all mistakes
    Applying for a scholarship is very similar to having a job interview. Everyone wants to make the best impression and to do it, you have to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure to revise your paper in order to ensure it contains zero errors. Before you submit it, ask a friend or a family member to check your writing and proofread it for you. They will be able to detect the mistakes that you did not notice.
  • Give accurate information
    Even though it sounds so obvious, you have to provide correct details. If you give wrong personal information or contact details, you will look unprofessional and prove that you do not respect the admission board representatives. So ensure to triple check every other piece of information before you send off the forms.
  • Provide references
    To apply for a scholarship, you may be required to give references in your application. When you do so, ensure to pick these people wisely and carefully. After all, there's just too much at stake here. Make sure to let all of your referees know when exactly you’re going to apply for a scholarship and what kind of experience and skills you have to demonstrate. Thus, they will be able to write a well-thought-out reference that points out the parts of the application that you would like to be notable.
  • Keep the deadline in mind! 
    Before you apply for a scholarship, ensure to give yourself a couple of days. Use this pause to have some time away, get your application printed professionally, or receive the final confirmation from your referees. Always keep in mind that if there is anything worse than an application containing mistakes, it is an application provided too late.

As college and university degrees become more and more important, they also get more expensive. For that reason, many young people tend to struggle to save as much as possible to invest in higher education. A lot of Hollywood stars bring up the question of education affordability. And even though many of them tend to be engaged in frivolous spending, a lot of them have actually put their money into the field of academia. Many have launched special programs in order to provide financial assistance to needy students. We hope that the aforementioned scholarships and programs will help you foot the bill for your dream of earning a degree.