In 2021, roughly 50 students enrolled in the Roc Nation School of Music , a partnership between Jay-Z’s company and Long Island University, on the promise that they would graduate debt-free. The scholarship sounded too good to be true to prospective students — now, they’re learning that it was. Students who expected to graduate without debt found out they owed thousands to the university due to what they describe as misleading marketing tactics.
A Jay-Z-backed school promised students they could graduate without debt
Justice Stephenson, a recent high school graduate, was on the fence about college until she received a text message that convinced her to attend.
“I tried to reach you by phone. Roc Nation School at LIU is awarding you a full tuition scholarship,” read the text from LIU President Kimberly Cline, per Gothamist . “You will receive full tuition and be able to graduate without debt.”
The Roc Nation School offered scholarships to prospective students and promised the ability to graduate without debt.
“I am pleased to share that you have been awarded a Hope full-tuition scholarship… This scholarship, combined with financial grants will allow you to graduate without debt,” read an acceptance email many students received. “As a Hope scholar, you don’t have to worry about tuition charges.”…