Rihanna Gives Back: ‘Diamonds’ Singer Offers Promising US College Scholarship Program For American, Latin American & Caribbean Students

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Rihanna is giving back through her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF). The "Diamonds" hitmaker is offering a promising U.S. college scholarship program for American, Latin American and Caribbean students who want to take up a bachelor's degree in the upcoming 2016 academic year.

The US College Scholarship Program Is Rihanna's Way Of Giving Back

"To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honor," Rihanna told USA Today. "Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it.  I am thrilled to be able to do this."

Rihanna's college scholarship program is offered to incoming freshmen students from the U.S., Latin American countries and selected Caribbean islands, specifically Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Guyana and Haiti, who wanted to obtain a bachelor's degree at any university within the U.S. Successful applicants will be granted with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for the 2016 academic year, and may be renewed until a bachelor's degree is completed.

Qualifications For Rihanna's US College Scholarship Program

According to the CLF's website, local and international students, who are interested in acquiring the full-tuition grant of Rihanna's U.S. college scholarship program, have until June 10 to submit their application. A committee will pick 50 finalists and will screen them based on their academic performance, work experience, personal essay, and leadership and participation in school and community activities. The final picks for Rihanna's U.S. college scholarship program will be announced this August.

Rihanna Recognizes The Importance Of Educational Opportunities

Christian Science Monitor reports that Rihanna, who grew up in Barbados, did not finish high school and instead, focused on her singing career. Despite being a high school dropout, the "Work" singer has always acknowledged the importance of educational opportunities. Through her U.S. college scholarship program, Rihanna is hoping that she can help ease the financial burden that comes with education.

Rihanna launched the CLF in 2012 to honor her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Aside from the recent U.S. college educational program, the foundation has already organized various philanthropic works, including an oncology and nuclear medicine treatment center, financial assistance for Barbados schools, HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, and relief programs for Hurricane Sandy and Typhoon Haiyan.

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