April 9, 2025
College students on the Jay-Z-backed Roc Nation College of Music are in debt after being promised in any other case.
Jay-Z backed the Roc Nation College of Music at LIU Brooklyn, the place choose college students have been promised to “graduate with out debt” however are discovering out in any other case.
A minimum of a dozen college students chosen for the inaugural class of LIU’s Roc Nation College of Music are talking out to the Gothamist in regards to the surprising debt they’ve accrued regardless of receiving provide letters stating they might graduate “with out debt.” These college students, with money owed starting from $5,000 to $39,000, are calling out what they describe as combined messaging with the college’s “Hope Scholarship,” supposed for the “highest-need” college students.
“You have a look at this paperwork the place this very costly establishment is telling you you’d be capable to get all these alternatives for much less, you’re going to get your faculty paid for, they usually use this propaganda to get you in,” mentioned Ajaiya Thomas, a Hope scholar, who transferred to a distinct college after two years due receiving $19,000 in surprising prices from LIU.
Many college students have been keen to hitch the high-profile program—a partnership between Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and LIU—that promised to form the following technology of artists and leisure entrepreneurs, full with visitor lectures from Roc Nation stars just like the Jonas Brothers and Rihanna.
”I keep in mind being simply usually conflicted about faculty, after which coming throughout this faculty made me really feel a way of safety,” mentioned Justice Stephenson, a Hope scholar making ready to graduate whereas additionally paying off $5,000 in pupil debt. “It was a full scholarship instantly. It was a music faculty, which is iconic and the dream. And Jay-Z is concerned.”
Stephenson mentioned she efficiently negotiated her $26,000 debt down after arguing to LIU officers that she had been promised a debt-free commencement. Along with the surprising debt, college students have raised considerations with directors in regards to the high quality of the Roc Nation College of Music.
Among the many considerations was the dearth of knowledgeable recording studio—one thing college students majoring in areas like sports activities administration and music manufacturing mentioned they needed to construct themselves. Additionally they criticized the promotional supplies that marketed superstar visitor audio system equivalent to Rihanna, DJ Khaled, and the Jonas Brothers, who by no means appeared.
The college has defended its place, with LIU advertising chief Jackie Nealon stating that the scholarship covers tuition solely and is meant to permit college students to graduate “tuition debt-free.” Additionally they notice over 200 superstar visitor audio system, together with Megan Thee Stallion, Fats Joe, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez.
Nonetheless, it’s a sticky scenario that some monetary assist specialists say could have been used to spice up enrollment amid low numbers.
“A giant story of the day is the desperation of even very selective establishments to enroll college students … There are merely not sufficient college students to go round,” mentioned Ann Marcus, the next training coverage professor at NYU, noting the declining enrollment charges nationwide.
“The secret was to get butts in seats they usually make these guarantees, and they also mentioned, ‘F— it, we don’t desire a small class. We’re going to confess all people.’ And that’s what they did,” mentioned Kenyatta Beasley, a former music professor at LIU-Brooklyn who now teaches at Hofstra College.
Nealon maintains that the scholarship program is “making an influence.” Nonetheless, college students who have been left with debt are calling it a “rip-off.”
“This feels like a rip-off. It feels like a ‘College of Rock’ bulls—, Donald Trump College s—,” mentioned Jorden Drone, a Hope scholar who owes almost $39,000 in debt for pupil loans he thought he’d by no means want.
“My dad thought it was a rip-off,” mentioned Sumante Hutchinson, a Hope scholar who owes $37,000 in federal pupil loans. “Come to search out out it sort of has been a rip-off.”
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