JAY-Z’s Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University Brooklyn is in hot water. Launched in 2021 with a flashy “debt-free” pitch, the school’s now catching heat from students who say they’ve been stuck with unexpected bills. A Gothamist report spills the tea—and it’s messy.
The “Hope Scholarship” Hype
The school dangled “Hope Scholarships” for high-need students, promising a free ride. Justice Stephenson, an early recipient, got hit with a $26,000 debt bomb—later negotiated down to $5,000 after she proved the debt-free deal. Dozens of others got similar rude awakenings, with letters touting “full-tuition scholarships” to “graduate without debt.” Turns out, the fine print was missing—fees and housing? Not covered.
LIU’s Defense—and the Catch
LIU’s marketing head Jackie Nealon clapped back: “Hope Scholarship offer letters outline the full-tuition deal and student obligations, excluding fees and housing.” But Gothamist dug up letters that hyped “no debt” without mentioning those extras. Students feel duped—and they’re not quiet about it.
More Gripes: Shabby Setup, No Star Power
It’s not just cash—students say the school’s a letdown. Subpar facilities and no-show guest lectures from promised Roc Nation heavyweights like Rihanna or DJ Khaled have them fuming. The dream of a JAY-Z-backed education? More like a busted hype train.
Hov Silent, Ye’s Echo
JAY-Z and Roc Nation haven’t piped up yet. Meanwhile, Kanye West’s Donda Academy—opened and shuttered in 2022 after his antisemitic rants—looms as a cautionary tale, now tangled in lawsuits. Hov’s school drama’s less wild, but the vibe’s familiar: big promises, bigger problems.
