Barbadian-born Grammy-winning singer Rihanna has announced a global scholarship program that would fund education for students from seven countries: Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, and the United States. Here are excerpts from Caribbean 360:

The college scholarship programme, launched through her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), would provide up to US$50,000 in scholarships for successful applications from Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, or the US who have already been accepted into a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited four-year college or university in the US for the 2016-2017 year.

”To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honour.” 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,” the star told USA Today.

Recipients will receive an award ranging from US$5,000 to US$50,000, which may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance, and awards may be used only for tuition expenses.

The deadline for applications is June 10. Once applications are submitted, a committee will screen 50 finalists based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal essay, and winners will be announced by August.

[. . .] Rihanna founded the CLF in 2012 in honour of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.

For original post, see http://www.caribbean360.com/news/rihanna-launches-scholarship-programme

For more on the foundation, see http://claralionelfoundation.org/