Beyoncé
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Beyoncé and JAY-Z are giving back—again. In partnership with Tiffany & Co., the couple's philanthropic initiatives—BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation—are launching a new scholarship for students attending five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship will distribute $2 million among students pursuing the arts and creative fields at the following private and state schools: Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio.

According to the universities' presidents, this donation will allow students pursuing the arts to devote themselves to their studies. "This opportunity is timely as our students come from many different socioeconomic backgrounds. These funds will have a tremendous on who we recruit and our students’ success as they move on to graduate and professional schools and into their careers," said Dr. Jack Thomas, the President of Central State University, in a statement.

There are a few qualifications for applicants interested in these scholarships. For one, students at these five schools—either current or incoming—must qualify for financial aid, per their university's guidelines. Then, they must be pursuing degrees in creative fields, history, or communications. Priority will be given to students facing financial hardships, and the individual awards amounts will be determined based on individual student's needs.

Prospective applicants should get ready: Online applications will open at each participating school on Friday, September 10, and close on Sunday, September 26 at 11:59 PM ET.

The announcement comes two weeks after the Carters starred in Tiffany's "About Love" ad campaign, in which Beyoncé donned the jeweler's famous Tiffany Yellow Diamond. The 128.54-carat stone was last seen on Lady Gaga at the 2019 Academy Awards. While a set of striking stills have been released, the ad campaign's complete film—shot by Jay-Z on a Super 8 camera—will launch September 15.

“We are only as strong as the work we do together, and we are honored to partner with The Carters,” said Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer of Tiffany & Co. “Their relentless dedication to lifting underrepresented groups is the inspiration for the About Love Scholarship program.”

The scholarship builds upon the Carters' existing philanthropic pursuits. Beyoncé's charitable foundation BeyGOOD pledged $6 million as part of a COVID-19 relief effort, which included $500,000 in grants to families facing eviction, and has taken global initiatives in South Africa, Haiti, Burundi, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.

Last July, Beyoncé launched the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund in partnership with NAACP. And she's helping fund the educations of three budding gemologists with the Beyoncé Knowles-Carter x Lorraine Schwartz GIA Scholarship.

Similarly, since its inception in 2003, the Shawn Carter Foundation has donated $17 million to initiatives designed to empower youth and communities in need, including an annual bus tour of HBCUs, and has contributed to COVID-19 relief.

The About Love Scholarship program's intent is to support the next generation of Black Americans, and create opportunities for students who will one day create culture. Looking forward to 2022, Tiffany & Co. pledges to expand initiatives for students at HBCUs. This is just the start.