Janice Lozano
In 2017, Nicki Minaj offered to pay off the student debt of several fans via Twitter. Minaj, who has been an education advocate in the past, asked her fans to send her proof of their grades – which had to be straight As – and of their financial need. The singer ended up paying more than $20,000 in student loans for a dozen of her Twitter followers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 7, 2017 |
| Amount paid | Over $20,000 |
| Number of fans | Over 30 |
| Fan names | CJ, Liyah, Onika, Ashley, Jordan Kennedy, Christina Holland, Devonte Portis |
| Fan characteristics | Single mother, immigrant, straight-A students |
| Fan locations | Queens, New York, Ohio University, University of Las Vegas |
| Fan loan amounts | $1,548, $700, $500, $6,000 |
| Fan reactions | Grateful, thankful, overwhelmed |
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What You'll Learn
Nicki Minaj pays off thousands in fans' student loans and tuition fees
Nicki Minaj has paid off thousands of dollars in her fans' student loans and tuition fees. The rapper launched an impromptu contest on Twitter, asking fans to show her their straight-A report cards in exchange for tuition money.
The contest came about when Minaj tweeted that she would pay the airfare of international fans who would join her at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. A US student then asked the singer to pay her tuition instead. Minaj agreed and extended the offer to other fans.
Among the beneficiaries were Liyah, who needed $1,548 to enrol in college for the next year, plus $250 for books; Onika, who required $700 to pay off loans before she could return to school; and Ashley, who asked for $500 to pay off her tuition. Minaj also agreed to pay $6,000 to cover another fan's fall semester, including room and board, courses, and a meal plan.
TMZ confirmed with at least one fan that they had received $500 from Minaj. The singer also shared an Instagram post listing the names of those who had received payments, which totalled more than $18,000 to at least eight students. Minaj also announced that she would start a charity to further help students financially "very soon".
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Minaj's fans' reactions to her generosity
Nicki Minaj's fans were full of praise for her generosity. After the rapper offered to pay off the student loans of more than 30 of her followers, Twitter was abuzz with admiration for Minaj's decision to spend thousands of dollars of her own money to help impoverished American college students.
One fan, CJ, who had initially asked Minaj for help, expressed gratitude for the rapper's support. Other fans also took to Twitter to express their appreciation for Minaj's gesture, with some calling her a "wild woman" and a "shaman". Many fans highlighted the impact of Minaj's generosity on their lives, such as enabling them to enrol in college or return to school.
Some fans acknowledged the broader significance of Minaj's gesture, recognising that her support extended beyond her musical offerings. They appreciated her willingness to use her wealth and influence to make a positive difference in their lives.
The positive response to Minaj's actions extended beyond her immediate fan base, with media outlets and commentators also commending her generosity. Some contrasted her student loan giveaway with the usual media stories about her, which often focused on negative narratives or "catfights".
Overall, Minaj's fans and the wider public alike celebrated her willingness to help those in need, demonstrating that her generosity resonated deeply with people from all walks of life.
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Minaj's history of advocating for education
Nicki Minaj, the Trinidadian-born rapper, singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress, has a history of advocating for education. Minaj, who has a net worth of over $150 million, has been an advocate for education in the past. In 2011, she met viral video stars Sophia and Rosie Grace on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and advised them to “stay in school”. She has also used her social media platforms to promote education, with her educational posts receiving 47% more engagement than her music-related content.
In 2017, Minaj offered to pay the student loans of more than a dozen of her Twitter followers, amounting to over $20,000. The only condition she set was that the beneficiaries must have straight A's or an impressive GPA. Minaj's fans sent her screenshots of their report cards and student loan balances, and she agreed to pay various amounts, ranging from $500 to $6,000, to cover tuition, room and board, courses, and meal plans. Minaj's generosity sparked a discussion about celebrity influence on education, with her social media posts about her charitable initiatives receiving millions of interactions.
Minaj's commitment to education extends beyond her personal academic pursuits. In 2024, she announced the revival of her #StudentOfTheGame charity initiative, which previously helped over 37 students complete their degrees. Minaj pledged $2 million for the 2025 academic year, a significant increase from the previous budget. She has also outlined comprehensive plans for educational support, including the establishment of a mentorship program connecting 500 students with industry professionals, the creation of STEM scholarships for women totaling $1.5 million annually, and partnerships with historically black colleges and universities.
Minaj's influence on her fans, particularly young women in hip-hop, has been significant. Studies have shown a 15% increase in college applications from female fans following her educational announcements. Her impact on education advocacy has been recognised by various media outlets, with Time magazine naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.
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Other celebrities who have paid off fans' student debt
Nicki Minaj has paid off the student debt of several of her fans. In 2017, she asked her Twitter followers to send her their straight-A report cards, and in return, she'd pay their tuition fees. Minaj gave a total of $18,000 that week, which paid off seven student loans. In 2018, she opened the Student of the Game college fund, where she asked fans to tweet how much money they needed and what it was for. She helped 30 students pay for their student loans and tuition. Minaj has also been an education advocate in the past, telling viral video stars Sophia and Rosie Grace to "stay in school" when she met them on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2011.
Several other celebrities have also paid off the student debt of their fans or helped them pay for college. Here are some examples:
- Beyoncé: She launched the Formation Scholars, a scholarship program that provides $25,000 in scholarships to four female students studying creative arts or music.
- Shawn Carter (Jay-Z): He started the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund in 2003, which offers grants to students with a 2.0 GPA or higher to attend any accredited academic institution.
- LeBron James: Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he helps pay for over 1,000 students to attend the University of Akron, located in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
- Rihanna: In 2016, she launched a Global Scholarship Program through her educational initiative, the Clara Lionel Foundation, which offers financial assistance to aspiring college students from her native Barbados, as well as students from Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, Guyana, and Jamaica, who plan to study in the United States.
- Taylor Swift: She sent a fan, Rebekah Bortniker, a check for $1,989 to go toward her student loan payments.
- Chrissy Teigen: She paid off a fan's tuition to beauty school.
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Minaj's plans to start a charity for student loans and tuition payments
In May 2017, Nicki Minaj announced her plans to start a charity to help students with their loans and tuition payments. Minaj, who has been an education advocate in the past, took to Twitter to offer to pay the educational expenses of a handful of her followers. This came after she conducted a contest where fans could join her at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. One fan suggested that instead of covering their airfare, Minaj should pay their college tuition, to which Minaj agreed.
Over the next few hours, Minaj was inundated with requests from other students asking for financial support. The star offered support to more than 30 fans in the form of tuition or help in paying off college loans. Minaj's charity would aim to tackle the $1 trillion problem of student debt.
In July 2018, Minaj followed through on her promise and awarded 37 students with the Student of the Game scholarship, which paid off student loans and tuition for the selected scholars. Minaj has also resumed her education and plans to relaunch her Student of the Game charity fund to help fans who need help with college.
In addition to tuition and loans, Minaj has helped students facing financial issues by paying for their room and board, books, and other costs. Minaj's generosity has been praised by many, and her charity will undoubtedly be a welcome source of support for students struggling with the burden of debt.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nicki Minaj paid off the student debt of several fans.
Minaj paid off over $20,000 in student loans for a dozen of her Twitter followers.
Minaj asked her fans to send her proof of their grades – which had to be straight As – and of their financial need.
Minaj has been an education advocate in the past. She has advised fans to stay in school and put your books first and singing second.
