The “Hope Scholarship,” granted to the university’s “highest needs” students, promised that recipients would “graduate debt free.” But the students Gothamist talked to ended up owing anywhere from $5,000 to $39,000, with several transferring or even dropping out of the school because of unexpected fees. Turns out, the school only meant to promise free tuition, not a full ride, so students expecting an easy lift were shocked to be hit with academic and housing fees. In 2023, the university reportedly “changed language on an LIU webpage about the Hope Scholarship from a ‘debt-free education’ to a ‘tuition-free education.'”
The financial situation wasn’t the only misleading element for students who attended. Those enrolled in the Roc Nation program were confused by the lack of adequate facilities. A group of students ended up building their own DIY recording studio because the campus didn’t have one; Gothamist notes on its own tour of the campus that even in the practice rooms that did exist, there was a distinct lack of soundproofing. Students were also disgruntled that, barring a visit from Megan Thee Stallion, A-list guest lecturers like Rihanna, DJ Khaled, and the Jonas Brothers never showed, despite their names being part of the advertising for the program. (The university argues it’s hosted plenty of guests, including people like Fat Joe and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.) Jay-Z himself, whose name is all over the school and whose work is built into the curriculum, apparently never dropped by.
Experts interviewed for the piece affirmed that LIU’s language regarding scholarships was “confusing,” noting that it’s a symptom of schools struggling with enrollment. It seems that in this case, the solution was to more or less trick vulnerable students into enrolling. On multiple occasions, Gothamist confirmed that school officials encouraged young students to take out private loans to cover growing costs. “This sounds like a scam. It sounds like a School Of Rock bulls—,” one student, Jorden Drone, told the outlet. “Donald Trump University s—.” You can read the full report here.
