Megan Thee Stallion returned to her alma mater, Texas Southern University, to gift 20 lucky students with scholarships toward their education.
As part of Megan’s Flamin’ Hot scholarship initiative, the Grammy Award-winning rapper visited TSU on Nov. 8 to surprise recipients of the $175,000 scholarship fund, Houston Public Media reports. Students were shocked when the “Savage” rapper stepped out during a school pep rally to greet the crowd.
She sported pieces from her Melody Ehsani-designed Flamin’ Hot University merch line that partly funded the scholarship. TSU’s marching band, Ocean of Soul, helped welcome her on stage, where she participated in a chat with the university’s associate vice president for marketing and communications, Tracy Clemons.
“I had an absolute blast bringing Flamin’ Hot University to life and tapping into my love for food and fashion,” Megan said.
“But more than anything, I’m extremely proud that we were able to uplift TSU students, establish an impactful scholarship fund, support the Pete and Thomas Foundation, and promote the importance of education.”
The fund was established earlier this year, and 20 TSU seniors were selected out of all the applicants for a slice of the $175,000 scholarship. There’s also more scholarship money that’s on the way at TSU.
“We want to help graduating seniors because that helps to get them off on a fresh start once they graduate,” TSU’s Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations & Special Events Connie Cochran said. “Students will have an opportunity to probably apply in December for the spring semester.”
In addition to the scholarship fund, Flamin’ Hot will also contribute $100,000 to Megan’s Pete and Thomas Foundation, which offers resources to women, children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in Houston with a focus on education, housing, and health and wellness.
“Everyone deserves to be their Flamin’ Hot self, but student loans can create a significant burden on college graduates –- especially at HBCUs where students graduate with 19% more debt than those at non-HBCUs,” senior vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay, Tina Mahal adds