Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has donated $1 million (£765,000) to his alma mater Howard University.
The 46-year-old rapper pledged the amount during his concert at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. as part of his Bad Boy reunion tour on Thursday night (22Sep16).
After bringing a giant check onto the stage, Combs told the crowd that he had decided to make the sizeable donation to help “anybody who can’t pay off their financial aid.”
In a statement, Combs further explained that the money will be used to support The Sean Combs Scholarship Fund, which will award scholarships to select undergraduate business majors starting at Howard next autumn (17).
As well as the financial aid they will receive, the lucky scholarship recipients will also be given summer internships at either Bad Boy Entertainment or Revolt Media & TV, and will have a mentor from Combs Enterprises to help them on their journey.
“I was blessed to receive a great education from Howard University – one of the best schools in the world – and it helped to fuel my success in business and life,” Combs said in a statement. “This scholarship will make it possible for the next generation of leaders to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness.”
Combs first attended Howard University for two years, but dropped out in 1990 before completing his education. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the institution in 2014 and also delivered the school’s commencement address before he was given the honour.
Speaking to the crowd in 2014, Combs told them: “Ain’t no homecoming like a Howard homecoming, and it feels so good to be home! Howard University didn’t just change my life – it entered my soul, my heart, my being and my spirit. Nobody is going to invite you to the front of the line, you got to push your way to the front of the line.”