Nick Cannon Wipe ‘N Out Thousands of Dollars in Debt for 7 HBCU Grads

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: October 1, 2021

Nick Cannon Wipe ‘N Out Thousands of Dollars in Debt for 7 HBCU Grads

Nick Cannon surprised seven HBCU students with scholarships to pay off tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt when they graduate college. (Photo Source: The Nick Cannon Show via YouTube)

In Summary

“The Nick Cannon Show” hosted seven HBCU students from various backgrounds on Monday, promising to forgive every single penny of their student loan debt when they graduate.

Entertainer Nick Cannon is out here doing the government’s work by clearing tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt for seven college students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) when they graduate, per The Associated Press.

Cannon’s nationally syndicated talk show dedicated Monday’s episode to students from Saint Augustine’s University, North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University, Clark Atlanta University and other HBCUs.

The students shared their struggles of growing up in a toxic and low-income environment, being the son of immigrants, being raised by a single mother who always had to work two jobs and overcoming homelessness and a learning disorder. They also stressed their ambition to attend an HBCU, noting the importance of being seen as the majority instead of a minority.

The students received surprise news from Cannon that their outstanding college debt would be forgiven upon graduation thanks to a scholarship funded by the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

“I’m going to be honest with y’all, I was so moved by all y’all stories and obstacles you’ve overcome that I got to help out,” said Cannon, adding that the students deserve a fresh start.

“I’m wishing y’all all the best,” he continued. “Take it there. The future is yours. You’re going to make us all proud.”

Cannon, a 2020 graduate of Howard University, says he’s “so proud to be part of such an incredible legacy,” adding that these colleges and universities played a “pivotal role in developing some of the brightest minds and influencers of our time.”

The seven HBCU students featured on the show have varying levels of student debt, ranging from $34,000 to $120,000, but they all believe it is worthwhile to obtain a college education, pursue their career goals and most importantly, break generational curses.

Statistics show that student loan debt is at an all-time high in 2021. Americans have accumulated more than $1.71 trillion in debt across 44.7 million borrowers—and is nearly $739 billion greater than the total credit card debt in the United States.