STORMZY WILL cover the university costs of two more Cambridge students, it has been revealed.
Last year the grime artist launched The Stormzy Scholarship, which pays for the tuition fees of two undergraduate students attending Cambridge and provides them with a maintenance grant for up to four years.
The 26-year-old set up the scholarship, which is especially for black and mixed-race students, with his own funds but said he hoped external partners would provide financial support for the scheme in the future.
Stormzy said: “There are so many young black kids all over the country who have the level of academic excellence to study at a university such as Cambridge - however we are still under represented at leading universities.
“We, as a minority, have so many examples of black students who have excelled at every level of education throughout the years. I hope this scholarship serves as a small reminder that if young black students wish to study at one of the best universities in the world, then the opportunity is yours for the taking - and if funding is one of the barriers, then we can work towards breaking that barrier down.”
Speaking about the scholarship last year, Stormzy said he wanted black students to be aware that attending a university like Cambridge was possible.
"It's so important for black students, especially, to be aware that it can 100% be an option to attend a university of this calibre. We're a minority, the playing ground isn't level for us and it's vital that all potential students are given the same opportunity,” he told the BBC.
Recipients of the Stormzy Scholarship have not been identified as part of efforts to ensure they have an ordinary experience of university life.
The Brit award winner has been praised for his efforts to support black students in achieving their academic dreams.
Labour MP Diane Abbott who recently criticised the Home Office’s new anti-knife campaign that sees chicken shop packaging was among those who
“So Stormzy is doing so much more for urban youngsters than the Tories with their ludicrous fried chicken box campaign. He is offering leadership. Tories are peddling stereotypes,” she tweeted.
David Lammy said: “Big respect to Stormzy for using his wealth and platform to lend a hand to others.”
Professor Stephen Toope, the University of Cambridge’s vice-chancellor, said: “Stormzy is an inspiration, not just for his music but for his engagement on social issues and encouragement of young people. He has achieved great success in his career, but recognises that this was at the expense of his studies and the option of a place at a top university.
“He wants to inspire talented young black people who have their sights set on university to follow their dreams. The scholarships are a beacon for black students who might otherwise have felt they could not come to Cambridge.”
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