Young Guru to provide full-tuition scholarship for one prospective student looking to enroll at Roc Nation’s School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University
Young Guru Launches Full-Tuition Scholarship With Roc Nation
Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, producer, educator, and longtime music industry executive Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton is once again investing in the next generation of music professionals. The acclaimed engineer has announced a new full-tuition scholarship for a prospective student attending the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU), offering not only financial support but also an invaluable mentorship experience.
The scholarship underscores Young Guru’s long-standing commitment to education, mentorship, and creating opportunities for aspiring music industry leaders. As the Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program at the Roc Nation School, Young Guru has played a significant role in helping shape the institution since its launch in 2021.
Applications officially opened today for students seeking admission for the Fall 2026 semester, giving aspiring producers, engineers, artists, and music entrepreneurs a rare opportunity to receive a world-class education completely tuition-free while learning directly from one of the industry’s most respected figures.
Scholarship covers four years of tuition
Unlike many scholarships that provide partial financial assistance, the Young Guru Scholarship will cover 100% of tuition for four academic years, removing one of the biggest barriers many students face when pursuing higher education.
The scholarship recipient will also receive opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.
Among the biggest benefits is the chance to shadow Young Guru throughout the academic year, giving students firsthand exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of one of the music industry’s premier engineers and producers.
Students will also work directly alongside Young Guru inside the Roc Nation School’s state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos-enabled Professional Studio, where they’ll gain hands-on experience using the same immersive audio technology increasingly adopted throughout today’s music industry.
In addition, the recipient will become eligible for the school’s prestigious Dean’s Scholars Program, which offers:
- Professional mentorship
- Industry networking opportunities
- Career development programming
- Access to exclusive educational experiences
Together, these opportunities are designed to prepare students for successful careers long before graduation.
How students can apply
Applications for the Young Guru Scholarship are now officially open.
Students interested in applying must first seek enrollment at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment for the Fall 2026 semester.
Applicants will then submit either a written essay or a video presentation lasting no more than three minutes answering three questions:
- How do you define success?
- How will the Young Guru Scholarship help you become the best version of yourself?
- Where do you see yourself in ten years, and how will you get there?
Applications will remain open through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 17, 2026.
Rather than focusing solely on grades or technical ability, the scholarship encourages applicants to reflect on their ambitions, personal growth, and long-term vision for their future in the entertainment industry.
That approach aligns closely with Young Guru’s philosophy that education should develop both professional skills and personal character.
Young Guru continues championing mentorship
Throughout his career, Young Guru has become one of the most respected engineers in modern music.
Known for his decades of work alongside JAY-Z, as well as collaborations with artists across hip-hop, R&B, and pop, he has earned a reputation not only for technical excellence but also for mentoring young creatives.
Announcing the scholarship, Young Guru emphasized that education has always been central to his mission.
“Education and mentorship have always been at the heart of everything I do. This scholarship is about creating opportunities for the next generation of music industry professionals. I want these students to not only receive an incredible education, but also gain real-world experience, build meaningful relationships and leave prepared to shape the future of our industry.”
The statement reflects a career dedicated to passing knowledge forward.
Rather than limiting his impact to recording studios, Young Guru has increasingly focused on helping aspiring engineers, producers, entrepreneurs, and artists gain access to educational resources that weren’t always available to previous generations.
Building on a history of giving back
This isn’t the first time Young Guru has invested directly in students.
He previously sponsored a full-tuition scholarship in 2022, helping another aspiring music professional attend the Roc Nation School.
His continued involvement demonstrates that the scholarship wasn’t a one-time initiative but part of an ongoing commitment to expanding educational access.
Young Guru also joins a growing list of influential entertainers and athletes supporting students through scholarships at the Roc Nation School.
Those supporters include:
- Grammy Award-winning artist and entrepreneur DJ Khaled
- Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion
- NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball
Each scholarship reflects Roc Nation School’s broader mission of connecting successful industry professionals with future generations of leaders.
Instead of simply lending their names to the institution, these artists are actively investing in student success.
Young Guru recently hosted Dolby Atmos masterclass
The scholarship announcement follows another educational initiative from Young Guru earlier this month.
As part of New York Music Month, he hosted a free masterclass titled “Inside the Mix: Young Guru in the Studio.”
Held inside the Roc Nation School’s Dolby Atmos studio, the event gave attendees an inside look at how some of today’s most recognizable records are mixed and engineered.
Participants received a behind-the-scenes perspective on both the creative and technical processes involved in producing professional-quality recordings.
The event further highlighted Young Guru’s passion for teaching.
Rather than keeping industry knowledge exclusive, he continues creating opportunities for emerging creators to learn directly from experienced professionals.
These types of educational experiences help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world music production.
Roc Nation School continues expanding opportunities
Since opening its doors in Fall 2021, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University has positioned itself as a unique destination for students pursuing careers in entertainment, entrepreneurship, sports management, and music production.
Located in Brooklyn, the hometown of Roc Nation founder Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, the school combines traditional university education with direct access to working professionals across multiple industries.
Its faculty includes university professors, entertainment executives, producers, artists, entrepreneurs, and guest lecturers who bring real-world expertise into the classroom.
Students can pursue careers in:
- Music Technology
- Audio Engineering
- Music Production
- Entrepreneurship
- Sports Business
- Artist Management
- Performance
- Entertainment Marketing
The curriculum emphasizes practical experience alongside academic learning, ensuring graduates leave with both knowledge and professional connections.
Hope Scholarships continue reducing student debt
One of the Roc Nation School’s defining initiatives is its Hope Scholarship Program.
According to the school, approximately 25 percent of enrolled students receive Roc Nation Hope Scholarships, allowing them to graduate tuition debt-free.
The scholarships are awarded to academically competitive, first-time freshmen from New York with demonstrated financial need.
Combined with opportunities like the Young Guru Scholarship, these programs reflect the institution’s larger mission of making careers in music and entertainment more accessible regardless of a student’s financial background.
By reducing educational costs while providing internships, networking opportunities, and mentorship, the school aims to prepare graduates for long-term success across multiple sectors of the entertainment industry.
Investing in tomorrow’s music leaders
Young Guru’s newest scholarship represents far more than financial assistance.
It offers aspiring students direct access to one of music’s most accomplished engineers while opening doors that many young professionals spend years trying to unlock.
Between four years of tuition, mentorship inside a professional Dolby Atmos studio, networking opportunities through the Dean’s Scholars Program, and one-on-one guidance from an industry veteran, the scholarship provides a comprehensive foundation for launching a career in music.
As competition within the entertainment industry continues to grow, opportunities that combine education with hands-on professional experience have become increasingly valuable.
For aspiring producers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and music executives, the Young Guru Scholarship could become a life-changing opportunity. It also reinforces the Roc Nation School’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers through mentorship, innovation, and industry access. As applications open for the Fall 2026 semester, one student will soon receive not only a full scholarship but also the chance to learn directly from one of modern music’s most respected educators and creators.