If you put in the work (work, work, work, work), Rihanna may grant you a college scholarship. The ANTI singer has announced her funding for a scholarship program that will assist students with college fees in Barbados, Brazil, Haiti, Guyana, Cuba, Jamaica and the U.S.

Awards will be given through RiRi’s Clara Lionel Foundation, a charity she set up in honour of her grandparents to raise money for education, health, music and the arts. Financial aid packages will range from $5,000 to $50,000, with the aim to help as many students in need as possible. Given the unfathomably big loans students are burdened with from American universities ­– the average college kid is saddled with $35,000 debt – it’s potentially a huge weight lifted for those who need it most to succeed.

“To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honour,” says the singer. “Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this.”

In a video to announce the vision of the initiative, the Bajan philanthropist explains: “A lot of these kids, they’re really smart and they’re doing really well in school, but they may not have the access or the financial stability to take it any further than that. That’s why we started the program.”

Applications are open from now until June 10 2016, with 50 winning candidates judged on their "academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal essay”.