South African global superstar Tyla has launched the “That Girl” Music Scholarship in partnership with Epic Records, awarding $5,000 each to ten young women pursuing music education. Six recipients will come from the United States and four from South Africa.
The initiative, announced on October 13, 2026, takes its name from the empowered single “That Girl” on Tyla’s recently released album APOP*. It is designed to support aspiring female artists as they take the next step in their musical careers.
Recipients will also receive concert tickets and a meet-and-greet with Tyla during her ongoing A*POP World Tour.
In the United States, one scholarship will be awarded in each of six cities along the tour route: New York City, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. Priority will be given to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The remaining four awards are reserved for young women in Tyla’s home country of South Africa.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and full-time undergraduate students (or, for South African candidates, entering or currently enrolled at the time of the local concert). They must be pursuing music or arts-related majors and demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. Required materials include a one-page personal statement, a 30-second video, a school transcript and proof of financial need.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship is the result of a collaboration between Tyla, Epic Records and partners including Sony Music and the International Institute for Education. Organisers described the programme as a way to help talented young women overcome financial barriers while studying music near the cities where Tyla performs.
Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, rose to international prominence with the global hit “Water,” which earned her a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance. She has since collected a second Grammy and established herself as one of the leading voices in contemporary pop and amapiano-influenced music. Her second studio album, APOP*, released in July 2026, continued her commercial and critical momentum.
By naming the scholarship after one of her own empowering tracks and tying it directly to her world tour, Tyla has created a practical link between her success and the next generation of female artists. The decision to allocate four of the ten awards to South African students reflects her ongoing connection to her home country even as her career has expanded globally.
Music education remains expensive for many students, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds. A $5,000 award can cover a significant portion of tuition, equipment, travel or living costs for a semester or year, depending on the institution. The added experience of attending a Tyla concert and meeting the artist in person is intended to provide both inspiration and tangible industry exposure.
The programme arrives at a moment when Tyla’s profile continues to rise. Her ability to blend South African sounds with mainstream pop has opened doors for other African artists while building a substantial international fan base.
Initiatives such as the That Girl Music Scholarship allow established stars to translate commercial success into concrete support for emerging talent.
Application Deadline
Details on application deadlines and exact eligibility windows for each city are expected to be released through official channels linked to the tour and Epic Records. Interested students are advised to monitor announcements from Tyla’s team and the partner organisations.
For young women studying music in the selected U.S. markets and in South Africa, the scholarship represents a timely opportunity. It combines financial assistance with direct access to one of the most successful artists of her generation.
By prioritising HBCU students in the American awards and ensuring strong representation from South Africa, the programme also signals an intentional focus on communities that have historically faced barriers in the music industry.
Tyla’s move joins a growing list of artists who have used their platforms to create educational pathways for the next generation. In this case, the structure is deliberately tied to her current touring schedule, ensuring that the support feels immediate and connected to her live performances.
As the A*POP World Tour continues, the ten scholarship recipients will be selected and announced. Their stories, once public, are likely to illustrate the practical impact of combining financial aid with personal encouragement from an artist who has already navigated the journey from local stages to global stages.
The That Girl Music Scholarship stands as a clear statement of intent from Tyla: success can and should create space for others to follow.
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