Billionaire's Gift Inspires Morehouse Grad to Pay It Forward

Ross Jordan is taking North Texas teens on an HBCU tour to help them find their college home.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Ross Jordan, a 2019 Morehouse College graduate, had his student loans wiped out by a surprise gift from billionaire investor Robert Smith during his commencement ceremony. Now, Jordan is paying it forward by organizing a college tour for dozens of North Texas high school students to visit historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Why it matters

Jordan's story highlights the transformative impact of student debt relief and how it can inspire paying it forward to the next generation. His initiative to expose more students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, to the HBCU experience aims to make higher education more accessible and inclusive.

The details

After facing financial challenges to attend Morehouse, Jordan's family made sacrifices to ensure he could complete his degree. When billionaire Robert Smith announced he would pay off the student loans of Jordan's entire graduating class, it set Jordan on a path to further his education and now give back to students in his community.

  • In May 2019, Ross Jordan graduated from Morehouse College.
  • During his commencement ceremony, billionaire Robert Smith announced he would pay off the student loans of Jordan's entire graduating class.
  • In 2021, Jordan earned a master's degree from Columbia University.
  • In 2025, Jordan graduated with a PhD in kinesiology from Ohio State University.
  • This spring break, Jordan is taking 27 North Texas high school students on a 5-day tour of 10 HBCU campuses.

The players

Ross Jordan

A 2019 Morehouse College graduate who had his student loans paid off by a surprise gift from a billionaire, and is now organizing a college tour for North Texas high school students to visit HBCUs.

Robert Smith

A billionaire investor and philanthropist who announced during Jordan's Morehouse commencement ceremony that he would pay off the student loans of the entire graduating class.

Pay it Forward Project

An organization founded by Jordan to empower young students to experience and feel they belong in the HBCU college environment.

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What they’re saying

“I know my class will make sure they pay this forward. And we will show it through our actions and our words and our deeds.”

— Robert Smith (WFAA)

“That's how this thing will keep going. If we give it to them, they'll give it to the next, and it'll be amazing when we look back.”

— Ross Jordan, Founder, Pay it Forward Project (WFAA)

What’s next

Jordan hopes to raise additional funds to enhance the experience for the 27 North Texas high school students he is taking on the 'Born to Belong Tour' of 10 HBCU campuses during spring break.

The takeaway

Jordan's story demonstrates the lasting impact of student debt relief and how it can inspire paying it forward to create more opportunities for underrepresented students to access and thrive in higher education, particularly at HBCUs.