Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

Scholarship Description
The Voyager Scholarship supports students who have a passion for helping others, experience serving their communities, and can demonstrate an expansive view of what’s possible through public service. We are looking for young people from every corner of this country who share a curiosity about the world and the conviction to want to make positive change within it.

Scholarship Details
Up to $50,000 in financial aid: Students will receive up to $25,000 per year in “last dollar” financial aid for their junior and senior years of college.
Summer Voyage: Students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free housing in Airbnb listings (up to $4,200) to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college.
Access to a network of leaders and mentors

Eligibility Criteria
Current college sophomores who plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited college or university in the United States (U.S.) in the coming Fall
Eligible students are completing their sophomore year in Spring or transferring from a 2-year to a 4-year college or university for their junior academic year. “Junior” is defined as having earned the needed number of credits at your institution to be considered a “Junior” or having two years of full-time enrollment remaining before earning your Bachelor’s degree.
Demonstrate financial need this is calculated using a similar formula to the FAFSA
Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent. Students are required to upload unofficial transcripts as part of the application process
Have demonstrated a commitment to public service. Public service is broadly defined, and eligibility is not limited to specific areas of study or degree programs
Plan to pursue a career in public service upon graduation
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)
Program Commitment – You are able to commit to fully participating in once-per-month programming, including individual meetings with coaches and network connections, as well as developing an actionable Summer Voyage plan.

Application Process
Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including academic and public service commitments
Plan to enroll full-time in your junior year for the coming academic year
Prepare to demonstrate financial need and academic achievement
The program identifies students in their second year of undergraduate studies who will be starting their third year in the Fall. Over the course of two years, programming will facilitate opportunities for students to refine their values-based leadership approach, build bridges across communities, and nurture their sense of curiosity as they deepen their commitment to pursuing public service careers.