Next Deadline: March 2024
The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) was created by Michelle and Barack Obama and Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO, who believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation needed to equip the next generation to create meaningful change. Each year, this $50,000 scholarship aims to help shape 100 young leaders who can bridge divides and help solve our biggest challenges by giving college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them. Recipients will also receive a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college, as well as a $2,000 travel credit for the next ten years.
Prospective applicants should make an individual advising appointment with Keila Diehl in the OURS National Scholarships Office.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
• be a U.S. citizen, 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)
• plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. in Fall 2023. Eligible students are 1) finishing sophomore year in Spring 2024 (considered “juniors” based on the total number of earned credits at their institution by Fall 2024), OR
2) transferring from a 2-year to a 4-year college for their 2024–25 junior academic year.
• have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent
• have demonstrated a commitment to public service
• plan to pursue a career in public service* upon graduation
*Public service includes careers in government, non-profits, or the private sector. A career in public service includes a range of occupations—from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts.
Please note: Preference may be given to applicants with no or limited prior engagement with other leadership programs in their undergraduate experience.
Selection Criteria
The Voyager Scholarship selectors are looking for young people from every corner of the U.S. who share a curiosity about the world and the conviction to want to make positive change within it—just like our founders. Applicants should have a passion for helping others, experience serving in or building community, and an expansive view of what’s possible through public service.
Application Requirements
• Applicants must create an account to access complete requirements, which include, in part:
• short responses to prompts
• 2-minute video
• current, complete transcript of grades that includes student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course, and term in which each course was taken
• copy of pages 1 and 2 of the most recently filed 1040 form used to complete the financial section of the application*
*If you are claimed as a dependent, please supply financial information and the tax form from your parent(s) or guardian(s); if you are independent, please supply financial information and the tax form for yourself.
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Voyager Scholarship website.