Next deadline: April 2026
The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) provides “last-dollar” scholarships of up to $50,000 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 in their public service careers. 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 meet ALL of these eligibility criteria, both at the time of application and upon enrollment for the Fall 2026 term:
• Plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited college or university in the United States in Fall 2026
• Be completing their sophomore year in Spring 2026 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, or equivalent
• Have demonstrated a commitment to public service
• Plan to pursue a career in public service* upon graduation
• Be a US citizen, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under DACA
• Be 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.
*”Public service” includes a broad range of paths that advance greater societal good. This work most frequently occurs through the nonprofit and government sectors but can also include the arts, social entrepreneurship, and advancing corporate social responsibility for instance.
Please note: Preference may be given to applicants with no or limited prior engagement with other leadership programs in their undergraduate experience.
Selection Criteria
• Possess an interest in building bridges across communities
• Demonstrate curiosity and dedication to being a life-long learner
• Demonstrate a values-based and collaborative approach to leadership
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn from and share with other Voyagers in a group setting
Application Requirements
• Applicants must create an account to access complete requirements, which include, in part:
• short responses to 8 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
• financial aid information
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Voyager Scholarship website (opens external site)
