Voyager Scholarship
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Description
The Voyager Scholarship (also known as the Obama Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of undergraduate college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them. 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. The scholarship provides financial aid for the junior and senior year, a grant to pay for a summer voyage between the junior and senior year, and ten-year annual travel stipend from Airbnb. Awardees are invited to a fall summit each year, and gain access to a network of leaders via the Obama Foundation.
This scholarship offers up to $25,000 in "last dollar" financial aid for the junior and senior year. $10,000 is awarded for a "Summer Voyage" between the junior and senior year which is designed by the student with the goal to broaden their horizons and prepare them for careers in public service. After graduation, Airbnb will provide students with a $2,000 travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000.
The Voyager Scholarship is administered by the Obama Foundation in partnership with Scholarship America. The program is funded by a personal contribution from Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the fall of the application year. Eligible students are:
- Finishing sophomore year in spring of the application year. Applicants should be considered “juniors” based on the total number of earned credits at their institution by fall of the application year
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0
- Be United States (US) citizens, US permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)
Students must demonstrate financial need to be considered for the program.
Selection Criteria
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.
Applicants must:
- Have demonstrated a commitment to public service
- Plan to pursue a future career in public service upon graduation
Preference may be given to applicants with no or limited prior engagement with other leadership programs in their undergraduate experience.