Voyager Scholarship applications are open! Info sessions & application support for UW students available
Applications for the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service are available here! Applications close on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central Time. Learn more about the Voyager Scholarship.
Voyager Scholarship information sessions hosted by the Voyager staff:
- 3/12/25, 3pm
- 3/24/25, 11am
- Register to attend one of these zoom events
Application support for UW students:
Join the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards’ scholarship advisors for these Scholarship Searching & Writing Parties to work on your application materials and get feedback along the way:
- 2/27, 3-4:30pm (drop in any time), MGH 171
- 3/17, 3-4:30pm (drop in any time), MGH 171
- Let us know you plan to attend
Can’t make it to one of those sessions? Connect with UW scholarship advisors for an advising appointment.
Voyager Scholarship overview:
The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service 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. This scholarship gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their connections to new communities, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them, including:
- Up to $50,000 in financial aid: up to $25,000 per year in “last dollar” financial aid for their junior and senior years of college.
- Summer Voyage: $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college.
- 10-year travel stipend: After graduation, Airbnb will provide the students with a $2,000 Airbnb travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000.
- Fall Summit: During their Junior Year, Voyagers may have the option to attend an in-person convening where they will engage in community building activities with fellow Voyagers, build their leadership skills, and learn from experienced leaders in public service.
- Network of leaders: Throughout the program, students will be invited to an ongoing speaker series, giving them access to a network of leaders. This network of leaders will expose them to new areas of service and innovations happening in their fields. After graduation, they will join The Obama Foundation’s global community, providing them with Foundation resources and programming.
Eligibility requirements:
Applicants must meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria. Applicants must meet these eligibility requirements both at the time of application and enrollment for the Fall 2025 term.
- Current college Sophomores who plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States in Fall 2025. Eligible students are:
- Finishing sophomore year in Spring 2025. Applicants should be considered “juniors” based on the total number of earned credits at their institution by Fall 2025 or having two years of full-time enrollment remaining before earning your Bachelor’s degree
- Or transferring from a two-year to a four-year college for their 2025-2026 junior academic year
- 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.
- Plan to pursue a future career in public service upon graduation.
- Be a United States (U.S.) citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA).
- 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.