Everything You Need to Know About the Voyager Scholarship 2023

In an increasingly globalized world, we need young leaders who can bridge divides and work together to solve our greatest challenges. The Obamas and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky established the Voyager Scholarship to help shape such leaders.

Despite their disparate backgrounds, both the President and Brian believe that exposure to new places and experiences fosters understanding, empathy, and cooperation, preparing the next generation to effect meaningful change.

 

This scholarship provides college students with financial aid to help with college debt, meaningful travel experiences to broaden their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to help them.

 

What is the Voyager Scholarship?

 

The Voyager Scholarship (Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service) was established by Michelle and Barack Obama, as well as Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, who believe that exposure to new places and experiences fosters the understanding, empathy, and cooperation required to equip the next generation to effect meaningful change. 

 

This $50,000 scholarship aims to shape 100 young leaders who can bridge divides and help solve our most pressing problems by providing college students with financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to broaden their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them. 

 

In addition, recipients will receive a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior years of college, as well as a scholarship.

 

What are the benefits of the Voyager Scholarship?

 

• In “last dollar” financial aid, students can get up to $25,000 a year for their junior and senior years of college. With the help of this financial aid, students should be able to pay off their college loans and pursue careers in public service.

 

• Between their junior and senior year of college, students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience. The students will create their own summer voyage to explore new places and gain expertise in a particular field.

 

• The students will receive a $2,000 travel credit from Airbnb every year for ten years following graduation, for a total of $20,000. As a result, students will be able to keep expanding their horizons and making new connections throughout their careers in public service.

 

• Each fall, a summit will be held for students to help define and be inspired by their path toward public service. They will meet with President Obama and Brian Chesky at the summit this fall to discuss the importance of empathy and understanding in leadership. 
• Additionally, they will develop a sense of community with other Voyagers and listen to guest speakers discuss various service strategies.

 

• Students will be granted access to a network of leaders by being invited to a regular speaker series throughout the course of the program. They will learn about new service opportunities and advancements taking place in their fields thanks to this network of leaders. 

 

• After graduating, they will become a part of the global community of the Obama Foundation, which will make Foundation resources and programming available to them.

 

Eligiblility for the Voyager Scholarship?

 

To be eligible, candidates must satisfy each of the following requirements:

 

• Plan to start their junior year of study full-time in the fall of 2022 at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States. Students who qualify are:
• finishing their sophomore year in the spring of 2022 or switching from a two-year to a four-year university for their junior academic year in 2022–2023.
• possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or something comparable.
• have shown a dedication to public service
• After graduation, intend to pursue a career in public service
• possess a permanent resident card, be a citizen of the United States (US), or be a person who has been given deferred action status by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)

 

Requirements for the Voyager Scholarship?

 

To access the full requirements, applicants must first create an account, which includes, among other things:

 

• Responses to prompts should be brief.
• A two-minute video.
• Current, complete transcript of grades, including student name, school name, grades, and credit hours for each course, as well as the term in which each course was taken
• Copy of pages 1 and 2 of the most recently filed 1040 form used to complete the application’s financial section*

 

*If you are a dependent and must provide financial documentation, please do so along with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)’ tax form; if you are an independent adult, please provide documentation for yourself.

 

How do I apply?

 

The Voyager Scholarship application is available online at AMP’s website. An essay, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other supporting materials must be submitted as part of the application process. 

 

To be considered for funding for the upcoming academic year, applications must be submitted by April 1st.

 

Worth

 

Students will receive up to $25,000 in “last dollar” financial aid per year for their junior and senior years of college to cover remaining tuition and/or living expenses (Applicants should check with their Financial Aid Officer to understand how this aid might affect their Penn financial aid package)

 

Students will plan their own summer trip between their junior and senior years of college, with a budget of $10,000. 

 

Students will be able to pursue internships or mentorship opportunities anywhere in the world, broadening their horizons and preparing them for careers in public service. Students will also be able to stay in homes on Airbnb using Airbnb credits.

 

After graduation, Airbnb will give the students a $2,000 travel credit every year for the next ten years, for a total of $20,000. This will allow students to broaden their horizons and make new connections throughout their careers in public service.

 

Selection Criteria

 

The Voyager Scholarship selectors are looking for young people from all over the United States who, like our founders, are curious about the world and determined to make a positive difference in it. 

 

Applicants should have a strong desire to help others, prior experience serving in or building communities, and a broad view of what is possible through public service.

 

Deadline

The deadline is June 14, 2023. (3:00 pm US Central Time) (Extremely likely Deadline)

 

Conclusion

 

The Voyager Scholarship allows students to further their education while also gaining access to valuable resources, services, and financial assistance. 

 

The Voyager Scholarship benefits can be life-changing and make a significant difference in the academic and professional success of those who receive it. 

 

If you meet the requirements, we strongly advise you to apply for the Voyager Scholarship right away!

 

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