News

Travel and financial aid opportunity through the "The Voyager Scholarship" for rising juniors

President Obama and Airbnb CEO are teaming up to offer "The Voyager Scholarship". This scholarship gives 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.

An increasingly globalized world needs young leaders who can bridge divides and help solve our biggest challenges together. The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO, to help shape such leaders. Even though they come from different backgrounds, both the President and Brian believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation which equips the next generation to create meaningful change.

What the Scholarship provides

  • Up to $50,000 in financial aid: Students will receive up to $25,000 per year in “last dollar” financial aid for their junior and senior years of college. This financial aid should alleviate the burden of college debt so that students can afford to pursue a career in public service.

  • Summer Voyage: Students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college. The students will design their own Summer Voyage to gain exposure to new communities and experience in a chosen field.

  • 10-year travel stipend: After graduation, Airbnb will provide the students with a $2,000 travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000. This will allow students to continue to broaden their horizons and forge new connections throughout their public service careers.

  • Fall Summit: Students will be invited each fall to an annual summit to help define and inspire their public service journey. At the summit this fall, they will meet with President Obama and Brian Chesky to talk about the role of empathy and understanding in leadership. They’ll also hear from guest speakers on different approaches to service, and build community with other Voyagers.

  • 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.

What makes a Voyager

The Obama-Chesky Scholarship is looking for young people from every corner of the country who share a curiosity about the world and the conviction to want to make positive change within it—just like the founders. Students 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 Voyager Scholarship is open to students entering their junior year of college at an accredited four-year college or university in the US, who have demonstrated a financial need, and who are US citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients.

Am I eligible to apply?

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 Fall 2022. 
  • Eligible students are: Finishing sophomore year in Spring 2022 or transferring from a two-year to a four-year college for their 2022-2023 junior academic year.
  • Have a minimum grade point average 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.
  • Be a United States (US) citizen, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)

Applicants must plan to pursue a career in public service—what does that mean?

A career in public service includes a range of occupations—from community organizing to social work and from entrepreneurship to the arts—all committed to solving our biggest challenges together. Public service includes careers in government, non-profits or the private sector.

The deadline to apply is June 14, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. 

To learn more and apply click here.

Email Sarah Opatz at sarah.opatz@hsc.wvu.edu if you have any questions, plan to apply or need a reference.