The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Voyager Scholarship, formally known as the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, is a unique program designed to support students with financial needs who are committed to pursuing careers in public service. Administered by the Obama Foundation and funded by a $100 million contribution from Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO, the scholarship provides access to travel and education, aiming to broaden horizons and prepare students for impactful careers.

Key Components of the Voyager Scholarship

The Voyager Scholarship offers a multifaceted approach to supporting aspiring public servants. Recipients benefit from financial aid, immersive travel experiences, networking opportunities, and ongoing support. Here's a breakdown of the key components:

Financial Aid

Voyager Scholars receive up to $50,000 in "last dollar" financial aid, distributed as $25,000 per year for their junior and senior years of college. This aid is intended to cover any remaining tuition and/or living costs after other financial aid sources have been exhausted. It is crucial for applicants to consult with their Financial Aid Officer to understand how this scholarship might affect their overall financial aid package.

Summer Voyage

A defining feature of the Voyager Scholarship is the opportunity for students to design their own "summer voyage" between their junior and senior years. With a budget of $10,000, scholars can pursue internships or mentorship opportunities anywhere in the world. This experience is designed to broaden their horizons and provide practical experience in their chosen field of public service. The scholarship also provides credits for Airbnb, allowing students to stay in homes while on their voyage.

10-Year Travel Stipend

After graduation, Voyager Scholars receive a $2,000 travel credit from Airbnb every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000. This stipend encourages continued exploration, networking, and professional development throughout the early stages of their public service careers.

Read also: Comprehensive Voyager Review

Fall Summit

Voyager Scholars are invited to an annual Fall Summit, which offers opportunities to connect with President Obama, Brian Chesky, and other leaders in public service. The summit also provides a valuable networking platform, allowing scholars to connect with fellow Voyagers and alumni.

A Network of Leaders

Throughout the program, students are invited to an ongoing speaker series, giving them access to a network of leaders. This network exposes them to new areas of service and innovations happening in their fields.

Eligibility and Application Process

The Voyager Scholarship targets students eligible for need-based financial aid who are passionate about public service. While the scholarship does not formally require a university endorsement, students are encouraged to seek feedback on their application materials.

Seeking Feedback

Students can submit drafts of their Voyager application well in advance of the priority deadline to receive feedback. Some universities offer a campus committee to review application materials received by a specific date, providing valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. University faculty and staff familiar with the award review materials received by this date.

Application Deadline

A complete Voyager Scholarship application must be submitted online by a specific date, such as April 1, 2025. Resources like Canvas pages may offer additional tips and samples of winning applications.

Read also: Voyager Program Opportunities

The Impact of the Voyager Scholarship

The Voyager Scholarship has a profound impact on the lives of its recipients, empowering them to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world. Iman Ahmad ’27, a government major at Dartmouth College interested in civil rights and immigration, is one example of a student who has benefited from the scholarship.

Ahmad, who is from Coral Gables, Fla., is majoring in government, with a minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. She plans to go to law school with a focus on humanitarian and civil rights law. She applied for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, she says, because she thought it would be a good opportunity.

Currently studying for a term at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Ahmad traces her interest in immigration law to her family. “My parents are immigrants, so l’ve been aware of immigration issues for as long as I can remember,” she says.

“I want to help anyone whose rights are being violated or overlooked. That includes both documented and undocumented immigrants-everyone deserves fairness and protection under the law,” she says.

Ahmad chose to attend Dartmouth because of “its tight-knit community and the unique experience it offers. I love the traditions, and it has been a wonderful place to grow both personally and academically.”

For her Summer Voyager program, she hopes to work with an international nongovernmental organization that focuses on immigration or human rights, working with displaced communities.

Ahmad's experience highlights the transformative potential of the Voyager Scholarship. As Christie Harner, the associate dean of undergraduate education for fellowships and scholars programs at Dartmouth, notes, Ahmad's selection as a Voyager Scholar is "a testament to Iman’s commitment to public service and to the interdisciplinary strengths of her preparation on campus."

The scholarship has also broadened Ahmad's understanding of human rights. A Foreign Policy class taught by Lisa Baldez, a professor of government, as part of the Washington, D.C., Off-Campus Program, was a revelation, Ahmad says, because it broadened her ideas of what it means to enjoy and confer human rights. Individual rights include not only free speech and freedom from repression, but also the rights that people might overlook, such as the right to rest and reasonable limits on working hours. “The course made me think critically about the gap between the rights people should have and the reality of who actually gets to experience them.

The Vision Behind the Voyager Scholarship

The Voyager Scholarship is rooted in the belief that young people have the potential to solve the world's most pressing problems. By providing financial support, travel opportunities, and access to a network of leaders, the scholarship empowers students to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact on society.

Established by former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, the scholarships are awarded by The Obama Foundation to provide opportunities for young people to enter public service through a two-year program focusing on education, mentoring, and career development. Students awarded a Voyager Scholarship receive up to $50,000 toward college expenses over their junior and senior years and $10,000 and free housing for a self-designed work-travel experience, or “summer voyage.” They also have access to a network of advisers and other support as they define their public service journeys.

tags: #Voyager #Scholarship #program #details