The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service- Voyager Scholarship

Overview:

The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service- Voyager Scholarship Program is a two-year, leadership development and scholarship program, that 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. The Scholarship includes:

  • 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 to alleviate the burden of college debt so that students can afford to pursue a career in public service.

  • $10,000 Summer Voyage stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college; 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 Airbnb 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.

Eligibility:

  • Plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States at the start of the scholarship.
  • 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)
  • Sophomore at the time of application
  • Demonstrated finanicial need.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
  • Demonstrated a commitment to public service and plan to pursue a future career in public service upon graduation

Application Materials: 

  • A completed application
  • Personal statement (1,000 words) describing your background, interests, plans for graduate study, and career aspirations
  • Three letters of recommendation from Penn State faculty members
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Transcript

The program Timeline:

  • Application Open: February 

  • Application Deadline: March

  • Notification of Program Finalists: May 

  • Scholarship Notifications: June - July

  • Funds Disbursed: July - October 

Information
Year at Time of Application: 
Sophomore
Duration of Award: 
Full Year or More
Other: 
Financial Need (including Pell Grant recipient)
Procedure: 
Direct Submission
Area of Interest: 
Agricultural Sciences, Architecture, Business, Communications and Journalism, Education, Engineering, Environmental and Geosciences, Life Sciences, Humanities, Information Technology and Computer Science, International Relations Political Science and Law, Mathematics, Music, Nursing and Health Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Statistics, Visual and Performing Arts
Earliest Application Deadline: 
Jan. – April
Location: 
Domestic
Penn-State Sponsored: 
No
URL: 
The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service- Voyager Scholarship
Fellowship Components: 
Public Service
Financial Need