Deadline: March 17, 2026.

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

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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 2026 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 2026. Eligible students are:
  • Finishing sophomore year in Spring 2026. Applicants should be considered “juniors” based on the total number of earned credits at their institution by Fall 2026 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 2026-2027 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.

BENEFITS

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE