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Live application window: January 25, 2023 through March 22, 2023 3:00 pm Central Time

Thank you for your interest in the Voyager Scholarship. We’re excited you want to use your passion for public service to create meaningful change. Please carefully review the eligibility guidelines and required materials listed below before you proceed with your application.

Have questions about the program? Read our FAQ sheet for more information.

The application and scholarship disbursement is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team and the Obama Foundation. Awards for this scholarship are granted to eligible recipients without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.

Applicants to the Voyager Scholarship must:

  • Plan to enroll full-time in their junior year of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States (including U.S. Territories) in Fall 2023. Eligible students are finishing their sophomore year in Spring 2023 and will be considered juniors based on total number of credits earned at their institution by Fall 2023. (Students transferring from a two-year to a four-year college as juniors for the 2023-2024 academic year are eligible.)
  • Have four (4) semesters or six (6) quarters of full-time academic coursework remaining before graduating
  • 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 (U.S.) citizen, U.S. permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)

*We have a broad definition of public service, which includes careers in government, non-profits or the private sector. 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.

No employee, consultant, officer, or director of the Obama Foundation, member of the scholarship selection committee, or family member of any employee, consultant, officer, director, or member of the selection committee is eligible to apply.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  1. A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades and credit hours for each course
    • Term in which each course was taken
  2. A copy of pages one and two of the most recently filed 1040 form used to complete the financial section of the application.
    • If you are claimed as a dependent, please supply financial information and the tax form from your parent(s) or guardian(s).
    • If you are independent, please supply financial information and the tax form for yourself.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.