"Last Dollar" support for undergraduates wanting to pursue a career in public service.

Deadline

June 14, 2023

4:00 PM ET

Quick facts

Academic Discipline

All

Citizenship

US Citizen, Permanent Resident, DACA

Status

Sophomore, Junior

Location

Domestic

GPA: Required Minimum

3.0

Endorsement Required

No

Award Amount

Up to $50,000 of financial aid for junior and senior years of college. "Last dollar" awards pay for college costs remaining after other forms of financial aid.

Students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior years of college.

After graduation, will receive a $2,000 travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000.

Description

The founders of this scholarship believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation which equips the next generation to create meaningful change.

This scholarship is designed to help students who are interested in pursuing a career in public service avoid college debt; providing up to $25,000 per year. Scholars will receive a stipend and housing* to design their own summer work-travel experience, that exposes them to new communities and experiences in their chosen field. After graduating, scholars will receive a $2,000 travel credit for 10 years, totaling $20,000, allowing them to continue to make new connections in their public service networks. 

Programing involves an annual fall summit to help define and inspire their public service journey and an ongoing speaker series, giving them access to a network of leaders. After graduation, they will join the Obama Foundation’s global community, providing them with Foundation resources and programming.

* Housing provided by Airbnb.

Eligibility

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 the Fall. Eligible students are:
    1. Finishing sophomore year in Spring before application year
    2. Or transferring from a two-year to a four-year college for their 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)