OBAMA Foundation Scholarship, 2024 (USA)

Country: United States

University: University Of Colombia

Introduction:

Our mission at the Obama Foundation is to help people turn hope into action—to inspire, empower, and connect them to change their world.  Day in and day out, we’re supporting and connecting values-based changemakers around the globe, by working to create a world where girls have equal opportunities to pursue their dreams through access to education, and by fostering safe and supportive communities where young men of color have clear pathways to opportunity. Hope will have a new homebase at the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago where we’re building the Obama Presidential Center. It’s the manifestation of our hope for a strong, thriving South Side of Chicago, where we act to bring more opportunity, investment and public spaces to our community that, in turn, nurtures future generations of leaders in our own backyard.The words wrapped around the Museum building reflect President Obama’s remarks on the Edmund Petus bridge to mark the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. “Oh, what a glorious task we are given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.” 

Eligibility:

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University seeks rising leaders from the United States and around the world who meet the following criteria:

• Are emerging leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their field and are now at a “breakthrough moment” in their careers
• Have a proven commitment to service and leadership within a community, region, or country coupled with a demonstrated commitment to return to these communities following their completion of the program and apply their enhanced training, skills, and connections on a long-term basis for the benefit of these communities
• Are fluent in verbal, written, and spoken English
• Have the ability and inclination to positively shape the future of their community
• Have a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, community-orientation, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity and resilience

Please note: Priority will be given to applicants who have not matriculated at Columbia University. The fellowship is a full-time, residential program at Columbia and cannot be undertaken at the same time as a degree program. 

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend to assist with living expenses in New York City
• A furnished studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University
• All tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University
• Basic medical, dental and life insurance for the duration of the program in New York City
• Air travel to and from home country and any program-related activities

Scholarship Covering:

The Obama Foundation Scholars program covers the following costs:

• Monthly stipend to assist with living expenses in New York City
• A furnished studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University, if the program is able to convene in person
• All tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University
• Basic medical, dental, and life insurance for the duration of the program in New York City, if the program is able to convene in person
• Air travel to and from home country and any program-related activities, if the program is able to convene in person

Requirements:

You have to submit the below documents:

Resume/curriculum vitae

The resume/curriculum vitae should be a chronological listing of your employment and academic history, and other significant activities, including any awards, publications, or other achievements․

Personal video statement

The personal video statement should be a short video (no longer than three minutes in length) introducing the applicant and their work to the selection committee. Applicants will upload their video statement to a video hosting service, like YouTube or Vimeo, and will include a link to their video in the online application. Additional information on the requirements for the personal video statement can be found in the online application.

Responses to short essay questions

The short essay questions help the selection committee understand the applicant’s work, their motivation and how the program fits into their career trajectory. Applicants will submit their essay questions in the online application.

Proof of English proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting scores from one of four exams: The internet-based or paper-based exams of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or the Duolingo English Test (DET). No other exams will be accepted.

This requirement is waived for applicants who:

• have completed an undergraduate degree – not a master’s or graduate degree – in a country where English is an official language;

OR

• have previously taken the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or DET exams in the last five years and scored at or above the minimum requirement of 100 (TOEFL-IBT), 600 (TOEFL-PBT), 7.0 (IELTS), 68 (PTE Academic), or 120 (DET; 75 on the DET taken prior to July 2019). If applicants qualify for a waiver under this exception, they must upload a scanned copy of their score report to the online application to ensure their application is eligible for review. If they did not score at or above the required minimum or no longer have a copy of their old results, they must retake an English proficiency exam.

Minimum Scores:

• TOEFL – Internet-Based Exam: 100
• TOEFL – Paper-Based Exam: 600
• International English Language Testing System Academic: 7
• Pearson Test of English Academic: 68
• Duolingo English Test: 120 (75 on the exam taken prior to July 2019)

Please note that while applicants who received scores below the posted minimums may still apply, applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

Two letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are familiar with the applicant and the applicant’s work in an academic, professional or community service setting. Recommendations should directly address the applicant’s suitability for admission to the Obama Foundation Scholars program. Recommendations should not be written by family members or friends.

Deadline:

The Obama Foundation Scholars program is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 program until December 12, 2023