The Occidental College Barack Obama Scholars Program is a highly selective scholarship program that provides full tuition, room, and board to a small group of incoming first-year students at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. The program is named in honor of President Barack Obama, who spent his first two years of undergraduate study at Occidental College before transferring to Columbia University.
The Barack Obama Scholars Program seeks to identify and support exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic excellence, and a commitment to social justice. The program is designed to provide students with opportunities for intellectual growth, leadership development, and community engagement.
Finalists for the scholarship program are invited to participate in a weekend-long interview process at Occidental College, where they are evaluated based on their leadership skills, academic potential, and personal values. The final selection of scholars is made by a committee of faculty, staff, and alumni.