• We're excited you're applying to Chaalo.
    Please read through the requirements and process below carefully.
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    Eligibility Requirements
    To apply, you must meet all of the following:

    • Be at least 18 years old
    • Be a U.S. citizen
    • Have never held a U.S. passport
    • Be willing to reflect on your own cultural identity, challenge your assumptions about other cultures, and engage with perspectives different from your own

    Application Deadline
    Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on December 13, 2026. Please note that all applications are considered final once submitted, so take your time to make sure everything is complete and accurate.

    Selection Process
    Our Selection Committee reviews your application blindly. They won't see your name, demographic information, or financial information, and they won't do any outside research. They focus only on your essay responses. Semi-finalists will be asked to participate in an interview during the week of January 4, 2027.

    Decisions
    We'll be selecting up to 8 participants and will notify all applicants of our decisions on January 15, 2027. 

  • ELIGIBILITY CHECK

    Before you start the application let's confirm that you are eligible.
  • Are you at least 18 years old?*
  • Are you a U.S. Citizen?*
  • Have you ever held a U.S. passport?*

  • APPLICANT INFORMATION

  • Pronouns*
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • How did you find out about Chaalo?*

  • DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

    The following questions are collected to help Chaalo better understand the demographics of its applicants. This information will not be used to evaluate your application.
  • Please select all race(s) and ethnicity(ies) that apply*
  • Please select all gender identities that apply*
  • Do you identify as a person with a disability or long-term health condition?*
  • What is your military service status?*
  • Please select your current employment status.
  • Please select your highest level of education completed.*
  • If you're a college student or graduate, are you first-generation, meaning your parents did not earn a four-year college degree?*
  • Were you and/or your parents born outside the United States?*

  • FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The following information helps us better understand your financial circumstances. All information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluating and confirming financial need.
  • Do you file your own taxes?*

  • PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    This section is about your ability to afford the program.
  • Do you currently receive any of the following social benefits? Select all that apply.*
  • Do you have any of the following financial obligations? Select all that apply.*
  • If you are a college student, are you a Pell Grant recipient?*
  • If an unexpected $500 expense came up this month, could you cover it without borrowing money or asking for help?*
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  • HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    This section is about your household's ability to afford the program.
  • Does the household claiming you on their taxes provide financial support for your personal expenses (phone, transportation, clothing, etc.)?*
  • If you are a college student, are you a Pell Grant recipient?*
  • Does the household receive any of the following? Select all that apply.*
  • Does the household have any of the following financial obligations? Select all that apply.*
  • If an unexpected $500 expense came up this month, could the household cover it without borrowing money or asking for help?*
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    Choose a file
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  • YOUR STORY & PERSPECTIVE

    These questions are about you — your real thoughts, not researched answers. Please don't look things up or use AI to help. There are no wrong answers here. It's completely okay to have assumptions or biases about things you've never experienced; that's exactly why we're asking. We are looking for participants who are willing to reflect on their own cultural identity, challenge their assumptions about other cultures, and engage with perspectives different from their own.
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  • SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

  • We can't wait to read your application!
    Please confirm the following before you submit.

  • I confirm that*

  • By checking these boxes, I confirm that everything in this application is true and accurate.

  •  

    Thank you for your interest in Chaalo. Unfortunately, based on your answers, you are not eligible for this program at this time. If you have any questions in regard to your eligibility, please contact Zaneeta Daver at zaneeta@chaalo.org.

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