This stipend program is to help offset the costs of unpaid summer internships. The Center for Career Engagement provides a limited number of stipends to qualified undergraduate students.
Undergraduate students can apply for a merit award, up to $1,000, or a need-based award, up to $3,000. Award amounts are determined by several factors including, but not limited to:
- Number of weeks working
- Hours per week
- Location
- Budget and financial need
Financial Need Status
Financial need status is determined by Student Financial Services.
Explore this guide to learn more about this opportunity:
- Qualifications
- Recipient information
- How to apply
- Application procedure
- Financial aid and tax implications
- Stipend applicants must be current undergraduate students returning full-time for at least one undergraduate semester in the fall after their internship.
- Be in good academic standing (students on suspension, leave of absence, or gap year do not qualify)
- Internships must consist of a minimum of 120 total hours between May and August. (Examples include 12 hours a week for 10 weeks, 15 hours a week for 8 weeks or 20 hours a week for 6 weeks)
- Organization may not be owned or run by you or a relative
- Applicants must have secured offers. Internships must be unpaid or low-paying.
- Low-paying internship support will only be considered for students with demonstrated financial need through the university.
- Students must also document a cost of living financial need exceeding that of internship wages.
- If the internship takes place abroad, students must comply with the University’s International Travel Policy.
The following are not eligible to receive a stipend:
- Paid experiences: (possible exception for need-based applicants)
- Political campaigns: Students working on political campaigns, including any official party work
- Fees for placement: Students participating in a program they must pay to attend
- Receiving other WashU funding for the same opportunity: Students receiving funding for their summer experience from other WashU programs/departments
- WashU opportunities: Students interning or performing research for a WashU or WashU School of Medicine Department (students may apply for an award with the Office of Undergraduate Research); opportunities at WashU do not qualify for this stipend. This program is to help you explore career opportunities outside of WashU and begin to build your professional network
- Student-founded start-ups: Students may connect with Skandalaris Center
- Stipend recipients must attend a stipend pre-departure meeting before leaving for the summer. Details will be emailed to all recipients.
- Students will be required to submit a thank you note to program donors.
- Summer plans must be reported by May 31.
- Stipend recipients will be required to fill out a post-evaluation survey
- Applications open Mid-February .
- Application deadline #1: April 1 at 11:59 PM CST. Students will be notified of decisions by May 1.
- Application deadline #2: May 1 at 11:59 PM CST. Students will be notified of decisions by May 31.
- Applications after the May 1 deadline will not be considered.
The Center for Career Engagement utilizes a centralized application system to review all requests. Applications will be reviewed by a committee, and selected recipients receive awards through one of the available program funds.
For further questions, please contact careers@wustl.edu.
- Resume
- Internship Details
- Job Description
- Breakdown of estimated expenses directly related to internship
- Short Essay
- Offer Letter that reflects internship is unpaid or low-paid
These resources to help you calculate the costs associated with the internship:
*Please save your application as a word document before submitting the online application in case there are technical issues.
Financial aid and tax implications
Stipends are intended to help cover cost of living expenses associated with a summer internship. There may be financial aid and/or tax implications for awards. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for questions related to financial aid. See details on tax implications.
Interested in Outcomes information and Student Spotlights?
For further questions, please contact careers@wustl.edu.