To help offset the costs of summer internships, we provide a limited number of stipends to qualified 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 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
Qualifications
- Stipend applicants must be current undergraduate students returning full time for at least one undergraduate semester in the fall after their internship.
- 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.
- Internships must last a minimum of six weeks during the summer, full- or part-time.
- 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)
- Students working on political campaigns
- Students participating in a program they must pay to attend
- Students receiving funding for their summer experience from other WashU programs/departments
- 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).
Recipient information
- 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.
How to apply
Applications open January 1. Application deadlines are March 1, April 1 and May 1. Decisions will be made by April 1 and May 1, and June 1 at the latest.
Applications after the May deadline will not be considered. Students who have received verbal offers but are waiting on official confirmation may still apply (proof of offer will need to be emailed to the Center for Career Engagement by May 1).
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.
Application procedure
Required application components include:
- Resume
- Internship details
- Job description
- Breakdown of estimated expenses directly related to internship
- Short essay
- Proof of offer
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.