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 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.
- 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
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 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.
Application procedure
Required application components include:
- 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.