2023-2024 Academic Year Internship Funding

Students should apply for funding at least two weeks before the internship starts. Applications will be approved on a rolling basis and will be evaluated on the basis of merit and financial need. Funded students will be required to work with the Career Center to establish learning goals and participate in reflection activities during and after the internship.

We will award up to $2,000 to help students to defray the associated expenses of undertaking an unpaid or underpaid internship, such as travel to the internship site, daily transport, and housing. Please note that students are not eligible for funding beyond expenses; no savings goal will be awarded to non-summer applications. 

Student Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled first-years, sophomores, juniors or seniors who plan to return to Carleton for coursework following the internship experience.
  • Students on official leave of absence (such as the required one-term leave of absence due to participating in a summer OCS program). 
  • Students who have already received an internship offer.

Funding Application Components

Preview the application form, including the short-answer prompts. The following materials are required for the application:

  • Internship Host Confirmation Form
  • Budget Form (budgeting resources)
  • Résumé (résumé guide)
  • Essay response (can be up to 2 pages long, single-spaced; 1-inch margins)
    • Please tell us about your internship organization and what you expect to be doing in your internship (including daily tasks and/or long-term projects).
    • What motivated and/or inspired you to do this internship?
    • What skills do you hope to learn?
    • How does this internship relate to your academic pursuits, interests, and/or post-Carleton plans?

Apply for funding

Summer 2024 Internship Funding

Carleton is committed to providing funding to support unpaid and underpaid internships so that every Carl has the opportunity to have a high-impact internship experience. Carleton offers funding to support the cost of living and travel expenses, plus additional support in some cases.

Student Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled first-years, sophomores, or juniors who will return to Carleton and enroll in courses for the next academic year (e.g. 2024-2025)
  • Graduating seniors selected for the Social Justice Internships administered by the Chaplain’s Office are eligible to apply for funding
  • International students are welcome to apply
  • Good standing with the college (academic and conduct)
  • Has secured an internship offer
  • Has not/will not receive an additional substantial award from Carleton that goes beyond the budgeted expenses
  • Students may not apply for funding for more than one internship (at different sites) to be done in the same time period.

Internship Site Criteria

  • Internship is at least six weeks in length and provides at least 240 hours of professional experience
  • Unpaid or underpaid*
    • *Underpaid definition: the estimated cost of living expenses during the internship exceeds the financial support (wages, salary, stipend) a student receives from an internship site.
  • Benefits both the student and the internship provider
  • Involves a high level of direct supervision, training, mentoring, and feedback
  • Has clearly-defined and attainable learning goals set by the student

Internships that may not qualify:

  • Research based on Carleton’s campus or done exclusively with Carleton faculty to support their academic research
  • Institutional research or an independent project intended for use only at and by Carleton employees and/or students, such as a comps project
  • Internships with organizations owned or operated by immediate family members or current undergraduate students
  • Internship or programs that incur significant costs for tuition and other fees

Application Process

Preview the application form, including the short-answer prompts. The following materials are required for the application:

Applications missing any materials will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until all materials have been submitted. 

Funding Application Due Dates

Applications are only reviewed after the deadline listed below. Any applications submitted after the final due date may not be considered. All times listed are Central time zone.

  • March 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • March 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • April 28, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • May 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Applicants will be notified of their decision within three weeks after the deadline listed. Applications from students without financial need will be held for review in the following application cycle.

Decision Process

STEP ONE. Eligibility Review. All funding applications undergo a review process to determine if both the applicant and internship opportunity meet the eligibility and criteria. Financial need will be taken into consideration and applicants with demonstrated financial need will be prioritized. Applicants will be notified if their application is withdrawn due to being ineligible.

STEP TWO. Experience Review. Every eligible application is reviewed for clarity and inclusion of the following:

  • Articulation of what specific learning the applicant is hoping to receive from the experience
  • Rationale as to why the experience is critical to the applicant’s career development
  • Explanation of how the award will impact the student’s ability to participate in the experience

STEP THREE. Fund Matching. The money used for the Career Center’s internship funding comes from endowed funds established by donors who have outlined guidelines and preferences on what types of internships their funds can support. Once approved for funding, internships and applicants are matched to available funds. 

Requirements and Expectations for Funded Students

As a condition of receiving funding, students will be enrolled in the internship reflection and career readiness program. The program requires participants to complete the following, including but not limited to:

  • Orientation
  • Learning plan
  • Weekly reflection blog
  • Feedback conversations with your supervisor
  • Final reflection essay
  • Culminating poster or presentation to be shared with the campus community
  • Recipients of CCCE, Chaplain’s Office, and MCAN Fellows Program funding may be asked to participate in additional activities.

Funding recipients must comply with all set deadlines and requirements. Students who do not fulfill their requirements will be charged up to $500 in the subsequent term of enrollment.

Funding Amounts and Payment

Students who are awarded funding can receive up to $5,200 for the summer. 

  • Because we recognize that students are often expected to save money over the summer, students who receive need-based financial aid at Carleton may include an amount of up to $1,000 toward that savings goal. The awarding of a savings goal will be dependent on the overall proposed budget and funds available.
  • Please note that your budget will be reviewed and scrutinized for clarity. Equity across applications will guide decisions related to award amounts.
  • Students will receive their funding award in one payment up to thirty (30) days after accepting the award. Payments will be processed through student accounts on file with the Business Office.

Recipients who are nonresidents for U.S. tax purposes are required to report the fellowship as income in the year the fellowship is received. The College may withhold a 14% federal income tax that reduces the amount of your payment and will be issuing tax form 1042-S. If you are eligible for tax treaty benefits, there will be no federal tax withholding and form 1042-S will be issued noting the exemption. It is your responsibility to report the payment on your annual tax returns; both Federal and State, and pay any additional taxes, if applicable. 

Housing Resources

Summer Internship Housing at Carleton: If you would like to live on campus during the summer as you intern, Residential Life does offer housing on campus to Carleton students in the summer for a fee. Check with Residential Life for application information.

Internship Housing Beyond Carleton