Internships

Internship Funding

Southwestern supports students’ investment of time in life-changing high impact experiences by offering the Funded Internship Program, which allows students to apply for funding support for unpaid and low-paying internships.

Students have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Funded Internship Program to help offset the costs of unpaid and low-paying internships. This program requires students to complete a rigorous application process managed by the Internship Office in the Center for Integrative Learning.

Funds for the Funded Internship Program are provided by generous philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends of the university, who give students the opportunity to complete high impact intellectual experiences while enrolled at Southwestern. 

The Opportunity

Students may receive up to a maximum of $5,000 during the summer semester. Amounts vary based on various factors, such as if the internship is unpaid or low-paying, internship length, and the number of hours worked during the semester. An internship experience is considered low-paying if payment is less than $15/hour. Students whose internship pays less than $15/hour are encouraged to apply for the Funded Internship Program.

Please note that students participating in the Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) and New York Arts Program (NYAP) may apply for funding through the Funded Internship Program during the fall and spring semesters. SU London Program students are eligible to apply during the fall semester. The maximum award amount during the fall and spring semesters is $1,500.

The Application Cycles

All students whose internship pays less than $15/hour may apply for funding for the summer semester. There are two application cycles for summer funding. Completed applications submitted by the deadline are evaluated by a committee of staff members from across campus who determine awards and allocate funding. 

Summer 2026 Application Dates

Cycle One:
  • Application Live: Monday, February 9
  • Application deadline: Friday, March 6
  • Student award notification: Monday, March 23
Cycle Two:
  • Application live: Tuesday, March 24
  • Application deadline: Wednesday, April 22
  • Student award notification: Wednesday, May 6

The Application

The application consists of three required essay questions that may be accessed in  Handshake’s Career Center Experiences section.  Students are strongly encouraged to give detailed responses tailored to each prompt.

Students are not required to have their internship secured before applying for funding. Students may apply for funding for multiple internships, so long as they have already applied directly to the opportunities and are waiting to hear back regarding an internship offer. 

Apply NOW by submitting an Experience in Handshake. Be sure to select Funded Internship Application for the Experience template. 

Please note: The application needs to be completed all at once, so it is advised that students review the essay questions in advance and draft their responses before sitting down to complete the form.

The essay questions:

  1. Describe your proposed internship experience & responsibilities, and relevant information about the host organization & mission. (100-400 words); Maximum 100 words per internship, if answering question for multiple possible internships.  
  2. How does an internship experience fit with your personal, academic, and career-related goals? Please specifically address how your internship fits your intended future career. Describe your future career-related, academic and personal goals and interests. Explain in detail how an internship opportunity will help you explore those interests and achieve those goals. Demonstrate that you have reflected on your motivations for participating in an internship and how it fits into your career journey. (100-400 words); Maximum 100 words per internship, if answering question for multiple possible internships.
  3. How will you apply skills and knowledge gained through your coursework as well as co-curricular activities to your internship? All students have gained experiences INSIDE and OUTSIDE the classroom, which have provided valuable knowledge and skills - consider leadership, volunteer, and/or professional experiences. Reflect on the skills and knowledge you have acquired through your coursework that will be relevant to an internship. Also, reflect on skills and knowledge you have gained from co-curricular (leadership, volunteer, and/or professional experiences) activities. Then, MAKE CONNECTIONS: demonstrate in detail how your skills and knowledge will be useful and relevant in your internship. (100-400 words); Maximum 100 words per internship, if answering question for multiple possible internships.
  4. Is there any additional information you want to share with the committee? (optional question)

For clarification on the application scoring process, please reference the rubric here. 

Funded Internship Information Sessions

Funded Internship Information Sessions are held each semester. It is advised that students attend at least one info session before applying, but it is not required. The information session lasts approximately 1-hour and covers the nuts and bolts of the funded internship program, tips on writing a successful application, as well as information about academic internships.

For additional guidance on your application, please schedule an appointment with the Debby Ellis Writing Center. The Writing Consultants are trained to assist students with their Funded Internship applications. Please make an appointment here. 

2025-2026 Information Sessions (All sessions are located in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) Career Cafe, Prothro #140): CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • Wednesday, September 10, 12:30 pm
  • Thursday, October 9, 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday, November 12, 12:30 pm
  • Monday, December 1, 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday, January 27, 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday, February 18, 12:30 pm
  • Thursday, March 12, 4:00 pm
  • Monday, April 13, 4:00 pm
  • Monday, May 4, 4:00 pm

Summer 2026 Funding Deadlines: Friday, March 6 and Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Have any other questions about the Funded Internship Program? Contact the Internship Programs in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) or make an appointment here!

International Internships

Students may receive funding through the Funded Internship Program if they are participating in an international internship that is offered as an approved internship abroad program. Students apply for programs through Via and must be approved by the Office of Study Abroad and International Student Services. 

International Students and Work Authorization

International students on an F-1 visa must obtain the proper work authorization, either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), and be enrolled in corresponding academic internship credit before beginning any off-campus activity—including paid or unpaid internships, shadowing, or research.

For eligibility into Southwestern University’s Funded Internship Program, students must have approved CPT, be enrolled in an academic internship course, and complete the experience within the United States. Students must consult the Office of International Student Services (ISS) for guidance throughout this required process.