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Apply to Fund your Impact Internship

How to Apply

All materials must be submitted through Handshake. Applications for Summer 2023 will open in the winter. 

  • Application including:
    • Short Essay Questions – describing the nature and scope of the internship, the learning outcomes and how it will impact the applicant’s educational/career goals.
    • Resume – prior accomplishments of the applicant will be evaluated via the resume. The applicant is highly encouraged to seek guidance in effective resume writing from the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration.
    • Employer/Supervisor Verification Form – Download Employer Verification Form- Impact Internship
    • Budget– Download the Impact Internship Budget Form.

The Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration’s Impact Internship Grant is designed to assist undergraduate students in meeting the financial obligations of an unpaid or low stipend internship while developing necessary professional experiences. As guided by the vision of the University of Tennessee, highest consideration will be given to students completing internships that create value, original ideas and ethical leadership through economic, social, and environmental development in local and global communities. Students participating in internships associated with the following areas are highly encouraged to apply:

  • Civic engagement and public policy (does not cover Congressional Internships – See Evaluation of Applications and Funding decision section)
  • Economic impact and business development
  • Community and international development
  • Education access and achievement
  • Health access and awareness
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Energy and clean technology

The scholarship committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students will select recipients based on specific criteria indicated below through a competitive selection process. Funds will be distributed to the recipients during the fall or spring semesters.


Impact Internship Eligibility

  1. Applicant must have secured an internship position for summer 2023 at the time of application (employer/supervisor verification is required).
  2. Applicant must be a degree seeking undergraduate student at the time of application and during the award period. (Summer enrollment not required.)
  3. Applicant must have completed 30 credit hours of coursework by the time the internship commences.
  4. Applicant must have a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA at the time of application and during the award period.

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete and submit application in Handshake by the application deadline of April 29th, 2023. You will upload an electronic copy of your resume, an employer verification form, budget form, and short essays to supplement your application.
  2. When you log into Handshake, search for Impact Internship Grant.
  3. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Notification

The Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration will announce the scholarship recipients on a rolling basis, and recipients will be notified by email at their UT email address.

Basic Terms & Conditions for Recipients

  1. Recipient must meet with Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration staff member for short training and orientation prior to beginning the internship.
  2. Recipient may be called on to speak at the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration events, representing the scholarship program as well as the center.
  3. Recipient must complete a brief follow-up summary and submit on the job pictures for the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration. These pictures and summaries may be used in further publications.
  4. Recipient may be asked to participate on future scholarship committees.
  5. Recipient must complete the entire internship described in their application materials. Failure to complete the internship will be considered a material breach of the program requirements subjecting the student to forfeiture or repayment of the scholarship funds. Exceptions to the forfeiture/ repayment will be granted only in extreme and unusual circumstances as determined by the selection committee in its sole discretion.

EEO/AA Statement/Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.


Evaluation of Applications and Funding Decisions

Scholarship selection and funding amounts will be determined based on the following:

  • Quality of the application, resume, and short essays
  • Internship learning outcomes and alignment with the student’s academic and career goals
  • Applicant’s financial need, including any financial expenses relating to the internship

Additional internship requirements:

  • The fund does not typically cover formal placement programs requiring you pay to complete the program, unless the program is in a partnership with a department at the University of Tennessee; a written verification will be required from that department.
  • The internship is expected to be intensive. Priority and amount of funding will be impacted by intensity of the time commitment.
  • The scholarship is not intended for undergraduate summer research internships. For grants for research positions, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research.
  • The fund does not cover Congressional Internships. Funding for these opportunities is run through the Congressional Internship Program.
  • The scholarship is not intended for students who are required to complete a field placement as a mandatory component of their degree program; however, such students who may be completing a field placement/internship outside of their degree program may apply and be considered for the scholarship.

Applicants and/or internships who do not meet these criteria and/or any incomplete applications will not be considered.


Award

The award can range from $500 – $2,000. The amount may vary according to the funds available, the student’s needs, the financial obligations of the internship (including internship location), and the competitiveness of the student’s application. Awards will be made as a financial aid distribution during the spring semester.


Questions? Email us at career@utk.edu. 

Disclaimer

Please note, by submitting an application, you authorize the scholarship committee to conduct academic, disciplinary and financial aid checks to confirm program eligibility and inform funding decisions. Certain university policy violations may disqualify you from consideration for the internship scholarship.