Some organizations, such as many in the not-for-profit sector, are only able to offer unpaid experiential opportunities to students. This is a fiscal reality, and students with career interests relevant to these organizations are encouraged to consider these options to determine if an unpaid internship is financially feasible and professionally valuable. Unpaid internships in for-profit organizations, however, are subject to scrutiny by the Department of Labor. When participating in an unpaid internship with a for-profit organization, students are encouraged to review the Fair Labor Standards Act on Internships and the NACE New Guidelines for Internships: The Unpaid Intern Test. For additional information regarding this Act and how it impacts you as a student, please contact the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration.

There are some funding resources to assist students to offset cost associated with completing necessarily unpaid or low stipend internships and fellowships.