Will you be participating in an unpaid internship this summer or a paid internship that won’t cover your expenses? Apply for funding for your summer experience through the VCU Internship Funding Program! Don’t let your funding needs keep you from taking advantage of personal and professional development opportunities.
Funding will be awarded as a direct deposit and can be used to supplement costs for initial travel to your internship, housing, childcare, professional attire, supplies, and more!
Summer 2026 applications close Tuesday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Complete and eligible student applications will undergo a competitive selection process that includes multiple rounds of review by a committee of approximately 40 faculty and staff from both campuses. Funding is not guaranteed to all applicants, but we hope to support as many students as possible. We will notify awardees by mid-to-late April and expect funding to be dispersed by mid-May.
Eligible students must:
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Be a current VCU undergraduate or student enrolled in an accelerated Master’s program who is not a previous IFP awardee, graduating senior, or alumnus.
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Plan to enroll for at least one semester (fall 2026) after your funded internship in a VCU undergraduate program or be a continuing student in an accelerated (5-year) Master’s program at VCU.
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Must be enrolled in spring 2026 classes and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
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Applicants may not have any financial holds on their accounts.
Eligible internship experiences must:
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Working for an off-campus employer. (VCU Health is an off-campus employer)
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Be supervised by a professional staff member within the employer organization.
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Be unpaid or underpaid based on applicable expenses outlined in the budget worksheet.
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Be during the summer 2026 semester, 10 hours a week, and at least four weeks long.
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Show examples of direct contribution(s) to the organization through projects or another tangible artifact.
Complete the General Application and then search under Opportunities>All for Internship Funding Program in the RAMS Scholarship Hub to submit your application by Tuesday, March 31. at 11:59 p.m.
Here are some helpful resources as you apply!
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Check out our VCU Internship Funding Program information session and our program website.
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Read our FAQs, including reviewing the essay questions and the committee’s review rubric.
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Meet with The Writing Center to assist you with your application. For questions or concerns outside of those hours, please email writingctr1@vcu.edu, but be aware that appointments can only be scheduled through Navigate.
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Meet with the VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union to assist you with your budget worksheet and all personal finance-related questions as you consider summer internship opportunities. Schedule an appointment with a peer financial coach to discuss budget and cash flow planning, creating savings goals, and get personalized assistance filling out your budget worksheet.
Questions? Visit the VCU Internship Funding Program website, including the FAQ document at the bottom of the page, or email the program administrator, Jeanette Hickl, at jwhickl@vcu.edu. Questions will be answered Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also visit us during drop-in hours for general questions at the University Student Commons, Suite 143.
