Student Affairs Internship Grants

Student Affairs Internship Grants are awarded in the spring of each academic year and are intended to provide funds that support students who have secured unpaid public service internships. Previous grant recipients who are eligible and meet the application requirements are encouraged to apply for grants again. Recipients are based on two primary criteria: (1) the quality of the applicant's application, resume and essays, and (2) the degree to which the internship supports any of the six areas of public concern:

Civic Engagement and Public Policy
Economic and Business Development
Education, both K-12 and Lifelong Learning
Environment, both planned and natural
Health
Sustainability

Continue reading below to learn more.

Application Process

Application Dates

Program application has passed for summer 2024.

Eligibility

Preference is given to rising 3rd and 4th-years, but outstanding rising 2nd year applications will be considered and all are encouraged to apply. Students must have secured an internship in order to apply.  The following are required components of the internship:

30-40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks
Enrollment at UVA at least one semester after the end of the internship
Completion of an online journal throughout the internship
Written evaluation of the completed internship highlighting accomplishments, personal growth, and impact of the internship on future career considerations (part of final journal entry)

Please note if you are applying for additional sources of funding, only one grant may be accepted. SAIGs cannot be combined with any other funding.

This grant program applies to unpaid internships only - not summer research positions or formal placement programs requiring you to pay to complete the internship. Information about grants for research positions can be found at either the Office of Undergraduate Research or the Office of Citizen Scholar Development. Previous grant recipients meeting the application requirements are encouraged to apply for grants again. However, if you are returning to the same internship site, your application should indicate how this experience will be different from your previous internship and how you will further enhance yourself and/or the organization by a second internship experience.

Selection Criteria

A University faculty and staff selection committee will award Student Affairs Internship Grants recipients based on two primary criteria: (1) the quality of the applicant’s application, resume and essays; and (2) the degree to which the internship supports any of the six areas of public concern as defined by the Virginia 2020 Commission:

Civic Engagement and Public Policy

Economic and Business Development
Education, both K-12 and Lifelong Learning
Environment, both planned and natural
Health
Sustainability

The University of Virginia is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. To fulfill this commitment, the University administers its programs, procedures and practices without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information; and operates both affirmative action and equal opportunity programs, consistent with resolutions of the Board of Visitors and with federal and state requirements, including the Governor's Executive Order Number One (2014).

Required Application Materials

Resume

See our pages on Resumes to help you get started!

Personal Statement

Please prepare a personal statement (500 - 1000 words) that clearly answers the following questions:

Describe the specific internship you will participate in including duties or projects assigned to you and skills you hope to learn and use. How do these support your specified area of public service?
What led you to seek an internship in public service and how do you plan to contribute to public service in the future?
How do you perceive this internship experience will benefit you personally and professionally?
How do you believe the successful completion of this internship will contribute to your future career and/or academic plans?
Would you be able to accept this internship without funding?

Internship Information

Please provide the following information in a separate document:

Organization Name
Organization Point of Contact (Name/ Email Address/ Telephone Number)
Organization Address
Organization Website
Internship Title
Internship Details (Tasks, Projects, and/or Responsibilities)

Please note that if you are awarded a grant or scholarship, you will be asked to provide a letter confirming your internship offer signed by the internship supervisor.

Terms and Conditions

Student Affairs Internship Grant recipients 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 requirement will be granted only in extreme and unusual circumstances as determined by the selection committee in its sole discretion. These funds are awarded for the internship described in your Student Affairs Internship Grants application and may not be transferred to any other internship.

Statement of Affirmation

On my honor as a student at the University of Virginia, I hereby certify that I will provide accurate information on this application. I understand that UVA faculty and staff, in considering me for an award, will review my application and supporting documents. I hereby authorize and consent to that review. If awarded, I understand that I must work with the Career Center to maintain an online journal of my experiences. I understand that I must complete the internship described in this application if I am awarded and accept the grant, or face forfeiture/repayment of any funds received.

Advising

You may receive individual assistance from a career advisor in reviewing your application or learning about internship resources in general. Appointments can be scheduled online in Handshake or contact the University of Virginia Career Center at (434) 924-8900 to schedule.

Schedule an Appointment