Internship Stipend

Cooke Scholars are invited to apply for a one-time summer internship stipend to pursue an unpaid summer internship at a U.S.-based non-profit or government organization. Summer Internships provide a wonderful opportunity to network, try out potential career paths, and gain valuable work experience.

The application for the Cooke Internship Stipend is now open. The program supports Cooke Scholars pursuing unpaid summer internships with nonprofit and government organizations.

 

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Internship Stipend Information

Deadlines and Application Information
How to Find an Internship
Timeline
Final Report and Supervisor Completion Form

Scholars will have two opportunities to apply for the stipend:

  • March 22, 2023 deadline by 5:00 p.m. ET: Submit for notification by April 7
  • May 10 deadline by 5:00 p.m. ET: Submit for notification by May 26

Scholars who apply by the first deadline will have an opportunity to receive feedback, edit, and resubmit their applications for consideration in the second round if not initially selected.

Each year we receive an increased number of quality applications and the process is selective. To help you better prepare your application, please consider the following:

  • Relevance to Major/Career: We are looking for well thought out applications with internships that align with academic and career goals.
  • Depth of Proposed Experience and Goal Setting: Whether the internship is meant as a deeper pursuit of a previous similar internship or as an exploratory experience to help you narrow down your interests and goals, you should provide a thoughtful reflection of why you chose that particular internship.
  • Evaluation and Evidence of Support: We are looking for clear descriptions of probable tasks and projects you have identified with your supervisor. Please do your best to accurately reflect what you will be working on for the summer; we do recognize that actual projects are likely to change slightly as you begin the internship and we will not penalize you for those changes.
  • Scholar Standing: You must be in good academic standing with the Foundation. In addition, preference is given to those who have not received an internship stipend before.

Scholars are responsible for obtaining their own internships. Please visit your institution’s career center website or office for a list of internship opportunities. Keep an eye on Cooke Connect, the Cooke Scholars & Alumni group on LinkedIn, and the Higher Ed High Five biweekly newsletter for additional opportunities. Feel free to peruse this list of organizations where Cooke Scholars who received the Internship Stipend have interned in the recent past.

Tips for Securing an Internship

  • Identify why you want to apply for an internship
  • Explore fields of interest, careers, or organizations where you might intern
  • Consider application deadlines, compensation, length of the internship, location, and available academic credit for the program
  • Create or update your resume and cover letter, and strengthen your professional writing skills (Click here for Six Tips for Resume Writing)
  • Practice interviewing and gather references, recommendations, and transcripts

The “Steps to Finding Internships” download provides more detail for each suggestion.

 

 Steps to Finding Internships
January-May 2023
Start thinking about what kind of internship experience interests you. Consider your short-term goals and your career objectives and seek opportunities that provide you the experiences and responsibilities you seek.
Create or update your resume.
Use your resources to find internship opportunities. Keep in mind that companies and organizations are constantly posting new internship opportunities, so you should continue to check databases and other postings regularly.
Resources include: The Cooke Scholars and Alumni LinkedIn group, Cooke Connect, your college or university’s career center, career fairs offered at your university or in your city, databases, job/internship postings on online news publications, websites for companies or organizations you would like to work for, and professors who may know about opportunities in your area of interest.
Apply for internships.
Follow through with applications through phone calls and emails to internship contacts.
Complete an interview with internship site(s) by phone or in person; use existing resources (e.g., your career center, mentors, friends) to prepare and practice.
Select internship site and let the supervisor know that he or she will receive an email with further instructions about completing the supervisor portion of the application to meet the May 10, 2023 deadline.
February-May 10, 2023
Access and complete the internship application online. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so you may submit your application at any point through May 10, 2023, when it closes. There will be two cycles of review and notification. If you apply before the first deadline (March 22), and your application is not selected in that cycle, you will receive feedback and have the opportunity to resubmit a revised application for review during the second cycle. The first round deadline is March 22 with notification by April 7, and the second deadline is May 10 with notification by May 26.
The Foundation will send out an email confirming receipt of the online application, so be sure to include your correct email address on the application.
All applicants will be notified via email. Included in the email will be any relevant materials regarding payment and other requirements.
June 2023
Stipend payments will be sent by the first week of June.
Late May-August 2023
Intern at your chosen organization and let us know of any changes in your hours or supervision.
August-September 2023
Required evaluations and internship reports are due two weeks after the end of the internship or no later than September 14, 2023. Please note that these completed documents must be submitted or you may be required to repay the stipend.

Each internship stipend recipient must complete a Final Report about their internship and submit a Supervisor Completion Form. Both forms are due on September 14, 2023.

 

Internship Stipend Information

Deadlines and Application Information

Scholars will have two opportunities to apply for the stipend:

  • March 22, 2023 deadline by 5:00 p.m. ET: Submit for notification by April 7
  • May 10 deadline by 5:00 p.m. ET: Submit for notification by May 26

Scholars who apply by the first deadline will have an opportunity to receive feedback, edit, and resubmit their applications for consideration in the second round if not initially selected.

Each year we receive an increased number of quality applications and the process is selective. To help you better prepare your application, please consider the following:

  • Relevance to Major/Career: We are looking for well thought out applications with internships that align with academic and career goals.
  • Depth of Proposed Experience and Goal Setting: Whether the internship is meant as a deeper pursuit of a previous similar internship or as an exploratory experience to help you narrow down your interests and goals, you should provide a thoughtful reflection of why you chose that particular internship.
  • Evaluation and Evidence of Support: We are looking for clear descriptions of probable tasks and projects you have identified with your supervisor. Please do your best to accurately reflect what you will be working on for the summer; we do recognize that actual projects are likely to change slightly as you begin the internship and we will not penalize you for those changes.
  • Scholar Standing: You must be in good academic standing with the Foundation. In addition, preference is given to those who have not received an internship stipend before.

How to Find an Internship

Scholars are responsible for obtaining their own internships. Please visit your institution’s career center website or office for a list of internship opportunities. Keep an eye on Cooke Connect, the Cooke Scholars & Alumni group on LinkedIn, and the Higher Ed High Five biweekly newsletter for additional opportunities. Feel free to peruse this list of organizations where Cooke Scholars who received the Internship Stipend have interned in the recent past.

Tips for Securing an Internship

  • Identify why you want to apply for an internship
  • Explore fields of interest, careers, or organizations where you might intern
  • Consider application deadlines, compensation, length of the internship, location, and available academic credit for the program
  • Create or update your resume and cover letter, and strengthen your professional writing skills (Click here for Six Tips for Resume Writing)
  • Practice interviewing and gather references, recommendations, and transcripts

The “Steps to Finding Internships” download provides more detail for each suggestion.

 

 Steps to Finding Internships
Timeline
January-May 2023
Start thinking about what kind of internship experience interests you. Consider your short-term goals and your career objectives and seek opportunities that provide you the experiences and responsibilities you seek.
Create or update your resume.
Use your resources to find internship opportunities. Keep in mind that companies and organizations are constantly posting new internship opportunities, so you should continue to check databases and other postings regularly.
Resources include: The Cooke Scholars and Alumni LinkedIn group, Cooke Connect, your college or university’s career center, career fairs offered at your university or in your city, databases, job/internship postings on online news publications, websites for companies or organizations you would like to work for, and professors who may know about opportunities in your area of interest.
Apply for internships.
Follow through with applications through phone calls and emails to internship contacts.
Complete an interview with internship site(s) by phone or in person; use existing resources (e.g., your career center, mentors, friends) to prepare and practice.
Select internship site and let the supervisor know that he or she will receive an email with further instructions about completing the supervisor portion of the application to meet the May 10, 2023 deadline.
February-May 10, 2023
Access and complete the internship application online. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so you may submit your application at any point through May 10, 2023, when it closes. There will be two cycles of review and notification. If you apply before the first deadline (March 22), and your application is not selected in that cycle, you will receive feedback and have the opportunity to resubmit a revised application for review during the second cycle. The first round deadline is March 22 with notification by April 7, and the second deadline is May 10 with notification by May 26.
The Foundation will send out an email confirming receipt of the online application, so be sure to include your correct email address on the application.
All applicants will be notified via email. Included in the email will be any relevant materials regarding payment and other requirements.
June 2023
Stipend payments will be sent by the first week of June.
Late May-August 2023
Intern at your chosen organization and let us know of any changes in your hours or supervision.
August-September 2023
Required evaluations and internship reports are due two weeks after the end of the internship or no later than September 14, 2023. Please note that these completed documents must be submitted or you may be required to repay the stipend.
Final Report and Supervisor Completion Form

Each internship stipend recipient must complete a Final Report about their internship and submit a Supervisor Completion Form. Both forms are due on September 14, 2023.

 

Internship Stipend Amounts

Cooke Scholarship Program Required Number of Hours Internship Stipend Amount
Young Scholars transitioning to College Scholars 320+ $4,000
College Scholars 320+ $6,000
Undergraduate Transfer Scholars 320+ $6,000
Graduate Scholars 320+ $6,000

 

*Cooke Scholars who are beginning their first scholarship with the Cooke Foundation in fall 2023 will not be eligible for the Internship Stipend until summer 2024.

Guidelines and Forms

Helpful Guidelines

 Internship Stipend Guidelines for Undergraduate and Graduate Scholars
Steps to Finding Internships
Internship Stipend Guidelines For Graduating Young Scholars

Additional Resources

 Previous Summer Internship Organizations
Graduate Scholarship and Fellowship Resources

FAQs

Am I eligible for the stipend if I am receiving credit from my college or university for the internship?

Internship stipends are reserved for Scholars who are not receiving college credit for their internships.

Are international Scholars eligible to apply?

While the Cooke Foundation does not have any limitations for international Scholars, there could be other limitations imposed by your international status. The international advisor on your campus may be...
View More FAQs

Contact Us

Email
Undergraduate Scholarship Programs: scholars@jkcf.org

Graduate Scholarship: gradscholars@jkcf.org

Award, bill, payment, or other finance inquiries: finances@jkcf.org

Phone
Toll-free: 800-846-9025
Receptionist: 571-799-8000

Fax
Main fax: 703-723-8030
Finance fax: 571-209-1775