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 closed. It will reopen in February to support Scholars pursuing unpaid internships with nonprofit and government organizations during Summer 2024.
Internship Stipend 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.
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.
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
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.
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
Additional Resources
FAQs
Am I eligible for the stipend if I am receiving credit from my college or university for the internship?
Are international Scholars eligible to apply?
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