Internship Stipend
Cooke College Scholars and Cooke Transfer Scholars are invited to apply for a one-time stipend of $6,000 to pursue an unpaid summer internship at a non-profit organization in 2020.
Internship Stipend Information
UPDATE– REDUCED HOUR REQUIREMENTS!
Due to the current state of affairs, the Foundation is allowing reduced internship hours for a prorated stipend amount. Here are the adjusted tiers:
| Internship Hours | Incoming CS Stipend | CS/UT stipend |
| 50% (160 – 239 hours) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 75% (240 – 319 hours) | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| 100% (320+ hours) | $4,000 | $6,000 |
You must denote the number of hours on your stipend application. The Foundation is unable to retroactively adjust payments once the internship has started. Please note that this is an exceptional change to our process just for summer 2020.
The application has a rolling deadline. Scholars will have two opportunities to apply for the stipend:
- April 8 Deadline (Early Decision): Submit for April 20 early notification
- May 13 Deadline (Regular Decision): Submit for May 27 regular notification
Applying early decision will allow you an opportunity to receive feedback, edit, and resubmit your application for consideration in the regular decision round if not initially selected.
For those interested in the Cooke National Council for Community and Education Partnerships Internship, 12Plus Internship, or the Karel Fellowship, note that the application processes and timelines are different from the Summer Internship Stipend.
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 experience 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 experience. - 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 and Facebook postings for opportunities.
Tips for Securing an Internship
- Identify why you want to do 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 (Guide here)
- 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 14th, 2020. Check back late summer for the forms links.
Internship Stipend Information
UPDATE– REDUCED HOUR REQUIREMENTS!
Due to the current state of affairs, the Foundation is allowing reduced internship hours for a prorated stipend amount. Here are the adjusted tiers:
| Internship Hours | Incoming CS Stipend | CS/UT stipend |
| 50% (160 – 239 hours) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 75% (240 – 319 hours) | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| 100% (320+ hours) | $4,000 | $6,000 |
You must denote the number of hours on your stipend application. The Foundation is unable to retroactively adjust payments once the internship has started. Please note that this is an exceptional change to our process just for summer 2020.
The application has a rolling deadline. Scholars will have two opportunities to apply for the stipend:
- April 8 Deadline (Early Decision): Submit for April 20 early notification
- May 13 Deadline (Regular Decision): Submit for May 27 regular notification
Applying early decision will allow you an opportunity to receive feedback, edit, and resubmit your application for consideration in the regular decision round if not initially selected.
For those interested in the Cooke National Council for Community and Education Partnerships Internship, 12Plus Internship, or the Karel Fellowship, note that the application processes and timelines are different from the Summer Internship Stipend.
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 experience 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 experience. - 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 and Facebook postings for opportunities.
Tips for Securing an Internship
- Identify why you want to do 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 (Guide here)
- 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 14th, 2020. Check back late summer for the forms links.
Additional Internship Opportunities
Cooke National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Internship
The Cooke NCCEP Internship is located at NCCEP’s national office in Washington, DC. NCCEP supports the federal GEAR UP college access and readiness program. This is a unique and privileged opportunity to work within a national organization that advances college access through advocacy, training, and research.
Deadline
The deadline for applying for this opportunity is March 27, 2020, with notification in April 2020.
Undergraduate scholars who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and are in good standing, are eligible to apply. Scholars who have already graduated or who will graduate in spring 2020 are ineligible.
How many internship positions are there for Cooke Scholars?
There are two internship positions available for Cooke Scholars through this opportunity.
Interested applicants should review the two internship descriptions provided and determine which track they are interested in and denote that on the application. Applicants will be reviewed on best fit for the duties and needs of the internship, including relevant experience and skills as well as scholar goals and aspirations.
Internship Details
The dates of the internship are flexible, but the selected intern must complete at least 320 hours with NCCEP between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020.
At the end of the internship, you must submit an internship report and an evaluation of the program. The $6,000 stipend is a cash award paid directly to the selected scholar the first week of June. Any travel, housing, or other expenses incurred for the internship must be budgeted out of the award by the recipient, as no additional funding will be provided. NCCEP offers ideas for affordable housing in the DC area for the duration of the internship.
Cooke Karel Fellowship
The Karel Fellowship is a eight-week summer program that encourages students to consider professional opportunities in the field of public interest communications (PIC). PIC is the development and implementation of science-based, strategic communication campaigns whose goal is to create social change. Fellows will intern in the communications department of a leading local, national, or international nonprofit in the Greater Washington D.C. area. In the past, Fellows have interned at Truth Initiative, Amnesty International, The World Wildlife Fund, and many more.
Deadline
Applications are due on February 10, 2020.
Any current undergraduate Cooke Scholar who will be a junior or senior during the 2020-2021 school year is eligible to apply. The Fellowship is not limited to communication majors. Cooke Scholars who are majoring in political science, public policy, marketing, education, nonprofit administration and related fields are also encouraged to apply.
How many Fellowship positions are there for Cooke Scholars?
There are four fellowship spots reserved for Cooke Scholars.
Internship Details
The program runs from June 8 – July 31, 2020.
Fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend (minus taxes), paid housing, and a travel stipend(amounts will vary depending on where Fellows are traveling from).
Upon completing the program, Fellows will join a growing network of Karel alum. As alumni, you’ll be asked to help with recruitment, attend events and mentor incoming Fellows, among other things. You’re expected and encouraged to stay involved!
In past years Fellows have also been offered the opportunity to attend and speak at frank during the spring following their summer Fellowship. frank is a national conference hosted at the University Florida that brings together professionals from across the social change spectrum to discuss fresh research, insights and news pertaining to the field of public interest communications.
All travel, lodging and food expenses related to frank are covered by the Fellowship.
Cooke 12Plus Internship
12PLUS is a college access nonprofit that partners with Philadelphia high schools to make sure that students graduate with a post-secondary plan and are present on campus the following fall.
The Cooke 12PLUS Intern will virtually work with 12Plus program staff in Philadelphia over the summer to:
- Support high school graduates finalize postsecondary education plans and enrollment
- Develop education programs that will be implemented throughout the academic year
- Support other summer programs and operations
- Due to the change of this position into avirtual role, the intern will now focus more on data analytics and organizational development work and less on direct 1:1 student work, although they will have a small cohort of students to mentor virtually.
This is a great opportunity for Cooke Scholars who are considering a career in education, nonprofits, and college access.
Deadline
The deadline for applying for this opportunity is April 10, 2020, with notification in late April 2020.
Internship Details
The dates of the internship are flexible, but the selected intern must virtually complete at least 320 hours with 12PLUS between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020.
At the end of the internship, you must submit an internship report and an evaluation of the program. The $6,000 stipend is a cash award paid directly to the selected scholar the first week of June. Any travel, housing, or other expenses incurred for the internship must be budgeted out of the award by the recipient, as no additional funding will be provided.
Additional Internship Opportunities
Cooke National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Internship
The Cooke NCCEP Internship is located at NCCEP’s national office in Washington, DC. NCCEP supports the federal GEAR UP college access and readiness program. This is a unique and privileged opportunity to work within a national organization that advances college access through advocacy, training, and research.
Deadline
The deadline for applying for this opportunity is March 27, 2020, with notification in April 2020.
Undergraduate scholars who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and are in good standing, are eligible to apply. Scholars who have already graduated or who will graduate in spring 2020 are ineligible.
How many internship positions are there for Cooke Scholars?
There are two internship positions available for Cooke Scholars through this opportunity.
Interested applicants should review the two internship descriptions provided and determine which track they are interested in and denote that on the application. Applicants will be reviewed on best fit for the duties and needs of the internship, including relevant experience and skills as well as scholar goals and aspirations.
Internship Details
The dates of the internship are flexible, but the selected intern must complete at least 320 hours with NCCEP between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020.
At the end of the internship, you must submit an internship report and an evaluation of the program. The $6,000 stipend is a cash award paid directly to the selected scholar the first week of June. Any travel, housing, or other expenses incurred for the internship must be budgeted out of the award by the recipient, as no additional funding will be provided. NCCEP offers ideas for affordable housing in the DC area for the duration of the internship.
Cooke Karel Fellowship
The Karel Fellowship is a eight-week summer program that encourages students to consider professional opportunities in the field of public interest communications (PIC). PIC is the development and implementation of science-based, strategic communication campaigns whose goal is to create social change. Fellows will intern in the communications department of a leading local, national, or international nonprofit in the Greater Washington D.C. area. In the past, Fellows have interned at Truth Initiative, Amnesty International, The World Wildlife Fund, and many more.
Deadline
Applications are due on February 10, 2020.
Any current undergraduate Cooke Scholar who will be a junior or senior during the 2020-2021 school year is eligible to apply. The Fellowship is not limited to communication majors. Cooke Scholars who are majoring in political science, public policy, marketing, education, nonprofit administration and related fields are also encouraged to apply.
How many Fellowship positions are there for Cooke Scholars?
There are four fellowship spots reserved for Cooke Scholars.
Internship Details
The program runs from June 8 – July 31, 2020.
Fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend (minus taxes), paid housing, and a travel stipend(amounts will vary depending on where Fellows are traveling from).
Upon completing the program, Fellows will join a growing network of Karel alum. As alumni, you’ll be asked to help with recruitment, attend events and mentor incoming Fellows, among other things. You’re expected and encouraged to stay involved!
In past years Fellows have also been offered the opportunity to attend and speak at frank during the spring following their summer Fellowship. frank is a national conference hosted at the University Florida that brings together professionals from across the social change spectrum to discuss fresh research, insights and news pertaining to the field of public interest communications.
All travel, lodging and food expenses related to frank are covered by the Fellowship.
Cooke 12Plus Internship
12PLUS is a college access nonprofit that partners with Philadelphia high schools to make sure that students graduate with a post-secondary plan and are present on campus the following fall.
The Cooke 12PLUS Intern will virtually work with 12Plus program staff in Philadelphia over the summer to:
- Support high school graduates finalize postsecondary education plans and enrollment
- Develop education programs that will be implemented throughout the academic year
- Support other summer programs and operations
- Due to the change of this position into avirtual role, the intern will now focus more on data analytics and organizational development work and less on direct 1:1 student work, although they will have a small cohort of students to mentor virtually.
This is a great opportunity for Cooke Scholars who are considering a career in education, nonprofits, and college access.
Deadline
The deadline for applying for this opportunity is April 10, 2020, with notification in late April 2020.
Internship Details
The dates of the internship are flexible, but the selected intern must virtually complete at least 320 hours with 12PLUS between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020.
At the end of the internship, you must submit an internship report and an evaluation of the program. The $6,000 stipend is a cash award paid directly to the selected scholar the first week of June. Any travel, housing, or other expenses incurred for the internship must be budgeted out of the award by the recipient, as no additional funding will be provided.
Guidelines and Forms
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
College Scholarship Program: collegescholars@jkcf.org
Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: undergradscholars@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