Internship Stipend Program

The Step Forward Scholarship Fund, Inc. Internship Stipend Program is designed to encourage and support strong students who are interested in pursuing internships as a part of their degree program. Students can apply for a stipend of up to $4,000 to help alleviate any financial barriers that are preventing them from pursuing an internship. Monies earned from the internship will be deducted from the stipend. To apply for the stipend, students must meet the following criteria:

    • Be a Governors Club employee or dependent
    • Have received an SFSF scholarship in the past
    • Be a full-time student or a recent graduate
    • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
    • Be a rising 3rd or 4th year undergraduate or a graduate student
    • Have a declared major and have completed course work in that major
    • Secured the internship at the time of application
    • Received supervision by someone at the internship site (the internship     supervisor cannot be a family member.)

How Do I Start the Application Process?

To be eligible for an SFSF Internship Stipend, the following materials must be submitted to the SFSF Scholarship Committee at [email protected]:
   
  1. The signed application form
  2. A 1 to 2 page typewritten essay attached to the application outlining:
      a. Why this internship is essential to your professional development goals
      b. How this stipend will support your pursuit of the goals
      c. Why you have chosen your particular internship site
  3. Current college transcript
  4. Supervisor confirmation of your internship acceptance and a statement indicating wages you will earn from the internship, if any.

Click internship_stipend_application_form_3-22-2024.pd to download the Internship Stipend Application Form.

The Award

The Scholarship Committee along with the applicant will determine the most beneficial way to receive the stipend. A portion of the award will be withheld and paid to the intern upon the submission of a final report submitted within one month of the internship. The SFSF Treasurer will issue an IRS 1099 form by year end, as the stipend is considered taxable income to the recipient. 

Your Essay

​To help you better prepare the essay, please consider the following:

Relevance to Major/Career: The SFSF Scholarship Committee is looking for 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 the intern’s set goals or as an exploratory experience to help narrow down interests and goals, the essay should provide a thoughtful reflection of how this particular internship enhances academic progress.

Anticipated Experiences: The SFSF committee is looking for clear descriptions of probable tasks and projects the intern will be working on under supervision. We recognize actual projects are likely to change slightly as the internship progresses.

After Your Internship Is Over

Complete a final report within one month of the conclusion of the internship that briefly describes the accomplishments and the impact of the internship on personal and professional development. Include confirmation by the supervisor of any wages paid. The report should be one to two typewritten pages.

Failure to submit the final report will result in a “hold” on the student’s final stipend payment.

Please submit the final report to the SFSF Scholarship Committee at [email protected]. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. David Hopkins at [email protected]. Dr. Hopkins is the current Chair of the SFSF Scholarship Committee.