Apply for the Impact Internship Grant
Accepted an unpaid or low-stipend internship in a cause you care about? The Impact Internship Grant helps cover the costs of pursuing meaningful professional experiences that make a difference. UT undergraduate students may apply for awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 to support summer internships focused on civic engagement, community development, education access, health access, environmental sustainability, public policy, and related impact areas. Check your eligibility, prepare your materials, and submit your application through Handshake.
Eligibility
To apply for the Impact Internship Grant, you must:
- Have secured an internship position for the upcoming summer at the time of application. Employer or supervisor verification is required.
- Be a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the time of application and during the award period. Summer enrollment is not required.
- Have completed 30 credit hours of coursework by the time the internship begins.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the time of application and during the award period.
About the award
The Impact Internship Grant provides financial support to help students pursue valuable internship experiences that may otherwise be financially difficult to accept.
$500–$2,000
Award amounts vary based on available funding, individual financial need, the financial obligations associated with the internship, internship location, and the overall competitiveness of the application.
Awards are distributed as a financial aid disbursement following the completion of the internship and according to university financial aid procedures.
How to apply
All application materials must be submitted through Handshake. Log into Handshake, search for the Impact Internship Grant, and complete the application before the deadline below. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Open the application in Handshake
What to submit
- Short essay questions. Applicants respond to essay questions describing the nature and scope of their internship, expected learning outcomes, and how the experience will support their educational and career goals. Tip: career coaches can help review and strengthen your essay responses before submission.
- Resume. Prior accomplishments and experiences are evaluated through your resume. Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a career appointment or attend a Walk-In Resume Review before submitting their materials.
- Employer / Supervisor Verification Form. The employer or internship supervisor must verify the internship position, responsibilities, dates, and compensation status through the required verification form.
- Budget Form. Applicants submit a projected budget outlining anticipated internship-related expenses, including transportation, housing, meals, professional attire, supplies, and other relevant costs. Find the Impact Internship Budget Form in the Handshake posting
Need help with your resume? Visit the Resumes & Cover Letters resource page before submitting your application.
Deadlines and notifications
Application deadlines vary by cycle. Refer to the active Impact Internship Grant posting in Handshake for the most current application deadline and submission details.
Scholarship recipients are selected on a rolling basis. Applicants are notified of decisions through their official UT email account.
If you receive the award
If you are awarded the Impact Internship Grant, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Meet with a Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration staff member (Caleb Roberson, [email protected]) for a brief training and orientation session before beginning the internship.
- Be available to participate in CCDAE events and share your internship experience as a representative of the scholarship program.
- Submit a follow-up summary and photographs from the internship experience. These materials may be used in future CCDAE publications and promotional materials.
- Be willing to serve on future scholarship selection committees if requested.
- Complete the internship experience as described in the application. Failure to complete the internship may result in forfeiture or repayment of scholarship funds. Exceptions are considered only under extreme or unusual circumstances and remain at the discretion of the selection committee.
How applications are evaluated
Applications are reviewed competitively by a committee of faculty, staff, and students and are evaluated based on:
- Quality of the application, resume, and essay responses
- Internship learning outcomes and alignment with educational and career goals
- Financial need, including expenses associated with participation in the internship
Internships that may not qualify
The following internship experiences generally fall outside the scope of the Impact Internship Grant:
- Formal placement programs that require students to pay participation fees, unless the program is officially partnered with a UT academic department and written verification is provided.
- Internships that do not demonstrate a substantial time commitment. Funding priority and award amounts may be influenced by the intensity of the experience.
- Undergraduate summer research positions, which may be eligible for funding through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
- Congressional internships, which may be eligible for funding through the Congressional Internship Program.
- Required field placements that are a mandatory component of a degree program. Field placements completed outside of degree requirements may still be considered.
Applicants and internships that do not meet these criteria, or any incomplete applications, will not be considered.
Want help with your application?
A career coach can review your essay responses, strengthen your resume, and help you build a realistic budget for your internship experience. Schedule an appointment before you submit, applications are competitive.
Career Coaching & Education
Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration
201 Student Union, 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
865-974-5435