Fund Descriptions
Thanks to the generosity of Oberlin alumni donors and friends of the college, Summer Experience Funding through Career Exploration and Development is available for unpaid or low-paid, off-campus, full-time professional development experiences. These funds help offset expenses related to an internship, music training program, festival, or other pre-professional experiences. Available funding in this program is limited, need-based and competitive. Applying for funding does not guarantee that the funding request will be approved.
*Funding is accessible to freshmen, sophomores, juniors*, or seniors who are currently enrolled and will return to Oberlin College for the next academic year. Graduating seniors are not eligible to apply for the funding. *
Note to third year students (juniors*): it is strongly recommended that you register for the Internship+ Program for funding your summer experience.
The purpose of these funds is to enable student(s) to perform community service or unpaid or low-paid internships by providing financial support to assist with travel, daily commuting, housing, and food expenses while the student participates in the experience.
Career Exploration and Development funds include:
- Class of 1968 Endowed Leadership Award
- Peter Goldsmith Endowed Internship Fund
- Mehri Family Social Justice Award Fund
- Philips Family Student Experience Support Fund
- Panitch Family Internship Fund
- Shireen Quadir Internship Fund
- Lois McFarland ‘33 Internship Fund
- Sylvia Brandt ‘92 and James Kwak Fund for Environmental Justice
- Oberlin Career Exploration and Development Endowed Internship Fund
In honor of their 50th reunion and in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Commencement speech at Oberlin in 1965, the class of 1965 has established this fund to provide financial support for very high-need students to participate in low- or unpaid career-related experiences. The classes of 1966 and 1967 have dedicated their 50th reunion gifts as a continuation of the class of 1965's initiative and good work.
These experiences, which include but are not limited to internships, performance opportunities for musicians, research across fields/disciplines, and pre-professional employment, should promote the student's professional development with meaningful career-building exposure. Students may receive this award once during their time at Oberlin. Per Donor request, qualifying students must be PELL eligible (U.S. Students) or have a comparable financial situation (for international students) as determined by the Oberlin College Office of Financial Aid.
The purpose of the Fund is to support Conservatory and double-degree students who undertake pre-professional music training programs, including festivals, institutes, master classes, and music conference participation.
The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for internships in the Global Health Integrative Concentration. Qualifying Students must have a declared concentration in Global Health registered with Oberlin College Registrar’s Office.
The Godlove Rubin family established this fund to support students involved in summer internships at nonprofit organizations focused on public interest or government agencies.
Mr. Gittler's commitment to the Ohio branch of the American Civil Liberties Union extended over 25 years and he served in every leadership position within the organization. This fund, named in his honor, is intended to provide financial support to students who pursue internships with agencies and other organizations that work on issues related to civil liberties. Per Donor request, priority will be given to students with serious interest in civil liberties.
This fund was created to promote idealism and a dedication to political activism, particularly in the realm of peace organizing. It is intended specifically for students participating in peace-oriented activities, organizing to promote reallocation of resources to non-military needs, and "anti-war" projects in the United States. Students can intern with an established organization or pursue an independent project sponsored by an established organization that focuses on the areas listed above. Per Donor request, priority will be given to students with domestic anti-war proposals, completing internships promoting idealism, political activism, or peace organizing.
The purpose of the Fund is to support a student who undertakes a summer internship or pre-professional experience. In addition to travel, food and housing, awards from this fund may also cover festival fees and/or program registration fees. Per Donor request, preference will be given to students of color with financial need
Please Note: The fund descriptions are for informative purposes only. Rather than selecting particular funds, students will be required to answer a series of screening questions on the funding application. The answers will help staff determine which fund(s) are the best fit for each particular summer experience.
For Funding or Eligibility Questions About Summer Experience Funding
Contact Kristin Ellis, Manager of Parent & Alumni Engagement Programs, at kellis@oberlin.edu.