Career Exploration and Development
Internship+ Student FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Internship+ program are provided below. For additional inquiries, please contact your career community advisor or send us an email at internships@oberlin.edu.
Is funding available for summer internships through the Internship+ program?
Yes. Students are eligible to receive up to $5,000 for completing all program requirements and securing a qualified unpaid or low-paid*, off-campus summer experience by Friday, April 25, 2025.
- Internships must be full-time, 6-12 weeks with a minimum of 240 total hours.
- Undergraduate Research must be minimum of 6 weeks with a minimum of 240 total hours.
- Performance-based experiences must be a minimum of 4 weeks and can include multiple experiences.
- Music Festivals noted both for a high-level of concert programming and musical training offered primarily to pre-professional music students. Can include participation in a concurrent music competition requiring significant preparation and practice to include additional extra-curricular activities such as master classes, professional development workshops, etc.
- Standalone music competitions without significant extra-curricular activities will not be considered.
- Academic Immersion Program (June block programs, etc.)
* low-paid is the total compensation (wages, salary, stipend) is less than the funding a student is eligible to receive through Internship+.
What do I need to complete in order to receive funding?
To participate, your first step is to opt into the program by completing the Internship+ Participation Agreement. This simply lets CED know you’re interested.
Next Steps:
College of Arts & Sciences Students:
- Complete a Resume Review appointment with a Career Advisor,
- AND Join a Career Community in OberLink,
- AND Conduct two (2) career conversations with an industry expert or Oberlin alumnus in your chosen field.
Conservatory & Dual Degree Students:
- Complete a Resume Review appointment with a Conservatory Professional Development Staff,
- AND Complete a Professional Biography review appointment with Conservatory Professional Development Staff,
- AND conduct two (2) career conversations with an industry expert or Oberlin alumnus.
- OR complete one (1) of the following options:
- PROF 200: Professional Development for Musicians (4 credit course offered every fall semester)
- LEAD 375: Career Readiness for Musicians (2 credit course offered every spring semester)
Important: All students must complete the academic track requirements listed above and secure a summer experience before applying for funding. CED will notify you via email when you're eligible to apply for Internship+ funding.
Music Performance, Education and Administration only: If a student does not pass PROF 200 or LEAD 375, will they still be eligible for funding?
Students must receive a Pass grade for their Internship+ LEAD courses to be eligible for funding. A grade of No Pass will not count as the student has yet to complete the course, which is a requirement for funding.
How will funding amounts be determined?
As part of the Internship+ funding request, you must provide a budget and supporting documentation of your estimated expenses. The budget and supporting documentation will be used and considered to determine the amount of funding you will be granted for your summer experience or performance. For more details about what to include in your budget and documentation, please see the question, “What can my funding be used for?”
If my internship is paid, am I still eligible to receive funding?
Yes, you can still receive funding if your internship is paid. However, the amount your organization host will pay you will be considered when calculating the total funding you will receive for your summer experience.
What can my funding be used for?
Your Internship+ funding can be used for living expenses and other expenses directly related to your summer experience or performance. This includes:
- Travel and Local Transportation/Commuting: Costs associated with getting to and from your internship location (airfare, train, bus). Any daily commuting expenses such as public transit or fuel.
- Housing/Rent: Accommodation costs for the duration of your experience: use credible websites to estimate housing or landlord estimates.
- Food Expenses: Ranging from $100/week in lower-cost areas to $135/week in higher-cost areas.
- Program Fee(s): Include any fees directly related to your program or experience, such as for musical performances, festivals, fee-based programs, or research opportunities. ( You will need to cite your sources for these fees by hyperlinking to the program's cost breakdown or providing email confirmation from the program director or coordinator.)
Whom should I contact if I have questions about the funding process or need help with my funding request?
Students should contact their career community advisor with any questions about the funding process.
If I submit my application early, will I have a better chance of receiving more funding?
All applications will be considered equally as long as they are submitted on time. The funding application deadline is Friday, April 25, 2025.
What happens after I apply for funding?
After submission, your funding application will undergo review by Selection committees beginning February 3 and through the deadline of Friday, April 25, 2025. Students will begin to receive notification of award decisions three (3) weeks beyond the funding application review committee receives your application.
Funds will be disbursed by direct deposit to students beginning mid April and continuing through the end of the Spring semester.
When does the funding application open and close?
The funding application will open January 13, 2025 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025.
When will I know how much funding I’ll be receiving?
You will be notified via email about the amount of funding you’ve been awarded by no later than Friday, May 23, 2025.
When will my funding be available to me?
Your funding will be directly deposited into your account before you start your internship. Students must ensure their Direct Deposit Allocation in Oberview is accurate and updating the accounts payable section (not the payroll section) of their student account.
Here is a helpful guide to help you set up or update your direct deposit information in Oberview.
Will I be required to provide documentation of my summer internship expenses (receipts, bills, etc.)?
No, you will not need to provide documentation of summer internship expenses, such as receipts and bills, after the internship experience. However, Internship+ participants requesting internship funding must provide documentation for estimated expenses for the internship funding request form. This means documentation to estimate living expenses for the internship experience, such as housing/rent, travel, daily commuting, food, and details about any program fees.
Will my funding award be subject to taxation?
This information is presented for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified tax professional.
For domestic students, funding awards through the Internship+ program will not be taxed on the “front end,” but you will receive a 1099 form to file your taxes.
For international students, funding awards through the Internship+ program are subject to taxation. Only some students will be taxed at the same rate (or at all), so international students must complete tax forms in a web-based software called Sprintax Calculus.
Awarded international students will receive an email notification from Human Resources regarding their Sprintax account and required forms. The information provided in these forms will determine the taxability of the requested award amount.