Career Exploration and Development
Summer Experience Funding
Financial constraints shouldn't stand between you and a career-defining summer. Through need-based grants funded by Oberlin alumni and friends, CED supports returning students taking on unpaid internships, music training, research, and academic immersion programs. This funding is available to current Oberlin College students returning for the fall semester. (Please note: Graduating seniors are ineligible, and rising seniors are strongly encouraged to apply through the Internship+ Program instead.)
Funding is available to students who meet the following requirements:
Degree & Timeline Criteria
BA, BS, and BM Students: Eligible after their first or second year.
Double Degree Students: Eligible after their first, second, or fourth year.
BA+BFA Integrated Arts Students: Eligible after their first, second, or third year.
3-2 Engineering Students: Eligible after their first year.
Fall Graduates: Eligible during the summer immediately preceding their final fall semester (provided they are not eligible for Internship+ funding).
Academic & Program Criteria
Enrollment & Academic Standing: Must be in good academic standing and are enrolled on campus or on an approved academic leave of absence to study away in the spring prior to the summer experience and the fall after the summer experience.
Experience: Formally secured and accepted an eligible summer experience.
General Experience Categories
Internships & Undergraduate Research: Must run 6 to 12 weeks with a minimum of 240 total hours.
Fully Remote Opportunities: Must run 6 to 12 weeks with a minimum of 240 total hours. Funding decisions are evaluated based on experience quality and budget justification.
Academic Immersion Programs: Oberlin June Block intensive courses and language immersion programs are fully eligible. Other intensive academic programs may be considered if they are at least 4 weeks, include clear career development components, and include a faculty letter confirming equivalent academic rigor.
Arts Experiences: Must be at least 4 weeks with a minimum of 120 total hours. Eligible fields include theater, acting, improv, creative writing, cinema/media, visual arts, music, dance, design, and other relevant arts-based disciplines. Formats include public performances, exhibitions, master classes, workshops with significant mentorship, personalized projects, screenings, professional development opportunities, and/or other meaningful arts-related activities.
Music-Based Experiences:
- Music festivals, summer institutes, academies, artist residencies, or other music-based educational experiences that provide sustained, intensive study with professional musicians, faculty, or industry leaders. Eligible experiences must total a minimum of four weeks, which may be fulfilled through multiple non-concurrent programs.
- Programs offering significant mentorship opportunities, including master classes, ensemble rehearsals, seminars, networking opportunities, and other structured educational activities designed to foster artistic and professional development.
- Music competitions that require substantial preparation and participation and include meaningful educational components beyond the competition itself, such as master classes, professional development workshops, lectures, career seminars, or other organized learning experiences.
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Independent or self-directed projects, including self-organized concert tours, self-produced recordings, independently arranged performances, private lessons or other activities that do not provide a structured educational component.
To apply for Summer Experience Funding, you must submit a budget worksheet and an offer letter verifying whether your summer role is paid or unpaid.
Summer Experience Funding awards help cover necessary summer living costs such as housing, meals, and transportation. Awards are designed to offset expenses rather than serve as compensation or salary.
Award Ranges & Eligibility Guidelines
Award amounts are based on your submitted budget, financial need, and the type of summer role:
| Summer Role Type | Maximum Potential Award | Key Guidelines |
| Unpaid Roles | Up to $4,000 | Receives priority funding consideration. |
| Paid Roles | Up to $2,000 | Available only to students with demonstrated high or very high financial need; strictly covers housing and food expenses. |
How Funding Decisions Are Made
Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee full funding.
The review committee evaluates each application holistically based on:
The strength and clarity of your proposal
Alignment with Internship+ program objectives
Total available funding and the size of the applicant pool
Applicants may be awarded partial funding, even if all submitted expenses meet the program criteria.
Follow these steps to prepare your application and meet the program requirements for your college.
Step 1: Complete Your Track-Specific Requirements
Review and complete the required career development milestones for your enrolled degree program:
College of Arts & Sciences Track
Complete the following two required activities:
Join a Career Community Group: Connect with career resources and network with Oberlin alumni on OberLink. (See the Guide To Navigating OberLink
Guide to Navigating OberLink Conduct Two Career Conversations: Complete 2 career conversations with an industry expert or Oberlin alumnus in your field of interest.
Timeline: These must be completed during the academic year and/or before the end of your summer experience so they can be included in your required Digital Portfolio - Conducting Career Conversations Guide.
Recommended: Have your resume reviewed at the CED Resume Review Lab before submitting your application. (Hours and operational details are forthcoming, please check back soon).
Conservatory & Dual Degree Students:
If your summer experience involves musical performances, training, or music programs, choose one of the following options:
Option 1:
Schedule a Resume Review and a Professional Biography Review appointment with the Conservatory Professional Development Staff.
Conduct Two Career Conversations: Complete 2 career conversations with an industry expert or Oberlin alumnus in your field of interest.
Timeline: These must be completed during the academic year and/or before the end of your summer experience so they can be included in your required Digital Portfolio - Conducting Career Conversations Guide.
Option 2:
Complete PROF 200: Professional Development for Musicians (a 4-credit course offered every semester).
Step 2: Submit Your Application & Materials
Review the Application Guide to assemble and submit your required materials.
Can I apply for funding before accepting a summer experience?
No. You must fully accept an offer before applying, as incomplete applications will not be processed. Your application must include an official offer letter and job description.
What should I do if I’ve applied to multiple organizations?
We ask students to focus your application on the single opportunity you have chosen and fully accepted before you apply.
Will CED consider late applications?
Applications are reviewed through May 2027. Submissions received after May 7th will be reviewed based on fund availability and may experience longer than usual processing time.
Does applying early increase my funding amount?
No, all applications are evaluated equally regardless of submission time. However, late submissions submitted after May 9th will experience longer processing times.
How will I receive my funds once approved?
Once approved, you will receive an email with an official award agreement letter and next steps. You must submit your signed award agreement letter by following the instructions in that email to begin deposit processing. CED will then follow up with an update once your award is routed to the Controller's Office, including an estimated arrival date. Approved funds are transferred directly into your bank account via direct deposit.
Important: To avoid payment delays, log into Oberview, search for 'Direct Deposit Allocation', and confirm your banking details are accurate under Accounts Payable (not Payroll). Use this guide to help you set up or update your direct deposit.
Is my funding award taxable?
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance and not professional tax advice. Awards over $600 may be reported as taxable income.
Domestic Students: Funding is not taxed upfront. You may receive a 1099 form for year-end tax filing.
International Students: Funding is subject to taxation. You will receive an email from the Controller's Office to set up a Sprintax Calculus account; the forms you complete there will determine your specific tax rate. You may receive a 1042-S form for year-end taxes.
Can I apply for funding if my experience is paid or offers a stipend?
Primary funding (up to $4,000 for eligible expenses) is reserved for unpaid opportunities. However, paid experiences may receive up to $2,000 specifically for housing and food costs for students with demonstrated financial need.
Please note that all awards are competitive, need-based, and dependent on available funding, so approval is not guaranteed.
What if I want to wait on funding approval before accepting an offer?
You must accept your offer before applying. Funding decisions are only made for completed applications that include a job description, an official offer acceptance letter, and a detailed budget worksheet. Because funding is not guaranteed, please evaluate your financial situation carefully or have a backup plan in place before committing to an opportunity.
Where can I find affordable summer housing for my internship?
Housing is often one of the highest expenses during the summer, but starting your search early can substantially lower your costs. Tips For Housing
Review summaries from previous summer funding recipients to gather ideas and inspiration for your own summer opportunities. These insights can help you identify potential experiences and better understand how to make the most of your internship or professional development experience.
Previous Recipients:
Important Dates
- Funding Application Opens Mid January
- Application Deadline (Friday, May 7th): Late submissions face longer processing times.
- Review Process (Rolling): Students receive an email when review begins.
- Decision Notification (Within 3 Weeks): Sent via email following the start of your review.
- Funding Distribution (Mid April – June): Disbursed progressively.
For questions email internships@oberlin.edu