Beyond the Classroom
Scholarships don't just exist to help you pay for school. As students, you also have access to funding opportunities for participating in professional development programs or internships, as well as scholarships awarded to help you perform research or pursue graduate school.
Please note that this list is slowly growing as we discover more opportunities. While we encourage you to check this list often for new additions, we strongly recommend that you actively search for your own opportunities as well. All internships listed on this page are paid.
Not sure where to start? The Office for Experiential Learning & Career Services offers many career services and resources for students. They will also work with alumni who have graduated within the past two years.
Internships, Professional Development, & Research
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Internal Opportunities
The Baucus Institute offers three summer internship programs, along with a summer study abroad program in China, exclusively to undergraduate students enrolled in Montana colleges.
- Places students in paid internships in Congressional offices and committees in Washington, D.C.
- Offers paid project-based learning experiences in Montana-based governmental and nonprofit offices.
- Full-time, paid summer internships for students interested in environmental policy and climate issues.
- Selects up to 30 students total for two separate summer programs in China. No prior study of Chinese required. Scholarships are provided so students who would not otherwise be able to travel have the opportunity to participate.
- A separate is available for graduating seniors enrolling in law school program, as well as current law students.
- Applications typically open in October, due in mid-to-late January
Experiential Learning Scholarship: The Office for Experiential Learning and Career Success offers up to $2,000 to students pursuing professional development opportunities that are not funded. These opportunities include low-paid or unpaid internships; research projects; creative works related to performance or production; service projects; and travel for study abroad, field study programs, professional development programs, or academic presentations and conferences.
- There are three separate application cycles: one for the Fall, and two for the Spring. Make sure to meet the deadline for the cycle you are applying for.
- Students should make appointments with ELCS to help them search for paid internship opportunities.
For students and alumni seeking internships, scholarships, and job opportunities.
老虎机攻略 Natural Resource Management Laboratory (PAID): Offers several paid internships during the academic year, as well as in the summer. Students can get work experience in on-campus labs, or with a private contractor in a related field. Students can earn up to $3,000/semester, or $7,000 over a summer term.
老虎机攻略 Public Health Internships: Lists some career and paid internship opportunities for students interested in Public Health. Placements are in Montana's local and tribal communities.
老虎机攻略's Mansfield Center offers $6,000 scholarships to 6 老虎机攻略 students pursuing internships in Washington, DC. The scholarship is only offered to full-time undergraduate students. Applicants must submit a one-page proposal outlining their internship, its relevance to American democracy, and how the internship experience will contribute to their educational and career-related goals.
- Students must provide documentation of their internship program acceptance
- Priority deadline is in March
- All applications received after priority deadline will only be considered if leftover funding remains
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Opportunities With Federal Agencies
As with most federal programs, applicants must be able to pass federal background checks in order to remain eligible for these opportunities. It is critical that students understand the difference between state and federal laws, particularly relating to drug usage, when applying for these programs.
Students who are interested in receiving tuition assistance alongside work opportunities for federal organizations should check out the Federal Tuition & Service Programs tab on the main scholarship page.
Connects Native American & Alaska Native students to paid internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Nations across the United States.
This internship offers hands-on professional experience in several different career paths. Student interns also receive tuition assistance, scholarship opportunities, temporary internship housing, paid training opportunities, and travel opportunities to BIA and Tribal locations across the US.
Upon completing the program, students may qualify for a permanent, non-competitive job placement with either the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or with Tribal Nations.
- Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a technical, undergraduate or graduate-degree program
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Open to part-time and full-time students
- Open to students from many majors and fields. These include, but not are limited to:
- Natural resources
- Agricultural Sciences
- Technology and Engineering
- Business, Policy, & Social Services
- Cultural Resources
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
This program acts as a hiring pipeline for both graduating college students and recent graduates. Positions are full-time and entry-level, designed to help new professionals transition into longer-term careers with the FBI.
- Must either be graduating through summer the year of applying, or have graduated no longer than 24 months ago
- Veterans are able to apply up to 6 years after graduating
- Must have maintained and received a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.95 through graduation
- Must pass all FBI employment background investigations
- Must be able to receive a Top Secret Clearance
- Applications typically open in the spring
Selected students will complete a full-time paid internship from June to August with the FBI. Students can gain experience working in a variety of fields, including STEM positions, across the US. Interns who excel in the program may receive a job offer upon graduation.
- Open to students enrolled full-time as undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students
- Cannot be graduating before taking part in the internship
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Must pass all FBI employment background investigations
- Must be able to receive a Top Secret Clearance
- Applications open in the spring every year
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FirstGEN Fellows
is a fully-paid summer program for first-generation college students who intend to pursue careers in social justice. Fellows gain hands-on experience working on civil rights matters as full-time interns in public policy, social justice, education opportunity, and other related fields. They also benefit from weekly advocacy training and a $1,500 stipend.
- Takes place from early June through early August
- Applications closed in January in the past
- Email the committee for more application and program information
TRIO students should also keep an eye out for the Monthly Scholarship Highlights. We will advertise when this program's application cycle opens up!
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Foreign Service & Policy Programs
Students who are interested in working abroad for the government, in international relations, or in a foreign policy or service capacity are highly encouraged to apply to these funded opportunities!
We also recommend checking out the Public Service & Policy Programs tab for additional programs.
This six-week summer program provides undergraduate college students with the opportunity to explore international affairs through college courses, a seminar on skills related to foreign policy, and interaction with a variety of governmental and non-governmental professionals working in global affairs.
The Program covers the costs of tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day, as well as provides a stipend of $3,300. Students who identify as women, are from historically underrepresented ethnic groups, and/or have financial need are highly encouraged to apply.
- Must be full-time undergrad who has achieved sophomore standing or higher by the application deadline
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Check out the Program's YouTube for a , as well as
- The application typically opens in October and closes in early February
: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) offers paid fall, spring, and summer internships. Students get the opportunity to work in one of USAID's offices in Washington DC, and gain experience supporting program work in economic growth; agriculture; education; health; environment; democracy and governance; conflict prevention; and/or humanitarian assistance abroad. Pay grade will increase depending on how many full academic years of college study an applicant has completed.
- Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, or planning to enroll in the current or upcoming semester
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Students who have graduated within the past 2 years (past 6 for veterans) can also check out the
- Application dates vary; check for application announcements
This internship gives students the opportunity to gain substantive learning experience in a foreign affairs environment by working in U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, as well as in bureaus located in Washington, D.C. Interns may participate in meetings with senior-level U.S. Government or foreign government officials; support international meetings and conferences; or contribute to reports and communications used by policymakers. The internship is paid, reasonable travel expenses to and from the internship are covered, and interns receive financial assistance with housing.
- Must be either undergraduate juniors or seniors, or a graduate student
- Must be enrolled in a degree-granting program
- Must have a minimum 3.2 GPA
- Must be able to receive a
- Application opens in October for a Summer 2025 internship
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Advocacy for Foster Youth, by Foster Youth
: A fully-funded internship for students and recent graduates with lived experience in foster care, who are interested in federal policy and advocacy. Selected applicants will work for seven weeks in Washington, DC at a congressional office while working to develop a federal policy report that will then be presented to U.S. Congress, and released to policymakers across the country.
The program fully covers the round-trip costs to and from Washington, DC; housing expenses; public transportation while in DC; and awards interns with a stipend to cover additional living- and food-related expenses.
- Must have previously been in the foster care system
- Must be interested in pursuing careers in federal policy or other professional fields related to advocacy
- Applications open on October 1 and close November 1 annually
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Public Policy & Service Programs
Interested in working in public policy or service? These programs give students with a wide range of backgrounds, career aspirations, and academic interests to gain paid, hands-on experience working in and preparing for their futures as public servants.
The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program is an exciting opportunity for students of all majors to gain paid professional experience in the federal government. Applicants pick that align most closely with their academic and/or career interests. Offers Fall semester and Summer internships.
A separate application is available for those interested in working with the . Interns gain specialized career experience in the Office of Tribal Relations and with Department of Agriculture mission areas. Previous internship focus areas have included Food & Nutrition, Forest Service, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, and Tribal Community & Economic Development. This internship is only offered during the summer. It follows the same application timeline as the Public Service Internship Program.
- Open to college sophomores and above
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Requires 1 letter of recommendation
- Must submit 5 short answer responses (300 word limits)
- Fall Semester: Applications open in February, due in late May every year
- Summer Term: Applications open in early September, due in late November every year
An excellent opportunity for undergraduate juniors who are committed to working in a public service career and have ambitions of pursuing a graduate degree. The program provides students with rigorous graduate-level courses and programming to build their knowledge in economics, statistics, domestic and international policy studies, and leadership topics. PPIA aims to increase the diversity of people working in public service by preparing underrepresented students to obtain a master's or joint degree, specifically in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or another related field.
Selected Fellows receive complete tuition funding and a summer stipend to fully cover their participation in a Junior Summer Institute program at one of five fellowship sites:
Students are also provided with free books and course materials, university housing, and career guidance and coaching during the JSI program. Alumni are given guaranteed application fee waivers when applying to partner graduate schools, a one-time fellowship of $5,000 minimum from a partner school upon acceptance to their graduate program, and many other benefits.
- Must be an undergraduate junior at the time of applying
- Must demonstrate involvement in working to improve historically underserved and underrepresented communities
- Preference given to students who demonstrate financial need
- Applications open in early September and are due in early November
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STEM Research Programs
A fully-funded summer research program for students interested in STEM fields. Scholars are provided the opportunity to participate in a symposium where they can conduct and present on their research, as well as interact with scientists working in industry and academia. Applicants must apply to the program alongside applying to any one of fourteen partner institutions. The program is open to college sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who are returning in the Fall to continue their undergraduate studies.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Must be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D
- Interested students should contact the Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships for assistance with their application and essay
- Application deadlines vary by institution. Most are typically due in mid-February
Offers paid, full-time summer research positions to both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing careers in research and healthcare. Additionally, interns have access to focused on succeeding in scientific, research, and/or healthcare careers, as well as .
The NIH also offers specific summer cohort programs for students who are unable to come to an NIH campus (), as well as for students who have limited access to research opportunities during the school year ().
- Must be 17 years old or older on June 15th of the internship year
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited community college, university, or graduate school at time of application
- Strongly encourages applications from students:
- From underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
- With disabilities
- Who are/were Pell Grant-eligible in college
- Who identify as LGBTQ+
- Who are/were enrolled in Tribal Colleges & Universities; community colleges; Hispanic-serving institutions; and/or HBCUs
- Who have otherwise been disadvantaged by life circumstances
- Applications open in mid-November and close in late February
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Opportunities Exclusive to TRIO Students
One of TRIO's partner organizations, the Council for Opportunity in Education, offers a few incredible opportunities exclusive to TRIO students every year.
We encourage TRIO students to keep an eye on their emails and to check the Monthly Scholarship Highlights each month they're sent out. We will announce these programs through the Highlights as their application cycles open.
This program is open to TRIO students only. One high-achieving TRIO student is selected every semester for the opportunity to study public policy at Marquette University's Les Aspin Center, as well as receive a paid internship placement in a Congressional office. Selected students are supported with tuition, housing, and a small stipend.
- Must be an active TRIO participant
- Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program
- Must demonstrate academic excellence
- Interested students should speak with a TRIO staff member about this opportunity
: An opportunity exclusively for first-generation TRIO students who would like to observe and participate in the federal policy-making process firsthand. Selected applicants will receive a full-time internship position in Washington DC with a monthly stipend, housing allowance, and paid round-trip travel.
- Must have completed a baccalaureate degree within the past five years
- Graduating seniors are welcome to apply
- Must be a first-generation college graduate
- Must have participated in a federal TRIO program either at the pre-collegiate or collegiate level
- Must have a deep interest in working in public policy, along with a desire to expand college access opportunities
- Strong computer skills, particularly in Office, are recommended
- Applications are typically due in late August