What is the President’s Earn & Learn Scholarship Program?

To ensure that an experience is educational, and thus eligible to be considered a legitimate internship by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) definition, all the following criteria must be met: 

1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
2. The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
3. The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
4. There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework. 
5. There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
6. There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.  
7. There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals. 

If these criteria are followed, it is the opinion of NACE that the experience can be considered a legitimate internship.

Experiences can be paid or unpaid. We prefer to award the scholarship to students in unpaid experiences; however, students in underpaid experiences that don’t pay enough to meet basic needs are encouraged to apply as well.

Yes, but it must provide new learning. Students must clearly explain how the responsibilities of this new position are significantly different from their previous position. 

Yes, but F-1 visa students must meet Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requirements to participate. Learn more about CPT here or contact the International Student Office.

Undergraduate research is linked to a number of learning outcomes essential in undergraduate studies. A goal of the President’s Earn & Learn Scholarship Program is to allow for flexibility while also ensuring the student has an authentic experience incorporating at least some of the Council on Undergraduate Research (www.cur.org) learning domains.  

In order for your research experience to be eligible for a President’s Earn & Learn Scholarship, it must be able to address at least 4 of the learning outcomes outlined below: 

1. Relating knowledge to daily life: Seeks new information to solve problems; relates knowledge to major and career decisions; makes connections between classroom and out-of-classroom learning; articulates career choices based on assessment of interests, values, skills, and abilities; provides evidence of knowledge, skills, and accomplishments resulting from formal education, work experience, community service, and volunteer experiences, for example in resumes and portfolios.
2. Critical thinking: Identifies important problems, questions, and issues; analyzes, interprets, and makes judgments of the relevance and quality of information; assesses assumptions and considers alternative perspectives and solutions.
3. Reflective thinking: Applies previously understood information, concepts, and experiences to a new situation or setting; rethinks previous assumptions
4. Effective reasoning: Uses complex information from a variety of sources including personal experience and observation to form a decision or opinion; is open to new ideas and perspectives.
5. Commitment to ethics and integrity: Incorporates ethical reasoning into action; explores and articulates the values and principles involved in personal decision-making; acts in congruence with personal values and beliefs; exemplifies dependability, honesty, and trustworthiness; accepts personal accountability.
6. Collaboration: Works cooperatively with others, including people different from self and/or with different points of view; seeks and values the involvement of others; listens to and considers others’ points of view.
7. Understanding and appreciation of cultural and human differences: Understands one’s own identity and culture; seeks involvement with people different from oneself; articulates the advantages and impact of a diverse society; identifies systematic barriers then advocates and justifies means for dismantling them; in interactions with others, exhibits respect and preserves the dignity of others.
8. Social responsibility: Recognizes social systems and their influence on people; appropriately challenges the unfair, unjust, or uncivil behavior of other individuals or groups; participates in service/volunteer activities that are characterized by reciprocity; articulates the values and principles involved in personal decision-making; affirms and values the worth of individuals and communities.
9. Pursuing goals: Sets and pursues individual goals; articulates rationale for personal and educational goals and objectives; articulates and makes plans to achieve long-term goals and objectives; identifies and works to overcome obstacles that hamper goal achievement.
10. Communicating effectively: Conveys meaning in a way that others understand by writing and speaking coherently and effectively; writes and speaks after reflection; influences others through writing, speaking or artistic expression; effectively articulates abstract ideas; uses appropriate syntax and grammar; makes and evaluates presentations or performances; listens attentively to others and responds appropriately.
11. Managing career development: Takes steps to initiate a job search or seek advanced education; constructs a resume based on clear job objectives and with evidence of knowledge, skills, and abilities; recognizes the importance of transferrable skills.
12. Demonstrating professionalism: Accepts supervision and direction as needed; values the contributions of others; holds self accountable for obligations; shows initiative; assesses, critiques, and then improves the quality of one’s work and one’s work environment.

Students who receive a scholarship must complete the following requirements:

• Complete two progress reports, one at the mid-point and one at the end of the experience
• Submit two photos of the student working at their site
• Ensure the supervisor completes a final evaluation
• Possible additional requirements for international students receiving Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Complete all coursework requirements if receiving academic credit for the experience

Selected students may be asked to submit a blog article or complete a video interview about their experience to be shared on the Career and Professional Development webpage or related social media outlet.

The funding selection committee makes decisions no later than one month after the application deadline. If selected for a scholarship, we will provide details on when and where to receive the scholarship check from the Opportunity Plan, Inc.