Colgate and its generous alumni and parent donors offer grants to help offset experience-related expenses for students who pursue unpaid and underpaid summer experiences such as internships, research, and skills-based programs.

Student intern photo

Overview

All students are encouraged to pursue a minimum of two robust career experiences during their time at Colgate. Career Services Summer Funding program offers students two distinct funding paths to allow students to gain insight into career opportunities of interest.

Experiential learning: Working alongside professionals in qualifying experiences such as internships, research, and long term volunteer roles, students will gain first-hand experience with the work of their industry. Students will have an opportunity to test different work environments and grow their professional network.

Training and credentialing opportunities: Through robust training, courses, or field work, students will have an opportunity to develop essential skills needed to thrive in their intended professional arena. Qualifying experiences include, but are not limited to: CNA, STNA, EMT, or phlebotomy training; language immersion programs; business programs; design programs; coding bootcamp; and more.

Explore previous student experiences on the Career Services News page.

Learn more about the application process and review frequently asked questions for help. 

The application period for 2024 summer funding has ended.

Frequently Asked Question

Sources of Funding on the Common Application

Completing the common application puts you in contention to receive funding from one of the following funds, sponsored by alumni, family, and friends of the university. Please note, students needn't apply for individual funding sources. If awarded funding, the Summer Funding Committee and Career Services staff will determine the most relevant funding source.

Career Services offers additional grants to fund practical experiences for students — internships, research, and community service. Experiences can be in any career field. Funding is awarded to students who best articulate the potential value of the proposed experience to the career exploration process or the advancement of career ambitions.

The Brill-Milmoe ’69 Internship Endowment provides financial support to Colgate University students to pursue unpaid or underpaid internships in government, NGOs, and private organizations engaged in governance, public policy or policy implementation, or communication in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Funding is available to all enrolled Colgate students including, but not limited to, those accepted into or currently enrolled in the Washington, D.C. Political Science Study Group. This fund encourages Colgate students to explore and learn from experiences in our nation's capital as a complement to their academic coursework.

The Browning Family Endowed Internship Fund provides financial assistance to one or more Colgate students pursuing internships.

This permanent endowment provides funding to one or more students to pursue a robust summer experience such as an internship, research, skills-based program, or long-term volunteer position.

Established in 2018 by John K. Colgate Jr. ’57, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate student interns.

The Caroline E. Conroy ’10 Endowed Fellowship provides financial assistance to one or more Colgate students who are participating in unpaid or underpaid internships relating to psychology.

Established in 2016 by members of the Class of 1966 in celebration of their reunion, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate student interns.

Established in 2017 by the Class of 1968 in honor of their 50th reunion, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate students seeking an unpaid or low-paid internship opportunity. 

Established in 2015 by members of the Class of 2015 in celebration of their graduation, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate student interns.

Established in 2016 by members of the Class of 2016 in celebration of their graduation, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate student interns.


Established in 2019 by Peter J. and Wendy DeLuca P'15, this permanent endowed fund provides internship funding for one or more Colgate student interns.

Established in 2022 by Samantha and Marc Furstein P’25, this permanent endowment provides financial assistance for one or more Colgate students to participate in an internship, research, and/or service experience.

The Galvin Family Endowed Fellowship offers financial support to one or more Colgate students who qualify for need-based financial aid.

Established in 2004 by Laurence and Alice Jacobs P’96, this permanent endowment fund was created in honor of their son, Aaron Jacobs ’96. This fellowship provides support for one or more Colgate students who wish to intern in the financial or business fields.

The David M. Jacobstein ’68 and Cara Jacobstein Zimmerman ’97 Endowed Fellowship was established in 2007 to provide stipend support for internships for one or more students, particularly those interested in a public interest internship in fields such as law or politics. Preference is given to students who wish to undertake a public interest internship in fields such as law or politics. Preference will also be given to students who qualify for need-based financial aid from Colgate University.

The Bernt ’82 and Maria Killingstad Endowed Fellowship provides financial support to one or more Colgate students who qualify for need-based financial aid.

Established in 2020 by Ned Lecky, PhD in honor of his parents, John S. Lecky ’62 and Nancy Ruth Ward Lecky, this permanent endowment fund is intended to provide financial assistance for one or more Colgate student interns. This fund was inspired by his parents' love for Colgate and the stories of their experiences here. It was established by Ned in recognition of the importance of internship opportunities in building bridges from undergraduate life to students' future roles in advanced academic research or industry.

This funding opportunity is offered through Colgate's Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE).

The Milhomme International Internship program was created by Phillip Milhomme ’60 to support Colgate students who are eager to enhance their global competency and gain career experience through an internship abroad. 

The Gregory St. Pierre ’95 Endowed Internship Fund is a permanent endowment created to provide financial assistance to support one or more Colgate student interns to pursue a robust summer experience.

Established in 2005 by Dr. Merrill Miller, Director of Student Health Services at Colgate University, this fund supports students who want to gain experience through an internship or research experience in health or other science-related fields. This fellowship provides financial assistance to a Colgate University sophomore, junior, senior, or exceptional first-year student.

Established in 2022 by Major Charles E. Roell Jr. in memory of his wife Kara M. Roell ’97, this permanent endowment fund provides financial assistance for one or more Colgate students to pursue experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, that support their career exploration and development.

Established in 1998 by Arthur A. Watson Jr. ’76, this permanent endowment fund was created to provide financial assistance for one or more first- or second-year Colgate students each year who are purposefully searching for an appropriate career direction.

Recipient Information

After summer funding grant decisions are published, students who receive a yes or waitlist decision will be enrolled in a Moodle course where they will find all required activities and paperwork. Students will complete the following general steps as part of the confirmation process.

  1. Attend a summer funding orientation and budgeting session. Multiple virtual sessions will be offered. Awarded students will be directly notified of the schedule.
  2. Submit a direct deposit form to establish a payment channel for your grant
  3. Once you have received an offer for your summer experience, and no later than June 1 of the year in which you receive your offer, submit your budget and confirmation of your summer experience. After reviewing your documentation, Career Services will notify you of your final summer funding grant offer.
  4. Complete your grant acceptance forms and submit any remaining required documentation.
  5. Submit all summer funding assignments by the third Wednesday in August.

Support Colgate’s Summer Funding

The Career Services Internship Fund provides students access to internships and other unpaid professional experiences regardless of their financial status. Make a gift today to support these students by clicking here and entering “Summer Funding” in the comment box.

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