Career Development
Career Development / Summer Internship Funds

Summer Internship Funds

Internship funds are awarded to students who have the opportunity to complete an internship that is either unpaid, or low-paid. These awards are intended to provide financial support so that students can take advantage of opportunities for applied experience. 

Eligibility requirements. Students must: 

  • be currently enrolled at Willamette University 
    • This includes students at PNCA in Portland 
  • be a first year, sophomore, junior, or senior who plans to be enrolled at Willamette in FALL, 2026;
  • have already been offered an internship, or be in the final interview stages of an internship
  • have not already received funding or a fellowship/grant through the university, such as a Carson Grant, Colloquium Grant, SCRP, or similar
  • Complete an internship that lasts a minimum of 8 weeks, and is at least 10-20 hours per week of working hours 
    • NOTE: there may be some exceptions to this for freelance projects or productions.
  • Provide signed approval/verification from the internship site supervisor and an estimated # of hours to be completed during the internship experience

Financial Award Amount Guide: 

  • Internships that average approximately 10 hours per week can earn up to $1,200
  • Internships that average approximately 20 hours per week can earn up to $3,000
  • Internships that total 25-40 hours per week can earn up to $4,500-$5,000

*Please note students are not guaranteed maximum amounts. Funding awards will also depend on criteria including strength of the application, and available funds for the type of internship completed.  

**Students enrolled at the Salem campus of Willamette must agree to participate in an “Internship Showcase,” which will take place on Friday, October 2nd. The showcase will involve the creation of a poster outlining what you learned in your internship that you will share along with your peers.
Note that if a student is studying abroad in the fall, attendance is not mandatory but there will be a remote project to complete. More details will follow if awarded funding.  

Experiences that are NOT eligible for funding:

  • Research & Academic Programs*: Research experiences, standard academic courses, or certification programs.
  • Existing University Funding: Any experience already receiving a fellowship, grant, or funding through the university (e.g., Carson, Colloquium, SCRP, or similar).
  • Campus Employment: Jobs within a Willamette University department.
  • Lack of Professional Framework: Roles, whether volunteer or paid, that do not include a professional development component or lack a designated site supervisor.
  • Below Minimum Requirements: Experiences that do not meet the mandated duration of 8–10 weeks or the requirement of at least 10–20 hours per week.
  • General Labor or Service: Roles that focus solely on task completion without a structured career or professional growth focus.

*Clinical research opportunities at research or healthcare facilities may be an exception, and are eligible for funding through the Heatherington Fund. For more information on health-related research funding, please contact Claire Hoffman. 

Application Deadline: Friday, April 24th, 5:00 pm

The application will close at the deadline, with no applications accepted after that point. An Internship Funding Review Committee will evaluate applications and make funding decisions. 

  • Students will be notified of funding decisions no later than MAY 8, 2026. 
  • Funding disbursements will be completed by June 1st, 2026, following verification of internship from the internship supervisor. 

If you have any questions about the criteria for internship funding, don't hesitate to reach out to Anne Lapour in Career Development: aslapour@willamette.edu

TO APPLY, YOU WILL NEED: 

  1. Cover Letter that includes the following: 
  • A description of your internship duties and responsibilities 
  • An explanation of how this internship will impact/support your career development (please include what you will learn in the internship and how it aligns with your career goals) 
  • A statement regarding your financial need and how these funds will impact your          ability to complete the internship
  1. A detailed budget that itemizes your anticipated expenses. (Make a copy of the linked spreadsheet before you make your edits.) 

Eligible expenses may include: 

  • Housing costs (rent, utilities) 
  • Food/groceries 
  • Transportation to/from internship site; may also include parking fees
  • Flight to/from an internship 
  • Professional clothing IF it’s required for the internship experience 

Items NOT covered:

  • Insurance (car; medical). Travel insurance may be included in certain cases. 
  • Medication 
  • Supplies/expenses for ESAs (emotional support animals)
  • Tuition for an academic program or certification 
  • Textbooks for academic courses
  • Hourly or “lost” wages that could have been earned 
    • The purpose of internship funding is to provide enough funds to cover the basic living expenses that will enable you to complete the internship. 
  • Recreation 
  1. A resume 

  2. Completed Google Form: The "Apply Now" link below will take you to this form. Please complete the form in its entirety. 

APPLY NOW

  • Awarded to any undergraduate student working as an intern at a professional, for-profit business organization.

    In recognition of gifts from Joseph F. '71 and Rosanne E. Hoffman, Willamette University offers grant funding to assist students in accessing professional internships.

    Funding may be awarded to any full time junior or rising senior enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences who is working as an intern at a professional, for-profit business organization. These awards are designed to enhance the recipient's practical experience, work exposure and career opportunities. Students may seek funding for: 

    • Travel expenses (airfare, gas/mileage reimbursement, train tickets) 
    • Housing and/or food 
    • Lost wages 

    Joe Hoffman earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics from Willamette University in 1971 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University in 1973. After graduating from Stanford, Joe became a certified public accountant and enjoyed a 36 year career with KPMG LLP, the international audit, tax and advisory professional services firm. During his career, Hoffman served a variety of technology, manufacturing, higher education, government, and financial services clients ranging in size from start-up organizations to Fortune 500 companies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, California and Texas. Joe also held a number of senior leadership positions within KPMG serving as the Partner in Charge of Audit in Portland, Oregon, the Western Area Partner in Charge of Public Services, an SEC and Professional Practice Partner in Silicon Valley, and serving four years as a member of KPMG’s Board of Directors. Since his retirement from KPMG in 2009, Joe has served as a Director on both private and public company boards. Joe has served as a member of the Willamette University Board of Trustees since 2011.

    Rosanne Hoffman graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. After graduation, Rosanne began a successful career as a certified public accountant, first serving as an auditor with a large international public accounting firm for many years, and then transitioning to private industry as a chief financial officer. After taking some time away from her business career to focus on their two children, Genevieve and Joseph Makenzie (Mac), Rosanne embarked on a second career as a real estate professional, using her love of interior design and architecture as well as her business background to support her clients in achieving their real estate goals. Rosanne is passionate about giving back to the community, serving the local school district, humane society, hospital, and other non-profit organizations in various capacities. The Hoffman family has initiated this special internship fund to ensure that students receive valuable pre-professional business skills to complement the rich educational experiences in the Willamette liberal arts curriculum. 

  • Awarded to undergraduate students with unmet financial need.

    In recognition of all gifts received from Mr. Adam R. Lutz '95 and Mrs. Laura A. (Sellwood) Lutz '97 as well as those from friends, family, and co-workers of the Lutz Family, Willamette University offers grant funding to assist students in accessing funding for their internships and professional development. 

    The Catherine D. Lutz Internship Fund honors Catherine’s 30 years in Career Services at Willamette University and her dedicated support of students and leadership as a career services professional. Throughout her career, Catherine strongly advocated for the importance of internships for liberal arts students.

    Eligible students must have unmet financial need. They must have completed one or more years of study at Willamette University and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

  • Awarded to rising juniors and seniors in the College of Arts & Sciences who are working as interns at for-profit business organizations. 

    In recognition of current and future gifts from Glenn W. '75 and Heidi A. '75 Patterson, Willamette University establishes the Glenn and Heidi Patterson Professional Internship Fund in order to ensure students receive valuable pre-professional business skills to complement the rich educational experiences in the Willamette liberal arts curriculum. 

    Glenn and Heidi Patterson received their Bachelor of Arts degrees from Willamette in 1975, majoring in Economics and Biology respectively. They have established this special internship fund to ensure students receive valuable experiences through internships that will allow recipients to gain practical work experience, develop new and transferable skills, gain confidence in their abilities, explore a prospective career path, and network with business professionals to enhance future career opportunities. 

    First priority of this grant will be for all Juniors and/or Seniors enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences who are working as interns at for-profit business organizations. If, in any given year, no students match this criterion, compensation may be given to any student with internships at non-profit or not-for-profit businesses.

  • Awarded to sophomore, junior, and senior students in the College of Arts & Sciences who have shown personal leadership and service through their time on campus. 

    In recognition of a series of gifts received over a five-year period from the members of the CLA Class of 1969, Willamette University hereby establishes the Class of 1969 (50th) Reunion Fund to directly provide vital and ongoing support for Willamette University undergraduate students in pursuit of their educations. 

    Any sophomore, junior or senior student enrolled full time in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University shall be eligible for consideration without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.

    Fund preference will be given to any junior or senior who is fully immersed in the life of campus as demonstrated by personal leadership and/or service. 

    At the time of formalizing this agreement, the Class of '69 was comprised of 204 living alumni of whom 20% formed the initial base of donators for establishing the Fund. The Class of '69 was always considered highly energized and accomplished academically, athletically, politically, and socially at Willamette, and they were also a clear reflection of the dynamic events which shaped and dominated the social and political landscapes of the late 1960s: emerging civil rights concerns; questioning and challenging authority; choosing to serve, support, or challenge the drafting of male students for military service; moving away from WU religious "convocation" requirements; moving WU away from required dress standards and closing hours for female students; and, in general, precipitating students taking greater control of their own academic and social lives in college. 

  • Awarded to any full-time student who is working as a low- or unpaid intern with a non-profit organization.

    In recognition of gifts from Janelle (Duyck) Bovell '08, Willamette University hereby establishes the Janelle (Duyck) Bovell '08 Non-Profit Internship Fund.

    Funding may be awarded to any full-time student in the College of Arts & Sciences who is working as low- or non-paid interns at non-profit organizations. 

    Janelle (Duyck) Bovell earned her bachelor of arts degree in politics from Willamette University in 2008. As an undergraduate, Janelle worked as a research assistant for the Dean of Campus Life and was a member of the women's varsity basketball team. After Willamette, Janelle attended law school at Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, receiving her J.D. in 2014. Following law school, Janelle worked in compliance for Citigroup in New York City and as of December holds the position of Manager, AML Advisory, Financial Crimes Compliance at PayPal. Janelle has been a longtime supporter of Willamette, with her philanthropy reflecting her affinity areas at her alma mater. Past support includes the sponsorship of a locker in the renovated women's basketball team room and substantial gifts for the Robert Hawkinson Student Initiative Fund. 

    After completing several unpaid internships during her undergraduate studies, Janelle was motivated to help support those students who otherwise may not be able to have an internship experience due to financial need. 

  • Awarded to any full-time student working as a low- or non-paid intern in the allied health professions. 

    In recognition of gifts from Katherine S. and Vincent J. Cahill, Willamette University establishes the Cahill Internship Fund. 

    Any and all gifts and contributions received for credit to the Fund shall be available to provide compensation to undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the University who are working as low- or non-paid interns or participating in other relevant pre-professional experiences. The internships should enhance the students’ practical experience, work exposure, and/or career opportunities.

    Kate and Vincent are longtime supporters of the University, serving as leaders of the Parent Leadership Council when their daughter earned her Bachelors in Exercise Science in 2013. Kate has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017.  

  • Awarded to health professions program participants, Public Health majors, and/or Heatherington Scholars in Public Health who are participating in internships or research opportunities in the health sector.

    In recognition of gifts from the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health, Willamette University establishes the Heatherington Pre-Health Internship and Research fund. 

    Funding is available to students enrolled full-time in the College of Arts and Sciences who are participating in internship or research opportunities in the health sector. In order to be eligible for funds, students must be a participant in the health professions program, a Public Health major, and/or a Heatherington Scholar in Public Health. 

    The Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health was established  by FamilyCare Health in 2003.For more than 30 years, FamilyCare Health provided  patient-centered health care to Oregonians. FamilyCare Health was the first health plan  in Oregon to integrate models of physical and mental health and the first Coordinated  Care Organization (CCO) in the tri-county area certified by the Oregon Health Authority.  As a CCO, FamilyCare Health provided integrated and coordinated patient-centered care  to approximately 115,000 Oregonians covered by the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) in  Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties plus parts of Marion County. 

    Jeff Heatherington ’65 was the founder, president, and CEO of FamilyCare Health. He has served on many boards including the Willamette University Alumni Board of Directors, Oregon Health Council, the Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Board, the  Oregon Symphony, International President of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the  American Osteopathic Foundation. He was the executive director of the Osteopathic  Physicians and Surgeons of Oregon for 30 years and was one of the founders of The  College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon. 

  • Awarded to students completing internships with an advocacy or community focus, for a nonprofit organization in either Salem or surrounding region. Students awarded NUO funding are required to participate in the NUO program, which entails connecting with other student interns on a regular basis throughout the summer. This cohort model is designed to build community and allow students to share with peers and receive support.
    Please note: students who are interning with a nonprofit/public sector organization but receive funding from another source or do not require funding, may still participate in NUO programming, pending approval by the Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement.
  • This fund is open to all PNCA graduate and undergraduate students. The Creative Career Innovation Fund is intended to offset the costs of students seeking to improve their professional experience and exposure to work in the fine arts, design and creative industries. Students may apply for funds to support internships, career support experiences like conferences, meetings and/or registration fees that allow students to make or sell their work to the public. This can include but is not limited to activities: art fairs/sales, Comic Con, and other industry events where students must register to sell their work. This fund is limited to domestic activities (no international travel or fees). 
    NOTE: if you are a graduate student, we will use a separate process for awarding funds. You can contact Anne Lapour, Executive Director of Career Initiatives, aslapour@willamette.edu for more information.