The Summer Experience Grant (SEG) application for Summer 2024 opened on March 1, 2024. Applications will close Monday, April 15 at 11:59pm EST.

We have created an eligibility screening that students can complete anonymously. The screening is NOT attached to your application. We encourage you to complete the screening BEFORE beginning your application. Based on your answers, you will receive feedback about the eligibility and viability of your summer experience as it relates to SEG requirements and guidelines. 

Complete the eligibility screening by clicking this link.

Overview

The SEG is a collection of summer funding awards that provide financial support for students to complete summer unpaid or minimally paid career-related experiences. SEG supports students with living expenses, transportation, and travel so that these essential experiences are available to all of our students, who may otherwise not be able to afford them. The selection process is competitive, as we receive a large number of high quality applications for a limited amount of funding. Each college’s career office reviews applications for their own students. Administration of the grant is coordinated by Central Career Services. 

The SEG application connects students to a variety of summer funding opportunities based on their primary college. See details below about the funding available to students:

ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

• Student Assembly Summer Experience Grant - The maximum award for Student Assembly is $5,000.
• The Dr. JW Landau Summer Experience Fund for Veterans - This award was created in 2021 to support veteran students pursuing unpaid or minimally paid summer experiences, such as internships and research. This award is available to undergraduates who have served at least one year of honorable service in one of the US military branches. Up to $3600 will be awarded each summer.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES STUDENTS

Undergraduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences will be considered for A&S specific awards. Visit the eligibility criteria on our website and take the eligibility screening above to determine if your experience qualifies. 

A&S funds have a maximum award of $6,000/student. Students residing in university housing (at Cornell or elsewhere) and/or students on financial aid with high need may exceed the $6,000 limit. These applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Students should ensure that their budget form and application are detailed and thorough.  

In addition to funding available for all eligible experiences there is funding available for students on financial aid, students that are first generation, experiences in the field of journalism/communication, and experiences in think tank/government in Washington, DC (Berger Grant). 

SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL & LABOR RELATIONS (ILR) STUDENTS

The ILR School provides funding to both BSILR and MILR students. While MILRs are not eligible for the university-wide undergraduate funds, they are eligible for some ILR alumni-funded awards and should apply through the SEG application. BSILR students who apply to the SEG will be considered for all university-wide funding and for ILR alumni-funded awards. ILR undergraduates and MILRs do not need to specify for which awards they wish to be considered, as staff reviewing the awards will consider them for any funding for which they meet the eligibility criteria.

Vicki Saporta Social Justice Internship Fund - This award is open to Cornell undergraduates who will work in nonprofit organizations, domestic or international, that pursue progressive agendas, including, but not limited to, women's rights, women's reproductive health and rights, human rights, workers' rights, organized labor, immigrants' rights, environmental conservation, gun control, animal welfare, and labor unions. The intern role itself should involve active engagement in the organization's focus. Preference is given to ILR students. The fund was established by Vicki Saporta BSILR '74.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Due to the typical size of the applicant pool, Engineering students who have a Cornell-based summer research experience with a Cornell faculty member (either at the Ithaca campus or Cornell Tech) are highly encouraged to apply to the Engineering Learning Initiatives Student Grant Fund (ELISGF) rather than the SEG to maximize your chances of being funded. Please note the ELISGF has an earlier deadline than SEG.

BUDGET SECTION RESOURCES

Here are a few resources to help you fill out the Budget Expenses and Income Form portion of the application:

• Common Expenses Tip Sheet
• Link to Smart Asset website to calculate taxes out of income

GENERAL RESOURCES

If you have questions about the process you can email them directly to seg@cornell.edu. If you would like to meet about the Summer Experience Grant, please go to the Cornell Career Services booking page (select 'Funding Opportunities').

To watch the recording of the Summer Experience Grant 2024 Info Session click here.

Have questions? For more information about eligibility, the application process, timeline; visit our website.