How to Fund an Internship
The following are summer funding resources provided by a variety of organizations, foundations and government agencies. Resources are categorized by discipline and alphabetically within each category. Please refer to specific websites for additional information concerning deadlines, qualifications and additional requirements. In addition, the specific websites stipulate the level of degree candidate sought. For example, some opportunities may appear geared towards all undergraduate work, but may in fact seek to fund first-year students exclusively.
In addition, the Columbia University Fellowships Office offers guidance and support for students seeking alternative funding at both Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The Fellowships Office is located at: 208 Hamilton Hall, Columbia University, 1130 Amsterdam Avenue, Mail Code 2805, New York, NY 10027. Students may also refer to the Fellowships Office website which contains a highly recommended database of funding opportunities. Additionally, Columbia College has a listing of prizes and fellowships awarded to students for academic and extracurricular achievements.
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Columbia Resources and Fellowships
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General Resources
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Fellowships in the Arts, Humanities, and Media
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Fellowships in Education
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Fellowships for Leaders and Adventure Seekers
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Fellowships in the Public Service Sector
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Fellowships in the Sciences
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Additional Tips & Strategies
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Summer Housing Options
Columbia Resources and Fellowships
Columbia College Alumni and Parent Internship Fund
- Eligibility: Columbia College rising juniors and seniors who have at least a 3.0 GPA, receive Columbia grant-based financial aid, and have secured an unpaid internship
- Award: Awards range from $1,000 - $3,000
- Deadline: April 2010
Columbia College Prizes and Fellowships
Community Impact Van Amson Service Fellowship Fund
- Eligibility: Awarded to Columbia or Barnard undergraduate students who have secured unpaid summer service internships in NYC or are interested in interning during the summer with Community Impact
- Award: $3,000 stipend plus sponsored housing
- Deadline: March 2010
Congressional Internship Program
- Eligibility: Open to students of CC, SEAS, SGS, and Barnard. The Office of Government and Community Affairs places students in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. for summer internships.
- Award: Students interning in Washington D.C. and receiving Pell Grants can apply for stipends.
- Deadline (for stipend application): March 2010
Daniel and Marianne Spiegel Fund Grant
- Eligibility: PhD students in GSAS, SIPA, Social Work, TC, and Public Health who conduct social science research about post-1900 China
- Award: Up to $2,000
- Deadline: late February/early March 2010
The Earth Institute
- Eligibility: Research travel grants are awarded to students pursuing research projects related to sustainable development and/or environmental protection
- Award: Maximum of $750 / person
- Deadline: October 26, 2009
Edwin Robbins Academic Research/Public Service Fellowship
- Eligibility: Columbia College students researching politics or policy making or who plan to work as unpaid summer interns in a government agency or public service organization
- Award: Awarded to two political science students
- Deadline: February 2010
Edwin Robbins Summer Research Fellowship
- Eligibility: Awarded to two junior history majors for summer research on a senior thesis
- Deadline: mid-April 2010
Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- Eligibility: All graduate and undergraduate students interested in creating arts-related, student-created, non-curricular projects
- Award: Up to $500 for individuals and up to $2500 for groups
- Deadline: The third Monday of each month
Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship and Academic Year Assistantship
- Eligibility: First Year, Sophomore, Junior to conduct independent research projects, which should contribute to the development of their senior theses in the 2009-2010 academic year.
- Award: $4000-$5000 to cover expenses directly related to student's research, including travel, lodging and materials for fellowship and $3,000 per semester for assistantship
- Deadline: February 6, 2009
Phyllis Stevens Sharp Fellowship in American Politics
- Eligibility: Columbia College or School of General Studies student majoring in political science.
- Deadline: February 2009
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Selective Directory of Grants & Fellowships
SURF - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Columbia University
- Eligibility: First-year, sophomore or junior student at CC, SEAS, Barnard, or GS who is interested in spending the summer working full-time on biology related laboratory research
- Award: $4,000 stipend
- Deadline: February 1, 2010
Weatherhead Training Grant
- Eligibility: MA students in GSAS and all professional school students to support research or internships in East Asia
- Award: Up to $3,000
Weatherhead Undergraduate Training Grant
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students for summer projects in East Asia that develop academic and/or professional expertise
- Award: Up to $2,500
- Deadline: March 6, 2009
General Resources
Foundation Directory
Foundation for Sustainable Development
FinAid
GrantsNet
Institute of International Education
Fellowships in the Arts, Humanities, and Media
DAAD: Summer Internships in Germany - InternXchange
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in journalism school or majoring in journalism and proficient in German. Students will learn about Germany's society, culture and politics and participate in an internship at a newspaper, TV or radio station.
- Award: Monthly stipend of €650 and a partial travel subsidy of approximately €650 (East Coast) or €975 (West Coast) towards the cost of international transportation to Germany. DAAD also provides health and accident insurance.
- Deadline: January 31, 2010
The Gilder Lehrman of American History Scholars Program
- Eligibility: Sophomore and junior students studying American history to conduct primary-source research and prepare historical materials for publication
- Award: Stipend of $2,200, along with room, board, and a $600 travel allowance for a five-week program in New York City
- Deadline: March 3, 2009
The Lagrant Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students majoring in advertising, marketing or public relations
- Award: Undergraduate scholarships: $5,000 each; Graduate scholarships: $10,000 each
- Deadline:February 26, 2010
McNamara Family Creative Arts Project
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate Latino students enrolled full-time in a creative arts related field -media, film, performing arts, communications, writing, and others to assist them in beginning and completing an art project
- Award: Grants will range from $5,000 to $20,000
- Deadline: December 15, 2009
Peggy Guggenheim Internships
- Eligibility: Students of different cultures interested in museum management who are fluent in English and Italian
- Award: Stipend of €2250 for three months, €1500 for two months and €750 for one month
- Deadline:January 10, 2010
Pulliam Journalism Fellowships
- Eligibility: College students and recent graduates interested in reporting, new design and graphics and photojournalism.
- Award: Stipend of $650/week.
- Deadline: November 1, 2009
Robert L. Bartley Fellowship Program
- Eligibility: First Year, sophomore, junior, and senior students aspiring to a career in journalism to work as editors for the Wall St. Journal's opinion pages
- Award: Paid internship
- Deadline: January 15, 2009
Shakespeare Theatre Company Internships and Fellowships
- Eligibility: Requirements vary depending on focus of internship; however most interns have an undergraduate degree in theatre and are in the early stages of their professional career
- Award: Weekly stipend of $150 and most interns are eligible to receive rent-free, fully-furnished housing
- Deadline: April 1, 2009
Smithsonian Institution Minority Awards Program
- Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, and senior students interested in learning about the Smithsonian and their academic fields through research and museum-related internship projects
- Award: Stipend of $500/week
- Deadline: October 1, 2008 (for Spring); February 1, 2009 (Summer, Fall)
UNAIDS Special Youth Programme
- Eligibility: Young people (preferably with university degree) aged 20 - 24 years from developing countries with some program experience in HIV related issues
- Award: Renumerated 9 month fellowship
- Deadline: March 5, 2009
Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need pursuing degrees in fine or commercial arts, design, or architecture who plan to enter a career in the creative professions
- Award: $2,000 - $3,000 with a grand prize award of $6,000 and honorable mention awards of $200
- Deadline: April 2010
Fellowships in Education
Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)
- Eligibility: Junior and senior students of underrepresented minorities to participate in a four-week intensive graduate school application process workshop at Phillips Academy
- Award: Participants receive a $1,200 stipend, travel expenses, and room and board.
- Deadline: April 1, 2010
SROP - Summer Research Opportunity Program at Northwestern
- Eligibility: Provides sophomores and juniors majoring in most disciplines an opportunity for direct involvement in research
- Award: Students receive a $4000 stipend, access to $500 for research supplies, complimentary round-trip travel to the Northwestern campus, complimentary University housing (single rooms), and a campus meal subsidy of $450 (not intended to cover all meals).
- Deadline: February 8, 2010
SURF - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships at CalTech
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students collaborate with mentors to develop and work on a research project
- Award: $600/week
- Deadline: February 22, 2009
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Summer Research Intern Program
- Eligibility: This program is for rising senior engineering students. A complete list of research projects is on USC's website.
- Award: Stipend of $4,500
- Deadline: March 6, 2009
Fellowships for Leaders and Adventure Seekers
Christianson Grant
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 18 to 23 who is participating in a work, internship or volunteer abroad program of at least six months
- Award: $2,500 to $10,000
- Deadlines: March 15, July 15, & October 15
Delay the Real World Fellowship
- Eligibility: Recipients must be in their twenties and propose a plan "to avoid the cubicle"
- Award: $5,000
- Deadline: April 23, 2009
Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors submit essays that analyze urgent ethical issues
- Award: $500 - $5,000
- Deadline: January 8, 2010
Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program
- Eligibility: Goldman Sachs selects sixteen students as Global Leaders who participate in leadership training and seminars on international issues
- Award: $3,000
- Deadline: November 30, 2009
Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence
- Eligibility: Awarded to Black, Hispanic or Native American sophomores and juniors in recognition of outstanding achievement and community service
- Award: $5,000 for sophomores and $10,000 for juniors and an offer for a paid Goldman Sachs summer internship
- Deadline: December 11, 2009
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Macy's College Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Undergraduate Latino students
- Award: $5,000 and opportunity for summer internship with Macy's
- Deadline: December 15, 2009
Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Wells Fargo Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Undergraduate Latino students who are interested in financial and banking institution based careers.
- Award: $2,500
- Deadline: February 18, 2009
USA TODAY All Star Prize
- Eligibility: Junior and senior students who excel academically and in their communities. Students are nominated by their schools.
- Award: $2,500
- Deadline: December 12, 2008
Fellowships in the Public Service Sector
Campus Compact/Frank Newman Leadership Award
- Eligibility: Sophomore and junior students with financial need and civic leadership potential
- Award: $5,000
- Deadline: March 21, 2009
City of New York: Urban Fellows Program
- Eligibility: Seniors and recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in public policy
- Award: Nine-month stipend of $30,000 and health insurance
- Deadline: January 7, 2010
Collegiate Leadership Internship Program (CLIP)
- Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who attend school in New York City. Students are placed at paid internships at for-profit, non-profit and Jewish community organizations in New York City.
- Award: Paid internship
- Deadline: February 20, 2009
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
- Eligibility: Students with leadership potential are chosen to pursue public service internships in Washington, D.C.
- Award: $2,000
Congressional Budget Office Internship
- Eligibility: Graduate students in economics, public policy, health policy, financial management, mathematics, statistics or engineering and juniors and seniors with strong credentials to spend a 10-week summer internship learning about the budget process and policymaking at the federal level
- Award: Based on student's experience and credentials, typically $11 - $24/hour
- Deadline: March 2, 2009
Davis Projects for Peace
- Eligibility: First Year, sophomore, junior, and senior students design grassroots projects for peace
- Award: $10,000 per project
- Deadline: January 31, 2010 (internal); February 15, 2010 (external)
The Harry Truman Scholarship
- Eligibility: Juniors who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors
- Award: Up to $30,000 in funding to pursue graduate degrees in public service fields
- Deadline: Internal: November 30, 2009; Official: February 2, 2010
Humanity in Action (HIA) Fellowship Program
- Eligibility: First year, sophomore, junior and senior students are selected to study human rights, diversity, and minority issues through debates, seminars and site visits and are then eligible for internship opportunities at civic and political organizations
- Award: HIA pays for travel, accommodations, and provides a modest food stipend.
- Deadline: February 12, 2009
Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program
- Eligibility: Seniors and recent graduates can apply to this 11 month fellowship with the California Legislature
- Award: Monthly stipend of $1,972, as well as medical, dental and vision benefits and fully-paid enrollment at California State University, Sacramento
- Deadline: February 24, 2010
Junior Associates in Asian Affairs
- Eligibility: Graduate students and recent graduate degree holders seeking to gain knowledge of Asia through research, program implementation, and report preparation are invited to apply
- Award: Monthly stipend
- Deadline: April 12, 2010 (for summer program)
J.W. Saxe Memorial Fund
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students seeking support for an unpaid or low paying internship in the public service sector
- Award: $2,000
- Deadline: March 15, 2010
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
- Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors and first year graduate students studying business, law, engineering, political science or a related discipline to work with senior civilian and military personnel at Department of Defense
- Award: Competitively paid internship
- Deadline: March 15, 2009
Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
- Eligibility: Provides funding to sophomore and junior students as they prepare for a career with the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service
- Award: Tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and first year of graduate study. Students must attend a summer institute between their junior and senior years at a graduate school of public policy and international affairs participating in the Pickering program.
- Deadline: February 8, 2009
UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship
- Eligibility: First year, sophomore, junior and senior students who have not had many opportunities to travel abroad and who express an interest in international collaboration
- Award: Varies based on funds available and quality of applicants (expected to be around $2,500)
- Deadline: April 22, 2009
The Villers Fellowship
- Eligibility: Candidates must be authorized to work in the US, demonstrate a committment to social and health care justice advocacy and commit to mentoring at least one person over the course of their career.
- Award: Annual salary of $38,000 and excellent health care benefits.
- Deadline: January 15, 2010
The Wellstone Fellowship
- Eligibility: Candidates must demonstrate an interest in health care policy as a tool for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities and committment to social justice work.
- Award: Annual salary of $38,000 and excellent health care.
- Deadline: February 5, 2010
White House Fellows
- Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who have completed their undergraduate education and be working in their chosen professions. Fellows spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff.
- Award: Salary of approximately $100,000
- Deadline: February 1, 2010
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority
- Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, and senior students of color who would like to study issues relating to philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit organizations
- Award: $2,500 to $5,000
- Deadline: Spring: December 15, 2009; Summer: March 15, 2010; Fall: July 15, 2010
Fellowships in the Sciences
American Society for Microbiology: Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Eligibility: This fellowship aims to attract highly competitive students interested in pursuing graduate careers in microbiology.
- Award: Up to $4,000 in student stipend, a two-year ASM student membership, and up to $1,000 in travel support for students to attend the ASM General Meeting
- Deadline: February 1, 2010
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship provides funding to rising juniors and seniors who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, natural science, or engineering.
- Award: Up to $7,500 annually
- Deadline: January 29, 2010
Brown and Caldwell Scholarships: Minority Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: This scholarship aims to increase opportunities for future scientists and engineers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds.
- Award: An optional paid summer internship at a Brown and Caldwell office and a $3,000 scholarship to cover tuition for the following school year
- Deadline: March 1, 2010
DAAD: Summer Internships in Germany (RISE - Research Internships in Science and Engineering)
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students from the US, UK, and Canada work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 1.5 to 3 months during the summer.
- Award: All participants receive stipends from the DAAD to help cover living expenses, while partner universities and research institutes provide housing assistance.
- Deadline: December 7, 2009
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Sophomore, U.S. citizen, GPA 3.0, and majoring in a discipline related to oceanic and atmospheric science. This program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) prepares undergraduate students for a career in oceanic and atmospheric science.
- Award: Academic assistance up to $8,000 per academic year, a 10-week full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility and, if reappointed, academic assistance up to $8,000 for a second academic year
- Deadline: January 30, 2009
GEM Fellowship Program
- Eligibility: GEM's principal activity is the provision of graduate engineering fellowships at the MS and Ph.D. levels coupled with paid summer internships.
- Award: MS Engineering Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend over three semesters/four quarters, a minimum of two paid summer internships with a GEM Employer Member and waived tuition and fees at a GEM University; PhD Engineering/Science Fellows receive a $14,000 stipend in year 1 of the PhD program, GEM Member University support in years 2 - 5, a minimum of one paid summer internship with a GEM Employer Member, full tuition and fees at a GEM Member University
- Deadline: November 15 (annual)
Google Policy Fellowship
- Eligibility: First year, sophomore, junior, and senior students work at public interest organizations and conduct research and analysis, draft reports and attend conferences on issues related to the future of the Internet and its users
- Award: Stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks
- Deadline: December 12, 2008
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/General Motors Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Undergraduate Latino students pursuing degrees in Engineering and Business
- Award: $2,500 and opportunity for summer internship with General Motors
- Deadline: July 15, 2009
Josephine de Kármán Fellowship Trust
- Eligibility: Fellowships are available for seniors and students in the last year of a PhD program who have manifested exceptional ability and serious purpose in any discipline, though special consideration will be given to applications in the humanities.
- Award: Undergraduate students receive $14,000 and graduate students receive $22,000 during the course of an academic year
- Deadline: January 31, 2010
Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship
- Eligibility: This is a ten-week summer internship program dedicated to recruiting women and under-represented minorities who are matriculating in math, science, and engineering from an accredited college or university.
- Award: Stipend of $500/week for undergraduate students and $650/week for graduate students, travel costs to and from the host site; and travel costs to the site of the Technical Forum for presentations and awards
- Deadline: January 20, 2010
Microsoft Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who plan to pursue studies in computer science and related technical disciplines.
- Award: Scholars receive full or partial tuition awards and are required to apply for, and complete if offered, a salaried summer internship of 12 weeks or more at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington
- Deadline: February 1, 2010
Morris K. Udall Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment or to Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or to Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.
- Award: Up to $5,000 for tuition, room and board and other educational expenses. All Udall Scholars attend a four-day summer orientation in Tucson, Arizona.
- Deadline: March 2, 2010 (institutional deadline may be earlier - please check with Fellowships Office)
NASA Aeronautical Scholarship
- Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students interested in focusing on aeronautical research
- Award: Undergraduate students receive $15,000 for each school year, $10,000 summer internship at a NASA research center and two years of support; graduate students receive $35,000 stipend, $11,000 awarded each year, $10,000 summer internship at a NASA research center and two years of support
- Deadline: January 11, 2010
NASA LARSS Paid Internship Program
- Eligibility: This paid internship is open to full-time college students who are rising juniors and above, U.S. citizens, with a GPA of 3.0 and an interest in a discipline related to NASA's work. The summer session is a 10 week internship program.
- Award: Rising juniors and seniors receive a $5,000 scholarship and graduate students receive a $6,000 scholarship
- Deadline: February 1, 2010 (for summer session).
National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: First year, sophomore, and junior students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research
- Award: Up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses, renewable up to four years; 10 week paid summer research position at a NIH laboratory, full-time employment with the NIH after graduation
- Deadline: March 31, 2009
NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene Health Research Training Program
- Eligibility: This program provides undergraduate and graduate/professional students the opportunity to work on current public health issues under the close supervision of experienced professionals for 10 - 12 weeks during the summer and part time during the academic year
- Award: Financial aid is available on a limited basis
- Deadline: February 15, 2010
Pasteur Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Eligibility: American postdoctoral scientists who wish to pursue research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris
- Award: $70,000 annually
- Deadline: February 12, 2010
Pasteur Foundation Summer Internship Program
- Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, and senior students (U.S. citizens only) interested in biological sciences to spend 10 weeks during the summer researching at the Institut Pasteur
- Award: $400/week
- Deadline: December 18, 2009
The Piedmont Environmental Council Summer Environmental Fellowship Program
- Eligibility: College students and recent graduates interested in land conservation and land use issues to spend seven weeks during the summer working in the Virginia Piedmont area
- Award: Fellows receive local housing, a small stipend, and expenses for activities.
- Deadline: March 31, 2009
Steamboat Foundation Summer Scholars Program
- Eligibility:One junior student from Columbia University will be selected to be mentored by Columbia alumnus and renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Altchek, Attending Orthopedic Surgeon in the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The Scholar shadows Dr. Altchek in clinical consultations and surgical procedures and participates in clinical research projects by collaborating with other physicians and medical students.
- Award: Scholars receive a generous financial award
- Deadline: January 29, 2010
UNCF-Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards
- Eligibility: Applicants must be African American, US citizens, and in their junior year of college.
- Award: $35,000 and two summer research internships totaling $10,000
- Deadline: December 17, 2009
Additional Tips & Strategies
- Secure your internship first; many funding organizations require internship placement before providing funding
- Contact local Rotary, Lions, or Kiwanis clubs: Offer to do a presentation about your internship in addition to writing a request for funding.
- Friends & Family: Presenting information about your internship informs them of your goals and shows them how they can invest in your education/possible future career.
- Ask professors about subject-area specific funding.
- Do not hesitate to ask internship supervisors about the possibility of covering internship-related costs such as lunch and train/bus passes
- Prepare a sample budget to help you better understand your internship costs and needs for the summer. Items to include on your budget include housing, food, recurring travel costs (e.g. bus/subway fare, gas), one-time travel costs (round-trip flight), supplies, and other expenses (e.g. international phone calls).
- Secure a part-time job outside of your internship
- Columbia University Tutoring & Translation Agency (CUTTA)
- LionSHARE
- Temp Time, CCE listserv for temporary jobs (sign up in LionSHARE profile)
- Various city specific job listings such as Craigslist
Summer Housing Options
- Check local universities for discounted summer housing for students
- Check city-specific housing websites and local newspapers for summer sublets
- Ask your internship supervisor where past interns lived
- Arrange to room with friends who are interning in the same city
- Speak with family & friends who may have contacts in your internship location to see if they can recommend housing options
Here is a list of housing resources in some major U.S. cities:















