The Work Exemption Program (WEP) is part of the enhanced financial aid program announced last spring for undergraduate students in Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The program is designed to enable financial aid recipients to take advantage of such unpaid opportunities as internships, research projects, and community outreach, locally, nationally, and internationally.

We are pleased to make opportunities available that enable students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to extend their co-curricular educational experience. We are also grateful to the many alumni and friends whose continued generosity makes this initiative possible and who contribute immeasurably to the enrichment of the undergraduate experience in the College and SEAS.

Students have the option of applying for exemption from the summer savings portion of their financial aid package as well as their academic year work expectations if they are engaged in unpaid activities such as those listed above. The application process for the Work Exemption Program is being jointly managed by the Center for Career Education and the Division of Student Affairs.

Application Timeline

Sunday, December 13th 2009
Applications for Fall 2009 WEP Program must be submitted in full to Lionshare

December 14th, 2009 - December 18th, 2009
Applications will be reviewed by the Work Exemption Program (WEP) Committee

Week of December 21st 2009
Applicants will be notified of their status in program (accepted or declined)

Requirements

1. Student of Columbia College or The Fu School of Engineering and Applied Science
2. Good academic standing with at least a 3.0 G.P.A.
3. Recipient of Columbia financial aid with an earnings expectation as part of their financial aid package
4. Secured an unpaid internship, research opportunity or volunteer opportunity
5. Ability to attend two events
   • A Professional Development Workshop (early February 2010) - This workshop will help students learn important skills and tips to succeed in experiential opportunity including how to initiate projects and responsibilities, working on a team, learning how to manage your supervisor and how to network for your own professional development
   • Formal reflection from student (end of May 2010)

How to Apply

To apply for the program, students must provide the following:

1. Download and complete application form.
   Please note that the application has five sections and multiple attachments.
2. Upload a Resume and Unofficial transcript to LionSHARE.*
   Please refer to the On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) section of LionSHARE in order to apply to WEP; in order to get access to OCR, you must complete the Policies and Procedures form. Once you have OCR access and are logged into LionSHARE, go to the On-Campus Recruiting section (top of the screen to the right of the "Job Search" tab) and click on "Apply for schedules I qualify for" and search "WEP" or “Work Exemption Program” “in the "Job Title" box to apply.
   
   *Note: It takes up to 48 hours to receive access and you must have a resume uploaded into the system to in order to be able to apply to a position (i.e., see the "Apply now" link).

Contact Information

If you have any further questions not addressed here, please email Heather Perceval at hjc2105@columbia.edu or 212-854-4952. For any financial aid specific questions, please contact Kathryn Tuman at kat56@columbia.edu or 212-854-6461

Resources

There are countless unpaid internship, research and volunteer opportunities in the New York City Area. Below is a small sampling of suggested opportunities to help you get your search started.

Center for Community Health and Education
College of Dental Medicine
Columbia Community Service
Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Columbia University Medical Center Special Emphasis Health Programs and Centers
Community Impact
Double Discovery Center
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science - Harlem Robotics League
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science - GK12 Community Fellowship Program and Community Engagement Internships
Harlem Arts Alliance
Northern Manhattan Community Voices