2008 International Internship Stipends

What are they?

In the past, certain international internships have been off-limits to MSU students due to the high cost of travel to and from overseas venues. And while a number of reputable non-profit organizations (i.e., AIESEC) offer international internship opportunities, these programs frequently come with significant program fees which further discourage their use.

In an effort to encourage students to pursue a greater number of international internships, the IB Office is pleased to offer a limited number of stipends for students pursuing international internship work arranged either on their own or through a nonprofit partner.

How Much are they Worth?

Four $1,500 stipends will be offered for the Summer/Fall 2008 period. In the event more than four students apply, the stipends will be awarded to the four applicants who most closely conform to the eligibility requirements set forth below, which eligibility shall be determined in the absolute discretion of the IB Course Director.

All stipends may not be awarded, depending on the qualifications of applicants, in which case the disposition of the remaining stipend funds shall be made at the discretion of the IB Office.

How do I Qualify?

Students wishing to apply for the stipends must satisfy each of the following conditions to the reasonable satisfaction of the IB Office:

• Students must have a firm offer in hand (an offer letter will be required) or be able to demonstrate that an offer will be forthcoming in a reasonable period of time;

• The internship must be located outside of the United States;

• The Internship must satisfy the requirements of the IB program;

• The student must indicate that he or she would not be in a financial position to pursue the internship but for the stipend assistance; and

• The student must demonstrate that the stipend will be used to offset a "qualified expense", as defined below.

What is a Qualified Expense?

A "qualified expense" for which the international internship stipend will be applicable shall be defined as either: (a) the cost of un-reimbursed travel and/or lodging with respect to any unpaid internship or internship for which total compensation payable is less than US$1,000; or (b) program fees payable to a nonprofit organization with respect to its efforts in arranging a paid or unpaid internship.

Application and Deadline

Students wishing to apply for one of the stipends should submit a typed application attaching the offer letter and identifying, in clear headings: (a) the location and nature of the internship, (b) the qualified expenses for which the stipend would be applied, (c) the student's financial position with respect to those expenses (i.e., inability to pay or the existence of significant opportunity costs with respect to identified domestic internship opportunities), and (d) any other factors indicating the usefulness of the internship to the student's future career plans.

Applications must be tendered to Jeanne Tillman at the I.B. office no later than May 1, 2008. Application deadlines may be extended in special cases.