Internship Equity Fund

The Stony Brook University Internship Equity Fund offers financial support to undergraduate students participating in unpaid credit-bearing internship/research experiences. This funding can help cover expenses such as transportation, parking, childcare, housing, food, and other costs. Selected students may receive up to $3,000, distributed in one payment in the academic semester. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services handles the disbursement of funds. This funding is provided by SUNY to help alleviate financial barriers associated with unpaid opportunities. Applications will be accepted on a semesterly basis.

Internship Equity Fund Eligibility

To qualify for the Internship Equity Fund, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be matriculated in a degree program at Stony Brook University.
• Have completed at least one semester at Stony Brook University and hold U2, U3, or U4 standing.
• Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, with no active sanctions through the Academic Judiciary or the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards.
• Demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services.
• Students may apply for pre-eligibility for a potential stipend.
• International students are ineligible at this time.

Additional Eligibility Requirements & Restrictions

• Not all academic courses are eligible. Only approved credit-bearing internship or research courses qualify.
• Practicums, clinical placements, and student-teaching experiences are not eligible.
• Students must have begun their internship or research experience at the time of verification. Students who have not started are not eligible.

• Supervisor verification is required. Students whose supervisors do not verify their internship details will not receive the award.

*Practicums, clinical placements, and student-teaching experiences are not eligible because they are required components of academic programs and are necessary for degree completion, rather than optional experiential learning opportunities.

Application Process

1. Students apply through SBU’s Office of Financial Aid Scholarship Universe platform. After logging in, search for “Internship Equity Fund.”
2. Completed applications from qualified students will be reviewed and verified by Career Center staff to ensure all requirements are met.
3. A selection committee will evaluate applications and determine awards. Priority is given to:

 

Priority Consideration (Equity Focus)

As part of SUNY’s initiative to expand equitable access to unpaid experiential learning, applicants pursuing internship or research experiences in Humanities and Social Sciences, where unpaid opportunities are more common will receive additional priority consideration during the review process.

This supports SUNY’s broader efforts to ensure students across all disciplines can participate in high-impact experiential learning.

Timeline and Award Notification

Fall Internships

• Applications Open: September 1
• Deadline to Apply: October 16

Spring Internships

• Applications Open: December 22
• Deadline to Apply: February 16
  
  

Summer Internships

• Applications Open: TBD
• Deadline to Apply: TBD

Awards are distributed in one installment after all verification requirements are completed.

Requirements to Receive Payment

Recipients must complete the following steps:

• Sign the Stipend Agreement acceptance letter.
• Provide confirmation of their internship from their designated supervisor(s).
• Complete a mid-term evaluation and an end-of-term learning assessment.
• Complete the Internship Orientation, coordinated by the Career Center.
• Attend a Financial Wellness course. 

The selection committee includes representatives from the Career Center and relevant academic departments. Scholarship Universe will determine financial eligibility.

Additional Considerations

The Internship Equity Fund is not intended for:

• Employers seeking to subsidize intern wages or expenses.
• Political campaigns.
• Student clubs or organizational leadership positions.
• Fully remote internships.
• Short-term or project-based work.
• International travel or housing.

If You Have Questions

For questions regarding the Fund or application process, please contact:
Campus Internship Manager, Amy Paulino, at amy.paulino@stonybrook.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I qualify for the Internship Equity Fund (SUNY Stipend)?

  To qualify, you must:

  • Participate in an unpaid, credit-bearing internship or research experience
  • Demonstrate financial need via FAFSA
  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Be a matriculated U2–U4 undergraduate at Stony Brook University

  Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (international students are ineligible)
• When does the application open?

  Applications open each semester.

  For Spring 2025, the application opens December 22, 2025 and closes February 16, 2025.

• Where do I apply for the stipend?

  Apply through Scholarship Universe. If the application is not currently open, it will not appear on the platform.

• Why does my application say “Internal requirement managed by institution”?

  This message means you do not meet the financial-need requirement based on your FAFSA.
  
  Students who do not complete a FAFSA cannot apply.

• Can international students apply for the SUNY Stipend?

  No. International students are not eligible at this time. The stipend is only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who meet all other criteria.

• How will I receive the stipend?

  Your stipend will be posted to SOLAR and distributed as follows:

  • If you have direct deposit, funds will be deposited into your designated account.
  • If you do not have direct deposit, a check will be mailed to the address listed in SOLAR.
• How can I sign up for Direct Deposit?

  To enroll:

  1. Complete the Direct Deposit Form (State). You can find out more theiugh SBU Human Resources webite.
  2. Provide a bank letter with your routing number, account number, and account holder name, or submit a voided check.

  Submit the form in person to the Human Resources Office, Administrative Building (across from the Wang Center), Level 3, Room 390.

• Once I apply, what happens next?

   

  Your application undergoes a verification process:

  1. We verify your enrollment in a credit-bearing internship or research course through PeopleSoft.
  2. We contact your supervisor to confirm your internship or research participation.

  If selected, you will be added to a Brightspace course and notified of next steps.

• What happens if I fill out the application incorrectly?

  You may make corrections until the application deadline. After the deadline, no changes can be made.

• Can I receive the stipend more than once?

  No. Students may receive the Internship Equity Fund only once. 

• What is the FERPA release form?

  This SUNY-required form allows the university to share limited information with the donor about your experiential learning outcomes, including how the stipend supported your academic and professional development.

• When will I receive my stipend?

  The stipend is distributed in one installment after all verification steps are completed.
  This includes:

  • Supervisor confirmation of your internship or research participation
  • Verification of course enrollment
  • Submission of all required agreement forms

  Once these steps are completed, funds will be released through SOLAR.

• Can I apply if my internship is not with a traditional company?

  Yes. As long as your internship or research experience is unpaid and credit-bearing, you may apply — whether it is with a company, nonprofit organization, campus office, or academic research lab.

• What if I don’t meet the GPA requirement?
  You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to apply. Students who do not meet this requirement are not eligible for the stipend during that semester.
• Should I let my supervisor know I applied?

  Yes. Please notify your supervisor that they will receive a verification request.
  They must confirm:

  • Your participation in the internship or research
  • That the experience is unpaid

  Timely supervisor verification is required for award eligibility.

• What if I have more questions or need help with my application?

  For questions regarding the Fund or application process, please contact:
  Campus Internship Manager, Amy Paulino, at amy.paulino@stonybrook.edu.