Student Funding Opportunities

The below policies & procedures apply to funds distributed to students to support their completion of internship experiences.

Student Eligibility: Funding is available to degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be eligible to work in the applicable location, in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain in good standing throughout the internship. Additional, specific eligibility requirements are outlined for each funding source and may be subject to a check of your level of financial need determined by Villanova’s Office of Financial Assistance.

Internship and Employer Eligibility: The internship must meet the specific requirements for the nature of the internship outlined in the descriptions provided for each fund. Both U.S. and international internships should follow applicable employment laws in the host country. Villanova cannot determine whether any internship satisfies employment law criteria. Review committees may, in their discretion, require students who participate in this program with US-based internships to have their employer certify that they have reviewed and will abide by the US Department of Labor criteria established in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The following criteria serves as automatic disqualification for internship funding:

• Incomplete application at time of deadline, or submission of materials after the deadline
• Unsupervised internships
• Internship site or organization is owned or managed by member of intern’s family
• Inaccurate representation of internship or employer information
• Current, significant academic or disciplinary conduct violations
• Transferring or withdrawing from Villanova before or during the internship, or intent to transfer or withdraw from Villanova after the internship is completed

Selection Committee & Criteria: Applications will be reviewed by committees of Villanova faculty and staff who manage the funds. The review committees may consider the following factors: academic standing, disciplinary status, financial need (as determined by the Office of Financial Assistance), nature of the internship, and the connection between the internship and the applicant’s career interests. Students who have financial holds on their accounts with the Bursar’s office will need to clear those holds in order to receive funding.

Disbursement of Award: Awards will be distributed according to each fund’s specific disbursement schedule and in coordination with the Office of Financial Assistance and Bursar’s Office. Changes to the disbursement schedule of awards will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Once the funding is accepted, it is expected that a student will complete the internship experience as outlined within the application. Otherwise, funding may be withheld or be required to be returned to the University.
Should extenuating circumstances arise that may prevent a student from completing the internship, the student must follow the following procedures and guidelines :

• If extenuating circumstances arise, (e.g., a student has a life event or encounters significant difficulty completing an internship experience), the student should notify the Villanova official(s) who manage the internship funds within 1 week of that event or difficulty occurring.
• The Villanova official(s) managing the internship funds will work with the student to determine whether there are options to enable the student to continue the experience. Every effort will be made to support students in seeking a safe, high-quality internship experience.
• If a student completes 50% or more of internship experience prior to the disruption by extenuating circumstances, the student will be entitled to keep the full funding provided.
• If a student completes less than 50% of the internship experience prior to the disruption by extenuating circumstances, the student may be asked to pay a pro-rated refund, based on the amount of funds already received and the portion of the internship not completed (and payments of funds not already received by the student may be suspended or terminated). Students may be able to keep all funding if arrangements can be made that demonstrate the student will complete an alternate career experience, research or other work that is consistent with the goals and spirit of the original internship application that is acceptable to the Villanova official(s) managing the funds in their sole discretion.

Post-Internship Expectations: Following the completion of the internship, students must complete an evaluation reflecting on the internship’s impact on their academic and career goals. Acceptance of funds by a student constitutes agreement that Villanova may use the student’s name and likeness in materials related to the internship funds, unless the student timely submits to the Villanova official(s) managing the funds a written and signed request to opt out of such materials. Recipient further agrees to be available as requested for activities such as thank you letters, information sessions, and donor-recognition events.

Tax & Financial Aid Implications: Students are responsible for consulting with Office of Financial Assistance to estimate the impact, if any, of an internship award on their financial aid package. Students should consult a tax advisor for guidance regarding any federal and state income tax requirements which may apply. International Students should consult with the Office of International Students Services or a tax advisor for assistance regarding eligibility to work and tax requirements