Navigating LSA Internship Scholarship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Internships provide invaluable hands-on experience and can significantly enhance a student's prospects in the job market. The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan offers internship scholarships to help students pursue these opportunities, regardless of their financial background. This article provides a detailed overview of the various LSA internship scholarships, their eligibility requirements, and the application process.

LSA Internship Scholarships: An Overview

LSA offers several internship scholarships, each with specific criteria and focuses. These scholarships are primarily donor-funded and awarded based on financial need. They aim to support LSA students in gaining practical experience in their chosen fields. A great internship can help make lasting connections and propel your post-graduation job search. Thanks to generous donations from U-M alumni and supporters, LSA Internship Scholarships can help make these life-changing opportunities a reality for students, regardless of background or financial resources. We've previously awarded more than $1 million to LSA students participating in internships.

LSA International Internship Scholarship

This scholarship supports LSA students participating in Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship programs. Internships not sourced through one of the CGIS International Internship programs, including those posted on LSA Engage, are not eligible for this funding opportunity. If you are participating in a CGIS Study Abroad program that includes an internship component, please visit the LSA Study Abroad Scholarship page to apply.

Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) Undergraduate Internship Scholarship

The Center for Japanese Studies provides a limited number of scholarships for undergraduate students who will participate in a summer internship with Japan-affiliated organizations. Approximately five to seven scholarships are awarded on a merit-basis in an annual competition each spring.

UMSI Internship Funding

The School of Information (UMSI) provides grants for unpaid or underpaid internships.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

Business + Impact Internship Funding

The Ross School of Business supports social impact and nonprofit internships.

General Eligibility Requirements for LSA Internship Scholarships

While specific requirements vary depending on the scholarship, some general criteria apply to most LSA internship scholarships:

Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate degree students at the University of Michigan. Applicants must remain an undergraduate degree student at the University of Michigan during the period of the internship. Graduating seniors may not apply for a scholarship to participate in an internship following graduation.
Financial Need: All LSA internship scholarships are donor funded and based on financial need. Applicants must have applied for and receive need-based aid through the Office of Financial Aid. They must also have a current FAFSA and completed CSS profile with the Office of Financial Aid.
Credit Requirement: Students must receive credit (letter or CR grade) for ALA 225: Undergraduate Internship Course through the LSA Opportunity Hub. If a student does not receive credit (CR grade) for ALA 225, their scholarship may be retroactively canceled.
Citizenship: Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (i.e. possess a green card).
Disclosure of Additional Funding: LSA Internship Scholarship recipients who receive additional funding (departmental scholarships, external funding, etc.) during the Spring/Summer must inform the LSA Scholarships Office immediately. LSA Internship Scholarships are tied to an assessment of a student's financial need. Failure to disclose additional funding may negatively impact a student's overall aid and result in unexpected charges on your student account. Informing us in advance will help us ensure our scholarship award does not exceed the funding allowed by your financial aid package as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Specific Scholarship Requirements: A Closer Look

Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) Undergraduate Internship Scholarship Requirements

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, the CJS Undergraduate Internship Scholarship has specific criteria related to the internship itself:

Internship Focus: Recipients must participate in an eligible internship. Internship must be located in Japan, or be explicitly involved with work pertaining to Japan.
Organization Type: Internship must be with a reputable government, for-profit, or non-profit organization in Japan. Both unpaid and paid internships are eligible.
Internship Length: The length of the internship must be at least 6 weeks.
Time Commitment: Students must devote at least 75% of their time (normal work hours) during the internship period to the internship position.
Internship Type: Internship may be for academic credit or not for credit. Independent research and volunteer activities are not eligible.

Important Note: It is the responsibility of the student to find the appropriate summer internship position, to complete the necessary application and to secure a position offer. For assistance in finding an appropriate position, contact the LSA International Internships Program, the International Programs in Engineering, the U-M Career Center, or the Engineering Career Resource Center.

Applying for the CJS Undergraduate Internship Scholarship

To apply for the CJS Undergraduate Internship Scholarship, students need to submit the following:

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide

Application Form: Complete the online application form. To start your application, go to the U-M International Institute Fellowships and Grants online portal and look for the CJS UG Internship Scholarship application.
Statement of Purpose: Please write a concise and coherent essay of no more than 1,000 words. Please explain why you want to participate in an internship in Japan and how this experience will contribute toward your overall academic and career goals. Please double-space and put your full name and UM ID at the beginning of the statement.
Résumé: Please provide a current résumé. If you are not sure how to put a résumé together, please consult the UM Career Center for assistance.
Two Academic Letters of Recommendation: Please ask two people who know you well and can speak to your academic interests and abilities. Letters from course instructors, GSIs and academic advisors are acceptable. Recommendation must be completed by someone affiliated with UM. Only one of the two recommendation may be completed by a language instructor; at least one letter must be completed by an instructor of a content course (e.g., history, literature, anthropology, political science, engineering, business, art, etc.).
Current UM Official Transcript: Please check the appropriate box on the Application Form to grant permission to CJS to access your academic record on Wolverine Access and put a copy in your application file (this is the preferred method).
Copy of Letter of Acceptance: Copy of letter of acceptance for the internship (if available), or proof of application submission (such as confirmation of application receipt).

CJS Undergraduate Internship Scholarship Award Details

Approximately 5-7 awards per year will be made.
Maximum award amount is $5,000 for international internships, and $1,500 for domestic internships.
Award amount may not exceed the actual cost of transportation, housing, and food during the internship.
Scholarship may only be used to cover expenses associated with the internship, such as airfare, housing, commuting, and food.
Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic merit by the Center for Japanese Studies Admissions and Fellowships Committee.
International students may be subject to income tax withholding on the scholarship amount. Please consult the International Center if you have any questions.

Important Dates for CJS Undergraduate Internship Scholarship

Application Deadline: March 1 for internships taking place during the spring-summer term (May 1 to August 31) of the same year. Late applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Awards Announcement: Awards will be announced in late April.

LSA International Internship Scholarship Application

The LSA International Internship Scholarship application is open October 1, 2025 - March 7, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST, March 7, 2026. Students should apply at the same time that they apply for their CGIS program. If you are unsure which program you will attend, you can apply for multiple eligible programs. The scholarship award will apply to whichever program you enroll in. Applications will be reviewed once the Office of Financial Aid has packaged students for the Spring Summer 2026 term.

Sage Corps Program

Sage Corps is another internship option, though it is not an average 9-5 internship experience. During this 8-week program, you’ll work full-time at a startup to build real solutions to real problems. Choose from 7 global cities including locations like Barcelona and Sydney. We design our programs to teach students valuable skills for trending jobs. First, students complete hard skill training modules as part of our Sage Corps Skills Academy. Next, students intern at global startups where they gain real-world experience, either in-person with a cohort. Upon arrival you will attend an orientation with your cohort and Sage Corps City Manager. Throughout the program, you’ll attend cultural activities to immerse you in the local community.

Independent students may still seek outside scholarships not affiliated with U-M.

Important Dates for Sage Corps Program

Priority Deadline: February 1, 2026 Apply early for your best chance at securing your first-choice location (Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris fill fast).
Final CGIS Deadline: March 1, 2026 After this date, students may only apply independently (no credit, aid, or scholarships). CGIS applicants who apply on March 1 must complete interviews by March 6, 2026.
Location Confirmation Deadline: March 15, 2026 CGIS students must finalize their program location by this date.

Credits for Sage Corps Program

Earn 3 or 6 credits (registered as INTABRD 302 if applying through CGIS**).
Graded (not pass/fail); LSA grades factor into GPA.
Students outside LSA (Ross, Engineering, etc.) should confirm credit transfer and applicability with their advisor.

Independent Applicants for Sage Corps Program

If you participate independently, you can still request to take the Trinity College credit course through Sage Corps. Credits may be transferred back to U-M only with your college’s approval, and the process is handled separately from CGIS.

Transcript Fee: A transcript processing fee will apply (typically around $450 for 3 credits or $750 for 6 credits, based on previous years). The exact 2026 fee will be confirmed closer to the program start date.

Read also: Internship Opportunities

Note: To receive your transcript from Trinity, you must order one at the end of the program.

Application Strategies and Tips

Start Early: Begin your internship search and scholarship application process well in advance of the deadlines.
Craft a Compelling Statement of Purpose: Clearly articulate your reasons for pursuing the internship and how it aligns with your academic and career aspirations.
Seek Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request recommendations from individuals who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities and potential.
Pay Attention to Detail: Ensure your application is complete, accurate, and free of errors.
Explore All Funding Options: If eligible, students must also apply to the LSA Internship Scholarship, CoE International Internship Scholarship Program and/or other internship scholarships offered by their home school and/or department.

What if You Don't Qualify?

For many LSA students, pursuing a Spring/Summer internship is an ideal way to gain valuable, hands-on experience in their field of interest. Combined with your degree from the College of LSA, a great internship experience can help you stand out from the crowd during your post-graduation job search and boost your potential for success.

Supporting the LSA Internship Scholarship Fund

As a student in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan, I chose not to intern because public sector jobs often came with unreasonable costs and low or no pay. Today, I have the opportunity to provide LSA students with scholarship awards as large as $5,000 to pursue their passions regardless the industry, city, or pay. If you would like to participate in today's philanthropic initiative, please consider supporting students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts by participating in #GivingBlueDay and donating to the LSA Internship Scholarship Fund. If you would like to participate, but are unable to commit a monetary donation, please consider promoting your company's internship opportunities via the LSA Internship Network! Thanks to generous donations from U-M alums and supporters, the LSA Internship Scholarship can help make these life-changing internship opportunities a reality for all students, regardless of their circumstances.

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