Wellesley College Funded Internship Opportunities
Wellesley College, widely acknowledged as the top women’s college in the world, provides numerous funded internship opportunities. These opportunities empower students to gain valuable experience in various fields. Wellesley College is one of the most academically challenging institutions of higher education in the country. The college offers both internship placements and internship grants. Wellesley College partners with approximately 80 distinct employer partners to provide a broad range of internship opportunities to students. Internships offered through these employer partners are referred to as "placements".
Exploring Internship Options
The Experiential Learning Browser allows students to search for all Wellesley-funded internships and grants. Students can apply for all Wellesley-funded internships and grants in Workday using Workday Application Instructions. It’s important to note that application deadlines vary by opportunity, so students should check the information sheet carefully. There are a few deadline exceptions (e.g., Wellesley in Washington closes Oct).
Internship Placements
Internship Placements are specific internships with one of Wellesley's employer partners. Students apply for a specific opportunity listed in the ELR browser, and if hired, the College pays them.
Internship Grants
Internship Grants are awards the College offers to students who find their own unpaid or underpaid internships. An underpaid internship is an internship that pays less than the College’s award amount. Students apply for all Wellesley grants during the application deadline listed on the corresponding information sheet.
Application Process
To ensure a successful application, students must carefully review the document requirements and be mindful when submitting their application into Workday, as incomplete applications (i.e., missing required documents) will not be accepted. Wellesley-funded internships are competitive, so students are encouraged to submit their strongest application.
Read also: Leadership at Wellesley
Application Support
Wellesley offers support to students through 1-1 or group events (e.g., Working Parties, Resume/Cover Letter Workshops, Preliminary Application reviews). Details can be found on the Application Support Webpage.
Modifying Applications
Students can make changes to their application after submission if the deadline hasn't passed and the application is still open in Workday.
Award Decisions
The timeline for award decisions varies by opportunity.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies by opportunity, so students should check the information sheet carefully. However, all students must be enrolled at the College in the 2025 Spring and Fall semesters or in a study abroad program (one semester or full-year). Opportunities skew toward sophomores and juniors, but some opportunities are also open to other class years.
Financial Aspects
Wellesley grants are typically about $5,000 for a full-time summer internship (i.e., 300 hours over 8-10 weeks). Wellesley-funded internship/grant awards vary by program/department but all are typically around $5,000 for a commitment of 300 hours (at least 30 hours per week) over an 8-10 week period. College funding is not intended to cover expenses for an entire summer or for time beyond the required 8-10 weeks. If you have outside funding that is less than the amount of a College award then the College can offer a partial stipend up to the total award amount.
Read also: Wellesley Tuition Guide
Taxes
Some students may have to pay taxes on their Wellesley internship award, depending on their citizenship and how they use the money.
Citizens
For citizens, the taxability is dependent upon how the funds are used. It is up to the students to determine if they have to report the income or not. To help students determine the taxability of these payments, the IRS issues Publication 970, “Tax Benefits for Education.” Click on this link to obtain a copy of Publication 970. are not taxed. Tax return to receive a refund.
NON-RESIDENT ALIENS
Stipends made to non-resident aliens are subject to a 14% federal tax withholding. Tax treaty provisions may allow non-resident aliens to claim exemption from federal tax withholding on teaching assistantships and fellowships. The IRS requires the College to report fellowship and scholarship payments to non-resident aliens on a 1042-S form. Non-resident aliens are required to file Form 1040NR each calendar year using the information provided on Form 1042-S. To help students determine the taxability of these payments the IRS issues Publication 970, “Tax Benefits for Education.” Click on this link to obtain a copy of Publication 970. Tax return to receive a refund.
Stipend Distribution
All summer internship awards are distributed in two separate installments via Workday: the full amount less $500 by mid-June after the pre-internship paperwork has been approved and $500 in September after the internship, Pathway requirements, and any additional requirements from the sponsoring department have been met. The first installment-the award amount less $500-is paid in the spring once you’ve completed your pre-internship paperwork and attended an Internship Kick-Off meeting. All Career Education Grants will be distributed in two separate installments via Workday: the full amount less $500 in mid-June and $500 in September once the internship and all Career Education summer requirements have been met.
Reduced Stipends
Internship sites and programs that include housing offer reduced summer stipends. The majority of these stipends range between $3,000-$3,500. If a student secures a paid internship after being accepted into the Career Education Grants Program, they may receive a reduced stipend, depending on their total salary. If a student is paid less than the total grant awarded, then the College can offer a partial payment up to the total grant amount awarded.
Read also: Your Guide to Wellesley Transfers
Budgeting
Budgeting will be essential this summer, especially if you are living away from home for the first time or residing in a high-rent city like Boston or NYC. Start building healthy habits now by planning ahead and looking for creative ways to stretch your money.
Internship Requirements and Policies
All Wellesley-funded internship opportunities adhere to these College Internship Policies which outline the work requirements, compensation structure, and expectations for communication and outside work/class conflicts.
Internship Duration and Timing
The College only funds internships that are at least 300 hours over 8-10 weeks and take place during the summer. Internships should be at least 30 hours per week during the internship period. Summer Internships funded by the College must take place in the summer time frame (i.e., begin after the last day of the spring term and end before the first day of the fall term).
Required Events and Assignments
All students in internships funded by the College must attend two required in-person Intern Kick-Off events in late spring. Students studying abroad in the spring will be provided an online version of these events. All students in internships funded by the College must attend a required in-person Intern Kick-Off event in late spring. Students must complete the Summer Internship Pathway assignments throughout the spring and summer along with any department/program specific requirements.
Supplemental Pay
Occasional evening or weekend roles (e.g., dog walking, babysitting) for supplemental pay during the internship period are allowed but students must limit this additional work to 10 hours or less and avoid positions that impact internship work hours so they can prioritize their internship commitment and their own health/wellness.
Early Withdrawal
Students who do not complete their Wellesley-funded internship for any reason may be asked to repay their stipend to the College (partial or full repayment). Students may also forfeit experiential learning units for the experience. We are aware that students may encounter extenuating circumstances that may necessitate a change in the internship start or end date.
Communication During the Internship Interview Process
Students under consideration for internship placement with an employer partner are expected to respond to requests for interviews within 24 hours, even if they decline the interview. Students who decline an interview must inform the Wellesley Internships Team of their withdrawal from the selection process.
Reneging an Offer
It is unacceptable to accept an internship offer from an employer and later decline it. It not only damages the relationship between the College and the employer but also negatively impacts future opportunities for Wellesley students.
International Internships
Entry/Exit Requirements
You are responsible for making sure you fulfill the entry/exit requirements for your country of destination; Wellesley Career Education cannot provide guidance on this beyond what is provided here.
Safety
Student travel is governed by the Student and Alumnae Travel Policy. All students interning internationally should review this policy to understand the requirement to follow all State Department Advisories for destination countries. If your destination country is rated by the State Department as a level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), you must obtain permission from the College’s International Safety Committee in order to travel. You must complete this petition and submit it to the International Safety Committee no later than April 15th.
Travel Documents
All students traveling abroad need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of return. It can take up to two months to obtain a passport, so apply early for new passports or renewals. Passport applications are processed in the Wellesley Post Office in the Village. citizens, more information about applying for a passport is available at www.travel.state.gov.
Pro Tip for International Interns
Before departing for an international internship, students should make two physical copies of ALL travel and personal identification documents (this includes but is not limited to passports, visas, driver's licenses, green cards, travel and medical insurance cards, and student IDs). and bring the other copy with them on their travels, but keep it separate from the original documents.
Specific Internship Programs
The Lumpkin Non-Profit Internships Program
The Lumpkin Non-Profit Internships Program offers students the opportunity to work in Boston-based non-profits geared toward social change and community engagement. The College partners with local organizations to offer human service internships. All current sophomores are eligible to apply for Lumpkin Non-Profit Internships. Students can apply for up to two internships (maximum) but they must submit two distinct applications in Workday. Application details are provided in each internship information sheet. Students under consideration for internship placement with an employer partner are expected to respond to requests for interviews within 24 hours, even if they decline the interview. Students who decline an interview must inform the Wellesley Internships Team of their withdrawal from the selection process. It is unacceptable to accept an internship offer from an employer and later decline it. It not only damages the relationship between the College and the employer but also negatively impacts future opportunities for Wellesley students. Students who do not complete their Wellesley-funded internship for any reason may be asked to repay their stipend to the College (partial or full repayment). We are aware that students may encounter extenuating circumstances that may necessitate a change in the internship start or end date.
Social Science Research Internships for Wellesley College Students
Each year, the Wellesley Centers for Women offers five to six paid internships to Wellesley College students through the Class of 1967 Internship Program. Throughout the academic year, students who participate in the program:
- Gain hands-on social science research experience under the mentorship of a WCW research scientist
- Contribute to ongoing research projects or design their own study related to gender equality, social justice, or human wellbeing
- Have the opportunity to co-author papers, attend conferences, present alongside their WCW mentor, or present at Wellesley's Tanner or Ruhlman conferences.
- Make a difference in the world through research and action
The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Throughout the academic year, interns are expected to work an average of 8-10 hours per week. Interns are asked to submit a final report. All positions have been filled for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in late spring 2026.
Finding Additional Opportunities
While the College supports hundreds of students through our funded internship programs, the opportunities to intern around the world are endless.
Identifying Interests
Choose a field(s) of interest and location(s). While openness and flexibility are great qualities, they can make an internship search overwhelming. Think about the topics that interest you (they could be related to your coursework, extracurricular activities, or personal background), and think about how they could be translated to a professional context. For example, if you love your history classes, consider an internship in a museum, archive, or research institution.
Networking and Research
Internships tend to be plentiful in big cities, but then, so is competition. Ask faculty and staff. Reach out to your former employers. Go directly to your peers. Many students find internships through personal connections via a friend, a family member, or even a friend’s family member. Consider government agencies and trade organizations. Read newspapers, magazines, journals, and online publications. Find out which organizations are in the news and why. Ultimately, it’s important to stay on top of trends and changes in your field.
Wellesley College: A Legacy of Empowering Women
Wellesley College was founded in 1870 by Pauline and Henry Fowle Durant. An impassioned believer in educational opportunity for women, Mr. Durant wanted to prepare them for “… great conflicts, for vast reforms in social life.” When they founded the College, Mr. Durant proclaimed: “Women can do the work. I give them the chance.” He was referring not only to the 314 students comprising the first class, who arrived on campus in 1875, but also to its initial staff of seven appointed professors and 14 teachers, all women but one. A number of student organizations and campus traditions that continue to contribute to Wellesley’s identity today were established during this early period, including Flower Sunday, Hooprolling, and Stepsinging. Alice Freeman Palmer succeeded President Howard six years after the College opened, furthering the high academic standards for which it was becoming known. A succession of remarkable women followed her, including Ellen Fitz Pendleton, class of 1886, who held the office for 25 years and directed the rebuilding of the campus after the catastrophic College Hall fire of 1914; Mildred McAfee Horton, director of WAVES during World War II; Margaret Clapp ’30, historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer; Ruth M. Adams, who served during the period that introduced exchange programs and continuing education; Barbara W. They are a community of changemakers fiercely dedicated to helping each new generation of students succeed.
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