"Doing an internship abroad is much more hands-on than anything you might learn at your own university. You truly experience a job rather than study it. You're presented with real responsibilities... On top of that, you're living in a different country, gaining insight into cultural views and business perspectives." - Zeke, LSA International Scholarship Intern, Summer 2022
A great internship can help make lasting connections and propel your post-graduation job search. Along with earning your LSA degree, you will have gained valuable skills and experience that may put you ahead of other job candidates.
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. All our internship scholarships are donor-funded and based on financial need. If you're planning to spend your LSA internship abroad read on for more information and how to apply.
Our International Internship Scholarship application has changed!
The LSA International Internship Scholarship will be awarded in partnership with the internship programs offered through the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS). 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 an internship based in the United States, please view the LSA Internship Scholarship (U.S.-based) page for more information.
What does the Scholarship cover?
An LSA Scholarship supports LSA students who intern abroad through a Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) internship program. Scholarship funds help offset or cover internship-specific expenses and the total cost of attendance associated with participating in an international internship through CGIS.
Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Program fee (please see the budget sheet for each internship program on MCompass)
- Travel for Airfare and transportation to your destination
- GeoBlue U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance
- Commuting on workdays
- Housing
- Food
- Professional clothing
Award Amounts
LSA International Internship Scholarship awards vary in amount depending on the cost of a student's internship experience, and a student's demonstrated level of financial need. We cannot award funds beyond what a student's aid package allows.
*If a student does not receive credit for their internship program, their scholarship may be retroactively canceled. The student may be responsible for paying back the entire amount of the scholarship and this may impact their eligibility to receive LSA Scholarship support in the future.
Application Deadline
The LSA Internship Scholarship application is open December 2 – March 1.
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.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the LSA International Internship Scholarship, a student must:
- Be participating on an internship program through the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) and be listed on their program’s roster
- Be an undergraduate currently enrolled full-time and pursuing a degree program (or MDDP) in the College of LSA
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (i.e., possess a green card)
- Have applied for and received need-based aid through the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) for the current academic year
- Have a CSS Profile and current-year FAFSA on file with the Office of Financial Aid (OFA)*
- Return to LSA as an enrolled undergraduate student in the fall term following the internship
*Financial assistance from all sources during the academic year (September through August) factors into the ongoing review of your financial aid eligibility now and in the future. If your total financial aid, including any new offer, exceeds your eligibility for financial assistance this academic year, your aid may be limited in a future term or reduced from previously received assistance. You can learn more about financial aid terms and conditions on the Office of Financial Aid's website.
Scholarship Requirements
Some of these activities must be completed before our office will disburse scholarship funding to recipients. Others will be required of students either during or after their internship experience.
- Apply for and be accepted into a CGIS internship program, which offers an internship that consists of an 8+ week placement and a 3-credit internship seminar.
- Notify LSA Scholarships staff of additional internship funding
- Receive credit (letter or CR grade) for the internship seminar taken through their CGIS International Internship program**
**If a student does not receive credit (CR grade) for their CGIS International Internship program, their scholarship may be retroactively cancelled. The student may be responsible for paying back the entire amount of the scholarship and this may impact their eligibility to receive LSA Scholarship support in the future.
Internship Registration
All LSA International Internship Scholarship applicants must register for a Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship program*.
This step must be completed before our team, LSA Scholarships, can review a student's LSA Internship Scholarship application.If you have any questions about enrolling, please contact a CGIS International Internship Advisor for assistance.
Post-Award Requirements
LSA Internship Scholarship recipients who receive additional funding towards their internship (departmental scholarships, external funding, etc.) 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.
How do I apply?
At the same time as registering with CGIS for your International Internship, complete the general application through the LSA Scholarships application portal. Click on the “Apply For Scholarship Here” button below. When asked which scholarship program you are applying to, click the box for "LSA Internship Scholarship."
Note: If you have already completed the general application—this is common for students who apply for multiple scholarships each year—simply check the box for the LSA Internship Scholarship and save your application. Do not uncheck any of the other boxes or change any of your previous responses, as doing so may impact other active applications you currently have in the portal.
Once the general application has been completed and submitted/updated, you will then be directed to complete the LSA Internship Scholarship application. Submit this application for full consideration.
If you have any questions about the scholarship application process, please contact us, or schedule an appointment.