PCIP Semester

Students receiving PCIP funding are expected to represent Pomona College with integrity in all off-campus conduct.  This includes abiding by the regulations and expectations (e.g. dress code, modes of communication, office conduct, etc.) set in place by your employer.

Please note: Per campus policy, students may receive funding from one stipend-based program (i.e. PCIP, SURP, Mellon-Mays, Humanities Studio, Beckman, departmental funding) OR work up to 12 hours per week in multiple student jobs on campus (i.e. teaching assistants).

Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Career Development Office.

Internship Eligibility

For PCIP Semester, internships must be unpaid.

The CDO uses the definition of internships provided by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE): 

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.

Internships should:

1. Provide “real-world” experience beyond the classroom.
2. Involve reciprocity, i.e., a mutually beneficial experience for both the student and the internship provider.
3. Include a high level of supervision, training, and mentoring.

Opportunities being considered for PCIP must either be labeled as “PCIP Eligible” on Handshake or be an opportunity with a company in an eligible industry.

Eligible industries include: Education (K-12 and Higher Education), Government (Local, State, and Federal), Healthcare (non-pharmaceuticals), Journalism, Law, Library Services, NGO, Non-Profit Organization, Performing and Fine Arts, Politics, Religious Work, and Research (non-7C affiliated). (See “Finding an Eligible Internship” below for more information)

New Internship Experience Each Semester

Students must have secured a new internship experience each semester they apply for funding.

• Students returning to the same employer, in the same position/role will not receiving funding.
• Students returning to the same employer, but in a new position/role or with increasing responsibility will be considered.

80 Hour Minimum

Students receiving PCIP funding are required to complete at least 80 hours at their internship over the course of the semester. Students & supervisors are encouraged to keep a log of hours completed.  

Students should also account for holidays, midterms, finals, and any other planned absences when creating their internship schedule with their supervisor(s).

Failure or refusal to complete the 80 hour minimum will result in termination of funding, loss of transcript notation, and will be considered in any future application for PCIP funding.

Semester Assignments in Canvas

Students receiving PCIP funding must complete all required program assignments (available via Canvas). 

Failure or refusal to submit timely, quality, PCIP assignments will result in the termination of funding, loss of transcript notation, and will be considered in any future application for PCIP funding.

Ineligible Opportunities

The following opportunities are ineligible for PCIP Semester funding:

• Paid opportunities
• Shadowing experiences
• Opportunities that are a requirement of a major/program (i.e. mandatory PPA internships for seniors in the fall semester)
• Opportunities where you’ll be receiving Pomona College course credit
• Opportunities where you’ll be receiving additional funding support (i.e. CDO Pre-Health Transportation Subsidy)
• Opportunities with any fee component (tuition, room/board, etc.)
• Independent projects with no supervision, program, or structure in place
• Non-credit courses or training programs
• Pomona College or other 7C-based opportunities (opportunities must be external & organized/administered by the employer/company/organization)
• Opportunities run by current undergraduate students
• Opportunities not meeting the eligibility requirements

Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for PCIP:

1. Completed at least one semester*
2. Must be enrolled full-time at Pomona College for respective PCIP Semester cycle.*
3. Good academic standing (not on academic probation)*
4. CPT eligible (applicable to F-1 International Students only); see International Student FAQs below for additional information
5. Secured an internship that is eligible for PCIP consideration

*These items will be verified by the Registrar’s Office.

Applying to “PCIP Eligible” Internships in Handshake

To find opportunities that have been pre-approved as eligible for PCIP consideration, visit Handshake and navigate to the jobs page and filter for the label “pcip eligible”.

To filter, select “All Filters” and at the bottom of the dialogue box, under “Labeled by your school” select “pcip eligible”.

Please Note: While these opportunities have been labeled as eligible for consideration, it is not guaranteed that your application will be awarded.

Sourcing Your Own Internship

If you are looking to find your own opportunity, it must with a company in an eligible industry.

Eligible industries include: Education (K-12 and Higher Education), Government (Local, State, and Federal), Healthcare (non-pharmaceuticals), Journalism, Law, Library Services, NGO, Non-Profit Organization, Performing and Fine Arts, Politics, Religious Work, and Research (non-7C affiliated).

Ineligible industries include: Private, for-profit consulting, finance/accounting, engineering, tech (including bio-tech/fin-tech, etc.), pharmaceuticals, and retail companies or organizations are not eligible. This includes start-up companies or organizations within these specified industries.

Eligibility Clarification: A company’s industry is a classification that groups organizations with similar activities together and within that company they may have a variety of job roles.

Example:

• Not eligible – A finance intern role for a private, for-profit company in the finance industry.
• Eligible – A finance intern role for a non-profit organization.

Unsure of where or how to start?

Make an appointment with an advisor in Handshake or attend regularly scheduled drop-ins.

You can also check out the interactive map of previous employers that have hired students in past semesters, visit the student opportunities dashboard.

The PCIP Semester application can be accessed via SurveyMonkey Apply and requires the following items:

• Résumé (the one used to apply to your internship opportunity)
• Cover Letter (the one used to apply to your internship opportunity)
• Video Interview (3-5 minutes in length, answering the following questions)
  • How did you find this opportunity and why did you choose to pursue it?
  • Explain what your major responsibilities during this opportunity will be. What will supervision look like?
  • How does this experience fit into your career goals?
  • How do you anticipate applying your liberal arts education to this experience?
• Official Offer Letter from Employer (non-negotiable; internships must be secured at time of application)

Refer to the How-to Use SurveyMonkey Apply guide for step-by-step instructions.

Students who are awarded PCIP will be required to submit the following funding documents to accept the award:

• W9/Sprintax Form
• Pomona College Direct Deposit Form
• Bank Documentation for Direct Deposit

Please Note:

• All materials must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply.
• All applications & associated materials will be reviewed by CDO staff.
• No late applications or materials will be reviewed. 

Fall 2024 Timeline

• Monday, July 29, 2024 – Application OPENS
• Sunday, August 18, 2024 – Application CLOSES in SurveyMonkey Apply at 11:59pm PT
• Friday, August 23, 2024 –  Application Status Student Announcement
• Friday, August 30, 2024 – Deadline to accept award offer and submit funding documents by 5:00pm PT

Internship hours for awarded students can begin August 26

Internship hours for awarded students must conclude December 1

Spring 2025 Timeline

• Monday, November 25, 2024 – Application OPENS
• Sunday, January 5, 2025 – Application CLOSES in SurveyMonkey Apply at 11:59pm PT*
• Friday, January 17, 2025 –  Application Status Student Announcement
• Friday, January 24, 2025 – Deadline to accept award offer and submit funding documents by 5:00pm PT

Internship hours for awarded students can begin January 21

Internship hours for awarded students must conclude April 30

*Our office will be closed during winter break from December 23, 2024 through January 3, 2025. Please ensure to plan accordingly with questions and inquiries. 

Students stipend awards will be determined by modality:

• $1,200 for remote
• $1,500 for hybrid
• $1,800 for in-person 

All PCIP funding is disbursed via direct deposit and contingent on students completing required internship hours & semester assignments. Please note that PCIP funding is not intended to replace wages. Instead, the funding is meant to help alleviate supplemental costs associated with pursuing an unpaid internship during the course of the semester.

Tax Implications: Based on the size of your stipend and the items you spend the money on, there may be tax implications. The IRS considers the award as income to the recipient. When filing tax returns, it may be required to report the amount of the award. Please consult a tax professional with any questions or assistance. Visit the Financial Aid website to learn more.

Students with a demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, may be eligible for additional funds.

Students must first secure an opportunity in order to apply to PCIP, as an offer letter is a required part of the application.

Your offer letter must include the following:

• Be on official letterhead
• Be signed & dated by a company representative
• Include your full name (first and last name)
• State your start date and end date
• State the expected number of internship hours to be completed during this time
• State that your internship is unpaid
• Clearly indicate the modality of your experience (in person, hybrid, or remote)
  • For in-person internships, we ask that employers offer you the flexibility to work remotely, if needed. This option should be indicated in your offer letter.

If you do not have an official offer letter at this time, we will accept an email screenshot/PDF containing the same information above.