Funding Opportunities to Support Experiential Learning

At the Life and Career Design Institute, we understand the immense value of experiential learning. We firmly believe that engaging in hands-on learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting enriches and contextualizes theoretical knowledge. Participating in internships, research opportunities, and experiential learning programs is crucial for preparing students for their future endeavors. These hands-on experiences provide practical insights and skills that go beyond what is learned in a lecture hall. To facilitate and encourage experiential learning, Wheaton College proudly offers various funding opportunities. These initiatives are designed to empower students to explore, apply, and deepen their understanding through real-world experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

Students must be in good academic standing and good social standing to receive funding. Academic standing means not being on academic suspension, and social standing involves having no student conduct violations resulting in probation or suspension. It’s crucial to note that all funded opportunities are considered college-sponsored programs and are subject to all college policies regarding international and domestic travel.

Types of Funding

There are three categories of funding: Guaranteed Funding (eligibility-based), Competitive Funding and Career Development Grants. Below, we outline each type of funding, including eligibility criteria, applicable restrictions, and information on how to apply or access the funds.

Annual deadlines and links to applications for all funding can be found in the Resource Guide in Handshake. We encourage you to explore these funding opportunities and make the most of your experiential learning journey at Wheaton College.

1. Guaranteed Funding (Eligibility-based)

This funding is designed to support students engaged in summer out-of-classroom learning experiences. Qualifying experiences include: unpaid domestic or international non-credit bearing internships, service/volunteer work or guided/structured research. Students may access these funds during the summer between their sophomore and junior year or their junior and senior year. Notably, this funding is not available during the academic year or the summer after the student’s freshman or senior year. This funding is awarded once during a student’s time at Wheaton, students who do not use their full amount will forfeit the balance .

Merit Scholarship Stipends
      • Trustee Scholars, Balfour Scholars, Community Scholars, and Regional Scholars are recognized as top-performing students.
      • Merit Scholarships are awarded for strong academic performance, demonstrated extracurricular involvement, and/or community service upon admission to Wheaton.
      • The stipends affiliated with Merit Scholarships can also be used for the BU semester-long internship program or faculty-led trips.
      • Stipend amounts range from $3,000 – $4,000 and vary by scholarship type.
      • In order to receive the maximum stipend; students must complete at least 240 hours of work over the course of the summer. Prorated stipends are awarded for fewer hours.

NOTE: To see if you are a merit scholar, go to InsideWheaton > Student and Financial Records > Financial Records > Financial Aid Status > Award History

Wheaton Edge
      • Available to students who are not Merit Scholars and have not received major Wheaton Summer Fellowships (e.g., Davis International Fellowship, Porter Cleveland Fellowships, and Mars Faculty-Student Research Grants).
      • Stipend amounts range from $2,000 – $3,000 based on the number of hours. Amounts are established based on the number of hours worked:

160 – 199 hours = $2,000
200 – 239 hours = $2,500
240+ hours = $3,000

Application Process (For both Merit Scholarships and Wheaton Edge:)

      • Students must first secure an experience prior to applying.
      • Applications open each year in February and remains open through the end of May
      • Initial application review begins in April and continues until the application closes. Late applications are not accepted.
      • The online application requires the submission of a resume, memorandum of understanding (MOU) completed by the supervisor and a 3-4 page purpose statement.
      • After the experience, submit a supervisor evaluation, a reflection essay, photos and develop a poster presentation for the Internship Showcase.

2. Competitive Funding 

This funding is awarded through a competitive application process for winter break (Winternship Funding) or summer (Davis International Fellowship and Porter Cleveland Fellowship) out-of-classroom learning experiences.

Winternship Funding
      • Students participating in internships or faculty-led research projects over winter break are eligible to apply for this funding.
      • All class years are eligible to apply.
      • The stipend amount is $600.

Application Process:

      • Secure a winter break experience for a minimum of 40 hours prior to applying
      • Applications open each year in October and remain open through December 1st. Late applications are not accepted.
      • The online application requires the submission of a resume, memorandum of understanding (MOU) completed by the supervisor and a 3-4 page purpose statement.
      • After the experience, submit a supervisor evaluation, a reflection essay, photos and develop a poster presentation for the Internship Showcase.
Davis international Fellowship
      • Established in 1994 through an endowed gift from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, the Davis International Fellowship is designed to help students undertake educationally meaningful international experiences that link to academic or career interests.
      • Students may apply for the summer after their sophomore or junior years.
      • Recipients receive a $5,000 stipend to support experiences of 6-8 weeks during the summer.
      • The stipend may be used to cover travel and living expenses, as well as preparatory costs such as immunizations, passport and visa fees.
      • Your scholar stipend can be applied to a range of non-credit bearing, unpaid out-of-class learning experiences including internships, research, student-faculty collaborations, professional development activities and community service endeavors.
      • Students may only receive this fellowship once during their Wheaton career.
      • For merit scholars who have not yet used their merit scholarship, the funding must first come from the merit scholarship. The remaining balance will then be taken from the Davis fellowship.

Application Process:

      • Students must first secure an experience prior to applying.
      • Applications open each year in February with a due date in mid-April. Late applications are not accepted.
      • The online application requires the submission of a resume, memorandum of understanding (MOU) completed by the supervisor and a 3-4 page purpose statement.
      • After the experience, submit a supervisor evaluation, a reflection essay, photos and develop a poster presentation for the Internship Showcase.
Porter Cleveland Fellowship
      • Established in 2005 in honor of Nancy Lyon Porter ’43 because of a generous gift from the Porter family through the Cleveland Foundation. Nancy Porter’s daughter, former Wheaton College Trustee Elizabeth Porter Daane ’77 worked hard to facilitate this gift and establish this program, a fitting tribute to her mother’s lifetime commitment to community service. Both Elizabeth and her mother felt their experiences at Wheaton shaped the people they became.
      • The Porter Cleveland Fellows Program provides summer funding ($3500 plus paid housing at Case Western Reserve University) for students to intern/volunteer with a community-based organization in Cleveland, Ohio.
      • Porter Cleveland Fellows are also incorporated into the activities of the Cleveland Foundation Internship Program.
      • All class years are eligible to apply.

Application Process:

      • Students must first secure an experience prior to applying.
      • Applications open each year in February and are reviewed throughout the spring semester on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of late February.
      • The online application requires the submission of a resume, memorandum of understanding (MOU) completed by the supervisor and a 3-4 page purpose statement.
      • After the experience, submit a supervisor evaluation, a reflection essay, photos and develop a poster presentation for the Internship Showcase.

3. Year-Round Career Development Grants

Wagner Professional Development Program Overview

The Wagner Professional Development Program was created to help currently enrolled students defray the costs associated with off-campus career-related activities including travel costs associated with:

Conference Attendance
      • Purpose: To support students attending professional conferences.
      • Eligibility: Open to all class years.
      • Expenses Covered: Conference fees, travel, lodging, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.
      • Funding Limitations: Stipends vary based on expected expenses and may not cover all costs.
      • Reimbursement: Stipends paid at the conclusion of the conference – students must submit receipts.
      • Restrictions: Stipends cannot be used for non-conference-related expenses.
Internship Travel (for academic term internships)
      • Purpose: To help students defray the travel  costs associated with off-campus internships.
      • Eligibility: Open to all class years.
      • Expenses Covered: Travel Reimbursement: Students will be reimbursed for travel to and from the internship site and any travel made as a function of the internship at the IRS rate of 67 cents per mile.
      • Reimbursement: Stipends paid at the conclusion of the internship – students must submit receipts.
International Program Travel
      • Purpose: To assist students in covering travel costs for international internships connected to national fellowships.
      • Eligibility: Available to enrolled first-years, sophomores, and juniors.
      • Expenses Covered:  Travel expenses related to travel to and from the international internship site.
      • Reimbursement: Stipends paid at the conclusion of the internship – students must submit receipts.
      • Travel Restrictions: Approval required for travel to countries on the U.S. State Department Warning List or U.S. Centers for Disease Control Travel Warning List.

General Information

    • Submissions: On a rolling basis.
    • Students may apply for one grant per year.
    • Funding decisions based on available funds.