College of Humanities and Social Sciences
students at career fair

CHSS Unpaid Internship Stipend

Purpose

We believe in the immense value of gaining professional experience. One way we support this is through our College of Humanities and Social Sciences “Unpaid Internship Stipend.”  We recognize that unpaid internships can present financial challenges and limit opportunities for who can participate. To help alleviate these burdens and encourage career experience, we are awarding a $1800 stipend to a select number of students to support them during their internship journey. To be considered, students are encouraged to apply. Applications for 2026 are now open!

Student Eligibility

  • Current degree-seeking undergraduate CHSS students who have an internship secured.
  • Internships can be for credit or not for credit.
  • All CHSS majors
  • Minimum 2.0 overall GPA (no rounding)
  • Students should be completing 120+ hours during the internship period
  • Internships should be at least 7 weeks in length
  • Virtual internships are eligible
  • Possess a Tax Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Who is not eligible?

  • Programs, such as volunteer or service vacations, will not be considered.
  • Students taking courses at CHSS/Montclair for one semester but seeking degrees from other universities are not eligible.
  • Previous winners of the Internship Stipend are not eligible. However, students who are not awarded a stipend may reapply.
  • Students interning at companies/organizations that do not follow Montclair’s non-discrimination EEO policy or ethical agreement are not eligible.
  • Students who are in Clinical 1 or 2 for Teacher Education

Application Materials

Student Application

Applicants will be required to upload the following documents for the application:

  • Employer Verification Letter*
  • Resume
  • Application Cover Letter

*Students who are in process of accepting an internship offer for Summer internships will have until May 1st to provide a copy of their employer verification letter.

Deadlines

Spring 2026 Applicants:

Students who are currently in an internship for Spring 2026 can apply for a Spring award.
Application deadline is Friday, March 6th, 2026.  Applicants will be notified mid-April of their status.

Summer 2026 Applicants:

Students who have secured an internship for Summer 2026 can apply for the Summer award.
Application deadline is Monday, April 13th, 2026.  Applicants will be notified late April/ early May of their status

Applications will not be reviewed until after the deadline. Questions will not be answered about specific applications. Incomplete or incorrect applications will be disqualified and will not be returned to you for revision.

Requirements of the internship position

  • Unpaid, but you may receive a stipend, meals, subway pass, etc.
  • The offer must be secured prior to being awarded stipend (an employer verification form is a required part of the application)
  • Must be a minimum of 120 hours
  • You must have defined duties and a specific supervisor

Academic credit

Students can earn academic credit but it is not required. (Non Co-op and Co-op students will be considered.) Contact chsscareer@montclair.edu if you have questions about earning academic credit for your internship.

Expectations of recipients

  • Students may be asked to serve on internship panels that the CHSS Career Services sponsors in the future.
  • Students will be asked to complete a survey rating their overall experience.
  • Students will be asked to provide a headshot, share a quote about your experience, and/or participate in other promotional activities. This helps us showcase the impact of the program and inspire future students.

What is the stipend amount?

$1800

Can I intern abroad?

  • An international internship must be coordinated through a Montclair State study abroad program, or you must be getting academic credit through a Montclair State internship course.
  • Awards for internships as part of Montclair State Study Abroad programs vary according to which program you choose.
  • Students working in summer internships abroad are encouraged to apply, however they must meet the same requirements in order to qualify.
  • Programs that require you to transfer your credits back to Montclair State are not eligible.

What is the selection process?

  • The application is selective, and applicants are not guaranteed a stipend on the basis of applying.
  • Our selection committee consists of the CHSS Student Services staff.
  • Multiple criteria, including GPA, financial need, quality and thoughtfulness of application answers, and faculty/staff recommendation are considered.
  • Financial need is considered, but not required.

How will I receive the money?

  • You will receive a one time stipend payment.
  • We will contact your supervisor to verify your internship offer/current enrollment before paying out stipend.
  • More information regarding payment will be sent out to recipients.

For questions about CHSS Unpaid Internship Stipend please contact chsscareer@montclair.edu