Frequently Asked Questions
Do students receive other financial aid in addition to the Summer Stay Scholarship to cover expenses other than tuition and fees?
Students who are awarded the Summer Stay Scholarship will receive up to $2,500 to pay your estimated summer cost of attendance not already covered by other gift aid. A $2,500 scholarship covers tuition for resident students and is a considerable amount toward tuition and fees for non-resident/international students.
Does the internship or research experience have to qualify for receiving academic credit?
Not all internships or research experiences will count as academic credit toward a student's degree. This will depend on faculty and departmental approval. If it is desired that the internship or research experience count as academic credit, the student should consult with their academic advisor. A possible example would be if an accounting student would like to complete an internship in the Bursar's Office, then it may qualify for three academic credits if approved by the accounting department. You may also want to look at classes like GS 19501, GS 29501, GS 39501, and HONR 29900 if conducting research and ENGL 49000 or ENTR 46000 if conducting an internship.
How many classes are covered by the scholarship?
As a Summer Stay Scholar you will complete at least nine credit hours.
Do students have to take a certain amount of credit hours as Summer Stay Scholars?
Yes. All students who are awarded the Summer Stay Scholarship will be required to enroll in and complete at least nine credit hours during the summer, from Purdue University main-campus.
What is the GPA requirement?
Students must have a 2.00 or higher GPA. For research experiences, students need a 3.00 or above.
Can a student do a summer study abroad while participating in Summer Stay Scholars?
Students who wish to participate in study abroad during summer may still qualify for Summer Stay Scholars. He or she will need to make the appropriate arrangements with the research or internship supervisor in order to ensure that the expectation of a minimum of 140 hours of work in the research or internship are completed before the end of summer. Additionally, the study abroad experience must be finished in time for the student to physically be in West Lafayette to take nine online or on-campus credits.
Are the Summer Stay research and internship experiences paid?
Not necessarily. It is not required that the internship or research experience be paid. However, some faculty or supervisors may have additional funding to pay students. If a student is paid, it is an agreement between the faculty/department and the student. The scholarship itself is limited to tuition and fees.
Can a student still complete an internship or research project if he or she does not receive the Summer Stay Scholarship?
Yes. If there is a good match between a student and an available internship or research project that is not filled by another student recipient of the scholarship, then it may be possible that non-Summer Stay students can pursue the opportunity. Students and faculty/supervisors are encouraged to still reach out to one another to determine details for the opportunity and we will help facilitate the initial conversation. Also, if a student knows of an internship or research experience that is not listed in the Summer Stay application, they are encouraged to contact faculty and staff to express their interest in being on-campus over the summer to gain experience. Many times, the only thing missing to create a customized opportunity based on a student's interests is proper communication between a faculty or staff member.
How will students be selected to receive the Summer Stay Scholarship?
Each eligible application will be reviewed by a committee comprised of Purdue faculty, staff, and supervisors of each research and internship experience. These individuals will decide on the best fit between the student and the internship or research opportunity.
What if a student qualifies for the scholarship but finds a research or internship experience that is not listed on the Summer Stay Scholars application?
A student would be able to select "other" in the list of experiences in the application and briefly describe how the experience they have lined up contributes to their Purdue studies and what they would be doing during the required 140 hours of work.
If selected, how long do I have to complete the 140 research or internship hours and how do I know the specific days/times of work?
Each supervisor of the research and internship experiences will be flexible with students, especially given the fact that you will also be taking classes. While it is up to each supervisor to ultimately create a schedule with the Summer Stay Scholars, the 140 hours must be completed during the Summer. Most supervisors will expect 10-12 hours of work each week in order to reach a total of 140 hours over the course of 12 weeks.
Who do I contact with questions about Summer Stay?
Inquiries via email can be sent to thinksummer@purdue.edu.
