Who is eligible?
Currently enrolled foundation, sophomore, junior, and 1st year graduate MICA students.
Seniors and one-year graduate students are ineligible because they will not be actively enrolled at the time of the summer internship.
Open Studies graduate programs are not eligible
Student who is actively enrolled at the time of their application and also in the fall semester following the internship
Good academic (2.5 GPA) and community standing with the College.
Review all eligibility on the Creative Entrepreneurship Fellowship page.
Are MA, MPS, and MA/MBA graduate students eligible?
No. For-credit internships do not fit in these graduate programs' degree plans, and therefore MA, MPS, and MA/MBA students are not eligible for internship fellowship awards. MA students' programs conclude after two semesters, and they will not be enrolled during the summer.
I'm graduating in the spring. Am I eligible to apply?
If you are graduating before the summer internship you are not eligible to apply because you are no longer an actively enrolled student of MICA.
Will you accept late applications?
Incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted.
Why is the deadline so early? I will not know if I got the internship until after the deadline.
There are many factors that we consider when setting the Internship Fellowship deadline. We have to find a balance between allowing students as much time as possible to secure their internships, and also supporting those who have plans to travel in early May. We are also limited by MICA's budget year cycle and have to distribute all funding by June 30.
If all funding is not distributed with our initial review of applications, we will open a second application round, and review applications in the order in which they were received. The second round due date is typically early to mid June, but may close early if/when all funding is allocated.
What type of internship experiences qualify as entrepreneurial?
There are many internship sites that quality for this funding opportunity including working with a freelancer, small business/non-profit owner, start-up founder, artist/designer studio and/or business operation manager. The main goal of this internship should be to learn the business operations of a creative enterprise. The majority of your daily tasks and learning opportunities should be experiencing day-to-day business practices.
Are the Community Partner or CE Studio Internships the only opportunities to receive a Creative Entrepreneurship Internship Fellowship?
Nope! These are are just more entrepreneurial opportunities to choose from! Students who find their own entrepreneurial internships will still be eligible for the fellowship funds.
My major requires me to complete a for-credit internship. Will a business/entrepreneurial internship count toward that requirement?
Most likely. Your department chair decides if an internship will fulfill your degree program requirement. Talk to your chair to determine if the internship will fulfill your internship requirement.
How will I know if my experience meets MICA's internship requirements?
Complete the mandatory online Internship Orientation for an overview of MICA's internship policies, how to submit an Internship Learning Agreement, the registration process, and coursework associated with for-credit internships. Completing the Internship Orientation prior to submitting your application is required.
Do I have to receive school credit for my internship in order to receive the Fellowship?
Yes. All students receiving the Fellowship must enroll in studio credit. For more information about registering your internship for credit, visit our Internship Registration website.
I’m a grad student with limited space in my degree plan for internship credits. What should I do about the required course credit?
For students lacking room in their schedule for the internship course, there is always the option to split your credits over multiple semesters (1.5 credits over 2 semesters). Splitting credits makes it easier to accommodate the internship credits with minimal impact to your schedule. Keep in mind a for-credit internship comes with a grade. The coursework must be completed in order to pass.
Does my Internship Learning Agreement need to be approved and registered with MICA before applying?
No, the Internship Agreement does not need to be submitted or approved in order to apply to the Fellowship. If selected, you can submit your agreement before the internship begins.
Can I receive Fellowship funding for an internship in fall or spring?
No. The Internship Fellowship program currently supports students pursuing summer internships only.
Can international students receive Fellowship funding?
Absolutely. You may complete an internship in your home country over the summer, or in the U.S. through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT must be authorized in advance on the student's I-20 in order for the work to be legal. More information regarding employment on an F-1 visa in the United States can be found on the office of International Education's website. International students must obtain a United States Social Security Number (SSN) in order to receive the fellowship, as it is taxable. International Education can provide more information about the process of acquiring a SSN.
Do international students need a social security number to apply for the award?
No, a SSN is not needed to apply for the Internship Fellowships.
Can international students without a Social Security Number still receive the award funds?
If you cannot apply for a SSN, we will work with you to determine the best way to distribute the award funds. If the award cannot be issued to you as a check, it can be applied to your MICA student account.
What constitutes a complete Fellowship application?
Complete applications include:
Online Application with completed essay questions
Resume & Portfolio Website
Offer Letter from your internship site with included Job Description for the internship (this can be an email)
Budget Proposal demonstrating financial need (up to $3,000)
Recommendation from Faculty or Staff submitted through Google form (link in the application)
What should the Offer Letter include?
The Offer Letter confirms that you have been offered an internship at a specific internship site, detailing:
The time frame and number of hours you will be working
The work responsibilities that you will be performing and/or a job description, and details regarding the business operations and entrepreneurial skills you will be learning.
Acknowledges the goals that you and organization have discussed for your internship
Suggests how you will be supervised/mentored during the summer
The Offer Letter must be written by a member of the organization on official letterhead or from a corporate email address. This is a crucial part of your application and should paint a clear picture of your proposed work with the organization as well as include your Job Description. MICA’s Internship Learning Agreement is not a substitute for an Offer Letter.
What should my Budget Proposal include?
Budgets should include all of your proposed expenses for the internship, which can include your living expenses, travel costs, and expected summer income from other jobs. See budget proposal examples here.
What are the deadlines and schedule of notification?
The deadline and schedule is listed on the Fellowship's main page.
What is the selection committee looking for when selecting the Internship Fellows?
Student's demonstrated interest in creative entrepreneurship
Intern's opportunity to engage in day-to-day business operations
How the internship relates to your stated aspirations and career goals
Academic achievement and preparedness
Student's financial need and/or if the position is unpaid
If I am selected as a Fellow, when will I receive my award?
Awards are processed once all information from the student is received. The turnaround time can take up to 14 business days, but lack of correct information has made this process take longer. Be sure your information is updated with Students Accounts and Workday, including your correct mailing address and direct deposit bank account information.
Do I have to account for my expenses with receipts or other documents?
Selected Fellows will complete a basic budget accountability form upon completion of the internship, but receipts are not required. The program expects that students will pursue the internship for which they were selected and that the funds will support this effort. If for any reason a participant drops out of the program, Career Development will discuss the return of any remaining funds back to the program.
Can I apply to more than one of the internship fellowships?
Yes, you can apply to one or all internship fellowships for which you are eligible, but can only receive one award. Each fellowship is funded by a different source and has its own review committee. If you are not selected for one award, there's a chance you would be considered for one of the other ones. Read the award eligibility carefully to ensure you meet the criteria to apply.
Can I receive more than one Internship Fellowship in my time at MICA?
Students can only receive one MICA Internship Fellowship OR Internship Fellowship in Creative Entrepreneurship. Past Internship Fellowship winners are not eligible to receive additional funds in subsequent years. If you have previously applied and were not selected, you are encouraged to apply again. There is no limit for the number of times you can apply for the Internship Fellowship.
Internship Fellowship recipients are still eligible to apply for the GO-A Opportunity Award if they are eligible in future years.