GOYA Opportunity Award

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

Currently enrolled junior and senior undergraduate fine art majors may apply.
Students must be:

Students must be actively enrolled at the time of the opportunity and in good academic (2.5 GPA) and community standing with MICA; fall enrollment not required for graduating seniors.

Will you accept late applications?

Incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted. 

What types of opportunities will be considered for this award?

The funder is interested in supporting students on their journey to finding a career path that supports them financially after graduation. Opportunities can include internships, fine art professional development such as art fairs or residencies, educational coursework, or work experiences in a fine arts related field that will further the recipient's career. Any experience selected MUST provide experience or training that will help you earn a living after graduation. Consider an opportunity that you would otherwise be unable to do without the support of this award, and propose a budget for how you plan to use the funds if awarded to you. The funds can support living expenses, transportation costs, and possibly tuition for an educational opportunity.  Educational opportunities facilitated by MICA (ex. study abroad or travel intensives) are not be eligible for the award.

If I choose to do an internship, do I have to receive school credit for it in order to get the GOYA Opportunity Award?

If the award supports a junior in an internship opportunity, the student would need to enroll the experience for school credit. For more information about registering your internship for credit, visit our Internship Registration website.

Graduating seniors are not required to enroll in their internship for school credit.

Are international students eligible for this award?

Absolutely! Your year level and visa status during the summer you receive the award will determine what types of opportunities you are eligible for.

Juniors: For opportunities in the United States, you will only be able to participate in experiences that keep you in compliance with your F-1 visa status. Your opportunity may need to qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Contact International Education and Career Development to discuss your proposed opportunity. More information regarding employment on an F-1 visa in the United States can be found on the office of International Education's website. 

Because of the generous amount of this award, think about opportunities you can complete internationally outside of the US where you will not be bound by your F-1 status.

Seniors: If you are graduating and plan to complete a US-based opportunity, you must qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is more open and flexible than CPT. If you plan to leave the country be mindful of how that will affect OPT. 

International students must obtain a United States Social Security Number (SSN) in order to receive the fellowship. International Education can provide more information about the process of acquiring a SSN.

Can an international student use this award to fund an artist residency?

For opportunities in the United States, we recommend contacting Career Development and International Education with your eligibility questions to ensure you stay in status. Remember you can also seek international opportunities or experiences in your home country, where you are not bound to F-1 visa regulations. Graduating F-1 students can complete US-based opportunities if you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

I am an international student without a Social Security Number. Can I 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.

Does my Internship Learning Agreement need to be submitted and approved before applying?

No, the Internship Agreement does not need to be submitted in order to apply to the Fellowship. If selected, you can submit your agreement before the internship begins.

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.

What constitutes a complete award application? 

Review the Apply page for full details.

What should my Budget Proposal include?

Budgets should include all of your proposed expenses for the opportunity or internship, which can include your living expenses, travel costs, and expected summer income from other jobs. If you win the award, the jury may choose to give you some or all of your request up to $12,000. Asking for a smaller amount than $12,000 is okay.
See budget proposal examples here.

If I am selected for this award, when will I receive my funding?

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?

The recipient 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 opportunity for which they were selected and that the funds will support this effort. If for any reason a participant drops out of the internship program or opportunity, Career Development will discuss the return of any remaining funds back to the program.

If I am selected as the GOYA Award recipient, do I have to pay taxes on the award?

Awards payments are subject to U.S. and state income tax laws, and the payment of the award may be tax reportable. Grant recipients are responsible for reporting stipend payments to the proper taxing authorities, and are liable for any tax payments that may be due. 

Can I also apply to the other Internship Fellowships?

Yes, you can apply to GOYA and the other two Internship Fellowships during each award cycle, but know you can only receive one of the three awards. Each award 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.

Are previous Internship Fellowship recipients eligible for the GOYA Opportunity Award?

Yes. If you received an Internship Fellowship in a prior award year, you are eligible to apply for the GOYA Opportunity Award. 

Can I receive more than one GOYA Opportunity Award?

Students can only receive one GOYA Opportunity Award during their time at MICA. If you have previously applied and a junior and were not selected, you are encouraged to apply again your senior year. 

What are the deadlines and schedule of notification?

The deadline and schedule is listed on the Fellowship's main page.

What is juror looking for when selecting the recipient(s)?