Finances
Application Process
Advising
Internship Search
Health and Wellness
100
Can FLI students afford to accept a summer grant?
We hope so! Grants are designed to cover all living expenses and, if possible, savings.
New as of last year, the Rosen Travel Fund can also provide additional funds for travel and living expenses to students undertaking an OFF-CAMPUS opportunity in hopes to make these more accessible to lower income students.
100
What is the completion award?
$300 of the SISS summer award is temporarily withheld until the recipient successfully completes all requirements of the grant.
100
Is advising required to apply for a Lang Center summer grant?
Yes. Only students who are advised gain access to the official application and are eligible to apply.
100
Do students need to have an internship offer in hand at the time of applying for a Lang Center grant?
No.
(+100)
In fact, most students who apply do not have an internship offer in hand!
100
Name one way students can take care of their mental health during a remote internship.
Build structured habits throughout the day; Take walks; Exercise regularly; Reach out to friends and family; etc.
200
If a student has an internship that is 10 weeks long and part-time (less than 35 hrs/week), what is the maximum amount of funding that they are eligible for?
$2750 (half of $5500)
*Any internship less than 10 weeks full time will have a prorated amount.
200
What is the deadline for applications?
February 15, 2023
200
What does a student need to do to schedule and prepare for an advising session with an LCA?
Schedule by Google Calendar link. All sessions (even those scheduled over email) should be reflected in the SISS advising calendar. Additionally, you should be directing students to fill out the pre-advising form in your appointment slot description.
200
How many internships should students apply to?
At least 10.
(+100)
Students can use the internship tracking template to keep track of their various applications.
200
What should a student do if they are struggling with their mental health during their summer experience?
Students may call the CAPS 24-7 Hotline: (610)-328-7768.
Students can also contact the LC staff member who manages their grant.
300
Name 3 budgetary considerations students should be making in a remote world.
Housing; Summer Earnings Requirement; Food (do you have special dietary needs?); Medications; Health Expenses; Recreation & Wellness; Business Attire; WiFi & Connectivity
300
How are applications evaluated?
Applicants are double-blind evaluated by a group of at least one faculty member, one staff member, and one previous student grantee.
300
A student wants to apply for Faculty-Led Engaged Research. Who should they schedule an advising appointment with?
The faculty member with which they would like to work.
300
What main resource does the Lang Center have to help students with their internship searches?
Social Impact Host Site Database/Map
300
Who should I call in the event of an emergency?
Swarthmore Public Safety, No matter where you are!
400
Will my grant be taxed?
INo taxes will be withheld, but you should report the grant amount when filing your taxes to the IRS. Please refer to the summer grantee handbook for more information (p. 10). If additional questions arise please contact Joseph Cataldi in the Business Office.
400
What would a strong response to the engaged scholarship question on the application encompass?
The 750-word engaged scholarship essay question should discuss how the student’s proposed summer opportunity will connect curriculum, on-campus activities, and off-campus community engagement.
Good tip: this essay should be one that couldn’t have been written by any other student. I.e. “I am a Peace and Conflict Studies major and so I want to intern with Human Rights Watch” is less convincing than “In a recent course I took with Prof. Atshan, John Doe from Human Rights Watch talked with us about the role that lawyers play in their organization. I am interested in exploring internships that would allow me to see the ways in which I might combine be interest in human rights advocacy with my aspiration of becoming a lawyer.”
400
Please name each staff member that advises on the following grants: SISS, CCF, Projects, and FLER.
For SISS: LCAs or any LC staff member advise
For CCF: Ashley Henry
For Projects: Jennifer Magee or Nimesh Ghimire
For FLER: The designated faculty member
400
If a grantee does not have an internship placement in place by April 1, what should they do?
Schedule a meeting with a Lang Center staff member ASAP.
400
Do students have health insurance over the summer?
Yes, if students are on the College's health insurance plan which is covered until August.
Note: Please encourage students to look at the specific start and end dates of their insurance policies.
500
Should a student always budget for the full 5,500?
Typically, yes. Students can request up to 5,500 to cover their expenses and they can budget some 'savings' for incidentals and for added financial stability during the academic year.
One exception: if a student truly does not need the funds, they can budget (and receive) less. This amount will go directly to another student in that year or a future one.
500
How should students approach the positionality question in the application?
Students should reflect critically on how their own identities and background will interact with the individuals and communities they will be working alongside or with. We are not looking for students to simply re-state or list the identities they hold.
500
Name two best practices you should follow before or after a session.
Review the pre-advising form before your meeting with your peer; Send a follow-up email with resources; Send an email following up with a student several weeks after the session to check-in with them, etc.
500
What is the *first* thing a student should do after accepting an internship offer?
Withdraw from any and all outstanding application processes.
500
What should a student do if they are not having a good internship experience?
Reach out to the Lang Center Staff member who administers your grant! Lang Center staff are here to help you sort through any internship difficulties or larger issues you may be facing in completing your day-to-day activities.