LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) is piloting an Applied Career Exploration (ACE) Fellowship, a new program providing financial support for students pursuing internships, workshops and other structured preprofessional experiences.
“Many of us on the faculty have worked with students who turned down a summer internship at the Smithsonian because housing costs were an issue or skipped a low-paid semester internship because they could earn more at a local restaurant,” said Dr. Elaine Bennett, AHSS dean. “This fellowship bridges the financial gap so students can pursue experiences that help them explore careers and plan their professional paths.”
Awards may cover transportation, housing and lost income from unpaid or low-paid opportunities. Fellowships are competitive and awarded on a combination of merit and need. Awards may range from under $100 to support short-term, local experiences, to up to $3,000 to support longer-term experiences far from the student’s residence.
Fellowship applications may be partially funded at the discretion of the selection committee, and applicants are encouraged to be sure that the amount for which they apply is commensurate with their need.
“This is an investment in our students’ futures,” Bennett said. “As our mission states, we prepare students ‘to integrate their professional aims with the broader purposes of human life.’ Supporting these real-world experiences is part of how we fulfill that mission.”
The ACE Fellowship application can be accessed online. AHSS students will be asked to provide an application narrative describing the planned experience and explaining how the fellowship would support their discernment and pursuit of their professional goals. A budget breakdown, budget narrative and faculty reference also are required.
Students who are eligible for federal or state financial aid in the form of grants, student employment or loans are eligible to apply for this fellowship. International students may also apply with evidence of financial need. Financial aid status will be confirmed with the Office of Financial Aid.
An AHSS faculty committee will review applications three times annually—March for summer experiences, July for fall semester and November for spring. Students with time-sensitive opportunities may request a special review.
“These experiences are often transformative,” Bennett said. “Our students build their résumés, make professional connections and gain clarity about their career direction. We don’t want finances to be the reason a student misses an opportunity.”
Questions related to the application form can be sent to Bethany Caldwell, AHSS administrative assistant, at bethany.caldwell@stvincent.edu.
Initial applications to support summer experiences are due by Monday, March 30; ACE fellows will be announced by April 15.
The program launches with funding from AHSS donors and support from the McIntyre Career Exploration Fund. The program will grow through alumni engagement and grant funding.
