Pathways Summer Scholarship

This scholarship exists to help offset the costs of pursuing an internship/pathway experience or to assist with students financial need. The Center for Pathway Experiences awards competitive scholarships to undergraduate students who obtain full-time internship or other approved pathway experiences, such as fieldwork, practicum, or research; meet the eligibility and criteria guidelines of the program; and are selected for participation by the Pathway Scholarship Committee. Program requirements may be modified as necessary to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal guidelines. The priority deadline is March 1, 2023, and then a rolling deadline until all funds are used or May 1, 2023.

Award
Amount generally ranges from $500-$3,000
Scopes
Special Awarding Deadline
Deadline
04/26/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. Purpose: The purpose of the Pathways Scholarship Program is to encourage undergraduate student participation in summer pathway experiences, such as internships, fieldwork, practicum, or research, by reducing the financial burdens sometimes associated due to unpaid or low-paid wages, the high cost of living for the location of the pathway experience, travel costs, or other demonstrated financial need.

    Historical Information: The Pathway Scholarship Program was established in 2016 as part of the University Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Eagles Engaged, aimed in part to increase the number of undergraduates participating in pathway experiences, such as internships, fieldwork, collaborative research, or similar experience related to their post-graduation goals. The first scholarships were awarded to students in Summer 2017. Since its inception, the scholarship program has helped support students in New York, Washington D.C., Dallas, Nashville, Hilton Head and in many other locations, to gain valuable experience toward their post-graduation goals.

    Criteria for Receiving the Scholarship:The application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
    • Evidence of a meaningful experience and involvement in significant professional work or research
    • Evidence that the experience will provide opportunities to apply academic studies to the work or research experience
    • Evidence of preparation by the student for the experience
    • Evidence that the experience is related to the student's post-graduation/career goals
    • Evidence of financial need
    • Confirmation of internship acceptance

    Preference will be given to students scheduled to graduate in the 12 months following the summer pathway experience and then to students who will have another year to pursue an internship/pathway as a Southern Miss undergraduate.
    International students must consult with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to determine eligibility and other requirements.

    Hours and Weeks: The Committee will take into account the number of weeks of the pathway experiences and number of hours required per week in the selection process, with preference given to more extensive pathway experiences.

    On-Campus: Internships or pathway experiences taking place on the Southern Miss campus will not be eligible for a pathway scholarship.

    Special Programs: The Pathway Scholarship Program does not fund conference presentations, workshops, institutes, travel study programs, courses or other similar experiences.

    International Travel: Pathway experiences in areas listed on the government sanction list or on the U.S. State Department travel warning list will not be eligible for a scholarship.

    Concurrent Enrollment in Courses: Students receiving a pathway scholarship may participate concurrently in a Southern Miss internship/pathway course. Students may also be enrolled in other coursework. Applicants taking additional coursework are asked to provide a plan for meeting the time commitments of the pathway and coursework.

    Number of recipients: Varies each year, dependent upon applications submitted.

    Amount of Each Scholarship: Varies depending on costs not covered by company/organization; Amount generally ranges from $500 - $3000.

    Scholarship Disbursement Information: Awards will be disbursed at the end of the spring semester in order to assist with the start of summer expenses.

    Scholarship Renewable Information: This is a one-time award and is not renewable.

    Enrollment Requirement: No enrollment requirement for summer of internship, but student must be enrolled in at least 12 hours for the spring semester of disbursement.

    GPA Requirement: 2.5 cumulative gpa

    PROCEDURE: Submit entire, completed application by March 1. IF a scholarship is awarded, student must accept scholarship by May 1.

    Application includes answers to questions listed, Faculty Recommendation Form, and Company/Organization Form.

    Please confirm that you have read and understand these criteria.
  2. To be considered for this considered for this scholarship you must have accepted a Pathway Experience at the time of your application. Have you been offered and accepted a Pathway Experience?
  3. List courses in your major (course prefix, number, and title) you’ve completed which are relevant to this internship/pathway.
  4. List non-major courses (course prefix, number and title) you’ve completed that are relevant to this internship/pathway.
  5. Name, department and email address of faculty providing recommendation.
  6. Name of Company/organization that you will be interning with:
  7. Location of Internship/Pathway (City, State/Country):
  8. Length of Internship/Pathway (# of weeks):
  9. Hours/week:
  10. Amount expected to be funded by company/organization:
  11. Beginning and ending date:
  12. Estimated sum of out-of-pocket expenses during the internship/pathway:
  13. Itemized list of expenses:
  14. Will you be receiving funding from any other source (i.e. grant, scholarship, etc.) during the time of the internship/pathway?
  15. If you answered yes, please provide the overall amount of additional funds you will receive along with name of source(s)
  16. What type of work will you perform during your internship/pathway experience? Please include job duties, responsibilites, anticipated projects, etc.
  17. What are your three major learning objectives for this internship/pathway experience, aside from furthering career objectives?
  18. Describe how the courses you have taken have prepared you for the work you anticipate in this internship/pathway. Provide specific examples of relevant experiences, assignments, or projects.
  19. List your career goals and provide a rationale on how this internship/pathway experience will facilitate progression toward your career/post-graduation goals.
  20. How did you find out about your internship/pathway? Describe the application process.
  21. Have you completed an internship/pathway or similar position before? If so, when and where?
  22. Please provide information about the company/organization. Include such things as the website, history, mission, etc., to assist the committee in judging the appropriateness of the experience.
  23. Other information that would be helpful for the Pathways Scholarship Committee:
  24. Signature Statement:I hereby certify that all information reported in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I permit the release of all information contained within this application to the appropriate selection committee(s) for the purpose of scholarship consideration. I authorize the USM Center for Pathway Experiences to release my name, hometown, major, photograph and scholarship name and award amount for recognition of any awards I may receive as a result of completing this application.
  25. Incomplete Pathway Experience Stipulation: If the student's pathway experience ends prior to the agreed upon date student should contact the Director of Pathway Experiences.
  26. *ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENT*: Upon acceptance of pathways scholarship, the student must attend a Pathways Scholar meeting to complete all required paperwork. Scholarship recipients will also be required to post progress to the Center for Pathway Director throughout the experience, prepare a portfolio of work as assigned by the Pathways Director including the Pathways Reflection and Evaluation Survey and present their pathway experience during the annual Pathways Scholars Reception. Scholars are asked to be available to speak about their experiences as requested.
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