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Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers The Summer Internship
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How do I find an internship? |
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The
purpose of the internship is to provide “hands-on” multidisciplinary
educational and training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related
science, research, technology, policy, management and education
activities. Opportunities to complete
the internship are available throughout the
NOAA
will provide a list of summer internship opportunities including a brief description of each project, contact information for the
NOAA mentor and location, and a summary of the tasks associated with the
project. NOAA program staff is available to assist scholars as needed.
However, the scholars are advised to contact the NOAA mentor to discuss the
project further to determine their interest. If a mutual agreement is
reached, the student may e-mail the mentor an updated resume and e-mail the
NOAA Student Scholarship Program information about the summer internship
opportunity. After NOAA approves the scholar’s participation in a project,
the scholar and the mentor will select the date and time (not to exceed three
days) for the site visit. The scholar may submit a Travel Request
electronically to the NOAA Student Scholarship Program for approval of a site
visit. NOAA will e-mail the scholar and NOAA mentor to confirm or deny the
selection of the summer internship and, if approved, NOAA will contact the
administrative support contractor, NOAA mentor, and scholar to proceed with
travel arrangements.
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What happens once I have identified a potential internship? |
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Once a Scholar
has identified an internship, scholars must submit a Travel Request Form to NOAA for approval for a site visit. NOAA will approve or decline the Travel Request and copy the NOAA mentor and support contractor. If approved, the support contractor will contact the scholar to coordinate travel arrangments for the site visit. Funds will be provided for students to conduct one site visit. The purpose of the site visit is to allow
the Scholar to meet the NOAA mentor, their staff, tour the facility, discuss
the project to be conducted, identify summer housing and assess
transportation needs.
The
administrative support contractor will purchase an airline or train ticket,
pre-pay the hotel, and reimburse the scholar for pre-approved car rental and meals while
in a travel status. Under no circumstances should scholars purchase their own
travel tickets. Scholars will not be reimbursed for airline, bus, or other
unapproved travel costs.
Scholars must
submit all original travel receipts for reimbursement to the NOAA administrative
support contractor. Only receipts in the scholar’s name will be reimbursed by
the administrative support contractor. Receipts for meals are not required.
Scholars
are not approved for more than one site visit. All site visits must be
completed by January 15. Scholars are encouraged to complete the site visit
during their winter break, however, scholars attending universities and
colleges on the quarter system are granted an extension to April 15. Upon
the completion of the site visit, all scholars are required to submit the
completed Site Survey Form to the NOAA administrative support contractor. |
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| Can I drive my personal vehicle to my 10-week summer internship?
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NOAA
recommends that students do not drive to their summer internship
NOAA must provide pre-approval for students to drive their vehicles.
A vehicle is not required during the internships in Silver Spring. The Silver Spring apartment complex will charge a parking fee that NOAA will not reimburse to the student.
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If I rent a vehicle during my 10-week internship, will I be reimbursed
for the cost? |
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NOAA
will not approve or pay the cost for rental vehicles for use during the
summer internship. It is highly recommended that scholars select a summer
internship site where a car is not needed if a scholar does not own a
vehicle. Transportation needs should
be assessed during the site visit. |
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When will my internship begin? |
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The summer
internship occurs between the junior and senior year for the Hollings
Scholars. For students attending
colleges and universities on the semester system, summer internships begin
the last week of May and end the first week of August. For students on the quarter system,
internships may begin mid-June and end by mid-August. All scholars are required to complete a 10-week summer internship regardless of when it begins.
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When do summer payments begin and how much are they? |
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the summer internship begins, Scholars will NOT receive the $888.88 per month
academic stipend. During the summer
internship(s) scholars receive bi-weekly payments which are deposited into
the scholar’s account in the amount of $1,300.00 for scholarship and $308.00
as a housing allowance. The housing allowance is provided only if the scholar does not live at their permanent residence and the scholar's permanent residence is more than 50 miles from their summer internship. The
housing allowance is provided to supplement, not entirely cover, the cost of
summer housing.
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If I work more than 80 hours a week, will I be paid overtime? |
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The
maximum amount to be paid for the internship is $650/week for a 40 hour work
week. Scholars will not be paid more than $650.00 a week because all student payments are budgeted prior to the start of the scholarship selection process.
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How do I find summer housing during the 10-week internship? |
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Scholars
who select
Scholars who select other NOAA laboratories and field sites need to locate summer housing during their site visit. NOAA has been compiling a list of summer housing used by previous program participants. The scholarship team will make that information available prior to your site visit. NOAA will not enter into a lease agreement for the scholars.
For all scholars, the housing allowance is $154.00 per week provided you do not either live at your permanent residence and your permanent residence if more than 50 miles away from your summer internship. The housing allowance is not intended to cover all summer housing costs, rather to offset the costs associated with housing. Scholars residing in Silver Spring in the Program coordinated housing will not receive the housing allowance as it will
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What are the requirements for the final presentation week? |
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Scholars’
participation in the final week in Silver Spring, Maryland, is mandatory. All scholars are required to participate in the presentation week even if they started late and their project is not complete. In that case, scholars will present a project status along with expected outcomes. At the completion of the week the scholar will return to their summer internship site to complete the remaining weeks of their internship. The NOAA mentor and scholar will determine if the summer
project presentation is oral or in a poster format.
The
program requires all scholars to travel to |
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Will NOAA provide printing services for posters during final
presentation week? |
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Scholars will be reimbursed for
the cost of printing posters for their project summary presentation upon submission of the original receipt. However, all posters must be printed prior to the Scholar's arrival in Silver Spring for the final presentation week.
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Will I be paid for attending the Final Presentation Week?
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| Yes, Scholars are required to present their summary project reports during the final week and will be paid. The Presentation Week is considered the 10th week of the summer internship. |