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This information is accurate as of September 2026. Additional details will be shared as they become available. Due to the variety of student experiences, some processes and procedures are still under development. This page will be updated as information is confirmed. Please check back frequently for updates.

For the AU Ready Research Pledge, please click here.

Preparing Every AU Student for Meaningful Internship Experiences

The AU Ready Internship Pledge reflects American University’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers beyond graduation by expanding access to high‑quality internship opportunities. Through this pledge, AU supports internship experiences that promote learning, skill‑building, and career readiness so students are prepared to thrive after AU. This page provides key information to help you understand the pledge and determine your eligibility. Questions not answered here may be directed to [email protected].

Employers & Supervisors: Visit the AU Ready Internship Pledge Employer FAQs for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may be eligible if:

  • You are a full-time undergraduate student who has completed 30 credits*
  • You have completed an approved career readiness course at AU (UGST-100, UGST-200, UGST-020, KSB-101, KSB-302, KSB-112), or UGST-120 (typically offered in the spring semester).
  • You have been offered and accepted an unpaid or underpaid internship and submitted the required documentation. (Underpaid is defined as $1,000 and under for an 8-week, 100 hour internship.)
  • You are an undergraduate student in good standing as defined by AU’s policies and procedures.

* Please keep in mind that several administrative factors may impact international student eligibility.

  • The pledge funding is not based on demonstrated financial need. You do not need to receive financial aid to access the AU Ready pledge funds, but it may impact existing financial aid and/or have tax implications.  
  • Pledge payments will be credited to you regardless of your student account balance. However, it is still your responsibility to ensure that your student account balance is paid. 

Internship qualification criteria  

Internships should be structured, time-bound learning experience with defined learning objectives and job duties, where individuals engage in meaningful, field-related work focused on skill development rather than routine or clerical tasks. Please keep in mind that several administrative factors may impact international student eligibility.

Unpaid or underpaid internships

  • Must have a clear start and end date and be recognized as an internship by the employer 
  • Internships can be for credit or not-for-credit 
  • Internship must be at least 8 weeks in length*, include a minimum of 100 hours, and be either unpaid or underpaid (defined as $1,000 and under) 
  • Internships may be in-person, remote, or hybrid, as long as U.S. based. International internships tied to an AU Abroad program may be eligible.
  • Summer internship eligibility - summer internships beginning Summer 2027 are eligible as long as student has met requirements

*All approved AU Abroad experiences that include an internship component may be eligible for consideration.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements for the AU Ready Internship pledge may receive that funding for credit-bearing internships completed through an approved AU-sponsored study abroad program. 

Please note that not all international internships are eligible for funding.

  • Internships completed through approved AU-sponsored study abroad programs may be eligible for Internship Pledge support.
  • Internships completed abroad that are not part of an approved AU-sponsored study abroad program are not eligible.
  • Sakura Scholars originating outside AU may be eligible only for internships completed in the United States. AU Sakura Scholars may complete eligible internships in either the U.S. or abroad.
  • This is the first cycle of the AU Ready Internship Pledge. We may encounter situations that are not covered by the current guidelines. Any updated information will be available on this page.
  • An underpaid internship is defined as receiving $1,000 or less for your internship.  

No. The AU Ready Internship Pledge is more than just funding—it is a comprehensive career readiness program that includes a professionalism course, career preparation support, and reflection and sharing. This holistic approach ensures students are not only funded but also prepared for a successful internship experience.

Students who have not yet completed an eligible Career Readiness Course must complete the course in a semester prior to the one they plan to apply for the AU Ready Internship Pledge.

Please note: For Fall 2026 only, full-time seniors graduating in December 2026 or May 2027 may apply for AU Ready Internship Pledge funding later in the semester, even if their internship has already begun.

  • No, you may not apply retroactively. You must apply before or within the first two weeks of the start of your internship.

Yes. For Fall 2026 only, full-time seniors graduating in December 2026 or May 2027 may apply for AU Ready Internship Pledge funding later in the semester, even if their internship has already begun.

To be eligible:

  1. Complete the course requirement. Enroll in and complete the first Fall 2026 section of UGST 200 or UGST 020, which begins on August 31, 2026. Once grades are submitted in late October, you may apply for funding through the special application deadline of November 9, 2026.
  2. The internship start date exception applies. For Fall 2026 only, seniors remain eligible even if they have been working in their internship for more than the usual two-week eligibility window.
  3. Review course options carefully. Please review the AU Ready Internship Pledge eligibility requirements for available course options and select a course that you can complete by October 25, 2026.
  • You will submit documentation detailing your unpaid/underpaid internship offer and acceptance of an approved internship via the pledge link. We will verify your offer and confirm that prerequisites are complete. 
  • You can access the application link here. The program application is now open, and will remain open through October 9, 2026, for the Fall 2026 semester. The application can only be accessed in Handshake by students who currently meet all the eligibility requirements. If you have reviewed the prerequisites listed in this FAQ and believe there may be an error, please reach out to us at [email protected].

The internship will be reviewed by AU staff for eligibility. If it passes, a form will be sent to the supervisor you put in the application to verify your information. If both* approvals are successful you will receive notice of approval and your application will move to the funding phase.

* First Approver: American University; Second Approver: Your Employer/Supervisor

Payment Timeline

  • For-credit internships: Funding will be processed through Financial Aid. Please allow at least two business weeks from the date of final approval for payment to be processed. 
  • Not-for-credit internships: Funding will be processed through Accounts Payable. There are three primary payment timelines: 
    1. Applications fully approved by September 18 will be paid at the beginning of October.
    2. Applications fully approved by October 30 will be paid by Thanksgiving. 
    3. Graduating senior applications fully approved by November 13 will be paid by mid-December.
  • Payment requests will be sent to each office on the first Tuesday after full approval. 
  • Students should monitor their email for information requests and instructions from Financial Aid or Accounts Payable to determine whether any additional action is required to process their payment.
  • No. The Internship Pledge provides a single funded support payment of up to $4,500. 

All AU students are subject to both the Academic Integrity Code and the Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate student conduct related to dishonesty, misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, providing false information, inappropriate collaboration, plagiarism, and/or fabrication of data will be sent to the appropriate conduct body for adjudication.

AU Ready Internship Pledge Action Flow

This animated video explains the AU Ready Internship Pledge process. It outlines student eligibility, approved career readiness courses, application requirements, the review process, approval decisions, and the steps required to receive internship funding of up to $4,500. The video contains background music only and no spoken narration. 

Flowchart asking whether a full-time undergraduate student has completed 30+ credits. If no, the student is not yet eligible and should complete 30 credits and maintain SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress).
Flowchart continues with a “Yes” step: Complete an approved career readiness course. Asynchronous and 0- or 1-credit options are available.
Flowchart step: Identify and secure an eligible experience. The experience must be an unpaid or underpaid internship with defined start and end dates.
Flowchart step: Submit required documentation to AU, including the internship offer and acceptance, verification of unpaid or underpaid status, and confirmation that all prerequisites have been completed.
Flowchart step: AU reviews your materials.
Flowchart decision: Not approved. Revise the submitted materials or select a qualifying internship experience.
Approved process flow showing steps: receive a one-time $4,500 payment, complete internship experience, submit required reflection component, and finish the program. Green “Approved” checkmark at the start and eagle graphic at the end.