High Impact Experiences

At Southwestern, we want all students to participate in all four high impact experiences. We recognize that funding might be one barrier to participation. The Funded Internship Program awards funding to unpaid or underpaid internships. Study Abroad awards over $300,000 for scholarships to engage in education abroad, and SCOPE provides a stipend and summer housing.

By making a gift to support High Impact Experiences, you are affording current and future Southwestern students the opportunity to get real-world experience during the undergraduate years.

Different ways student can receive funding/support to complete a high impact experience are:

• Community-Engaged Learning Student Associates (CELSAs)- These paid student worker positions support local nonprofits and community-engaged learning courses. CELSA positions are paid up to $9/hour.
• Funded Internship Program (FIP)- Many internships are paid; some are unpaid. The Funded Internship Program supports students through funding which allows them to participate in unpaid or underpaid internships. Fall and Spring awards are $1,500 and summer awards are up to $5,000.
• Study Abroad Scholarships- There are several ways to fund a study abroad experience. Federal financial aid can apply to all programs so long as the student is enrolled full-time. SU Merit aid applies to SU London, CHIP in Washington, D.C. and ISEP Exchange programs. Southwestern also awards over $100,000 annually in study abroad scholarships.
• SURF- Southwestern Undergraduate Research with Faculty is a student-faculty collaborative summer research experience for Southwestern students. SURF Scholars spend eight weeks conducting full-time research alongside Southwestern faculty mentors and other SU student scholars. SURF Scholars receive a stipend and summer housing.