Student News

Application Window Open for Wildcat Internship Scholarship Program

 LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 11, 2022) — The application window is currently open for the new Wildcat Internship Scholarship Program (WISP).

WISP, funded by the University of Kentucky Women and Philanthropy Network, is designed to provide financial assistance, professional development and mentorship support for students seeking participation in internships and related field experiences that are unpaid or minimally compensated.

With a focus on first generation, diverse, Pell and Federal Work-Study eligible students, this program combines students’ internships with professional development resources, academic credit options through EXP 396 course enrollment, and a paired mentor to encourage, empower and inspire students to fully capitalize on their experience. Scholarships are available to support travel to internship locations, food and housing costs, or to partially fund wages for an unpaid or minimally compensated internship.

Basic program features include $500-$2,000 scholarships depending on need. This support is extended to students participating in internships or field experiences between January 2022 to August 2023. Participation includes:

  • Opportunity to enroll in EXP 396 experiential education course (1 credit) tied to completion of the internship.

  • Involvement in Wildcat Works, an online, co-curricular professional development program that focuses on professionalism, teamwork, critical thinking, resume-writing and networking.

  • Connection with a professional mentor who will meet individually with the student on a monthly basis for at least six months to support their internship experience and professional development.

WISP scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students from any academic discipline, major or college who are in good standing with the University of Kentucky. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

To apply, click here. The application window closes Wednesday, April 20 by 11:59 p.m. For more information, contact Todd.Stoltzfus@uky.edu.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.