GS GIVES Internship Support

The "GS Gives" Public Service & Health Care Award provides up to $5000 to students in unpaid or low-paid internships. The amount of the award depends on the duration of the internship and the amount of the internship compensation. The minimum award is $500.

The purpose of the award is to help students take advantage of internship opportunities that they otherwise could not afford to pursue.

To apply for scholarship, you must either have secured an internship for the summer of 2025 or commit to securing an internship by June 16, 2025. Students who have not secured an internship at the time the award is announced will be required to meet with Kate Cartwright kcartwright@unm.edu.   

Priority deadlines:  

Friday, May 16

Rolling application deadline through June 16 for Summer 2025

Who is eligible for the award?

  • Undergraduates with a major or minor in Economics
  • Undergraduate with a minor in Public Service
  • Graduate student in Economics
  • MPA or MHA students

What are other eligibility criteria?

  • Your internship must be unpaid or underpaid. Any internship compensation below $15 per hour is considered underpaid.
  • If your internship compensation is at or above the Santa Fe Living Wage, you may apply for a scholarship to cover meals, transportation, or parking
  • You must agree to share information and updates about your internship site and time worked
  • You must agree to complete a survey at the end of your internship experience
  • You must currently be enrolled as a full-time student and be registered for the Fall 2025 semester as a full-time student
  • You must understand and agree to the scholarship disbursement method

Selection preferences 

Preference will be given to eligible students from the following groups:  

  • New Mexico residents and/or enrolled members of a Federally Recognized Tribe.
  • The internship experience is in New Mexico or the designated land of Federally Recognized Tribes.
  • Financial need as described in application.
  • First public service in health care career development experience.

What internship experiences are eligible? 

The internship must:

  • Meet the National Association of Colleges and Employers legal internship criteria.
  • Align with the student’s career goals 
  • Be hosted by a nonprofit or government organization with an emphasis on health and or health care (broadly defined, including Health in all Policies-related programs Health in All Policies - NACCHO) 

Disbursements

Selected recipients will receive a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $5000. The total amount will be specified after confirmation of internship agreement with the host organization, including duration, hours, and compensation. The money will be disbursed in three equal payments as follows:

  • 1/3 disbursement at start of internship,
  • 1/3 disbursement in half-way through the internship,
  • 1/3 disbursement at conclusion of internship. Prior to receiving the final award disbursement, recipients will be required to complete a post-award experience survey. 
  • For experiences shorter than 6 weeks, the award will be disbursed in two payments.

 

Apply here

Have questions? Contact Kate Cartwright kcartwright@unm.edu