Planning Summer 2026? Changes are coming in 2027.

Review information about Summer 2027 as it may impact your planning.

Summer Experience Award (SEA)

The Summer Experience Award (SEA) is a one-time, non-competitive award for eligible Yale College students who receive Yale financial aid. The award ($4,000) funds a U.S. or international professional development opportunity that meets specific criteria, outlined below. The SEA application opens in the Student Grants Database on Monday, Feb 2, 2026. 

Student Eligibility

• First-year, sophomore, and junior Yale College undergraduates, currently receiving Yale financial aid. Seniors graduating in December 2026 may be eligible.
• ROTC and Eli Whitney students may qualify if financial aid eligibility is verified by the Yale Financial Aid Office.
• Students who have not yet received the SEA in a prior summer. Students who used the SEA in a prior summer are not eligible, as this is a one-time award. 
• Students on leave of absence may apply if returning to campus in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Questions about your eligibility? Contact sea@yale.edu before applying and well in advance of the deadline.
• International students are strongly encouraged to consult OISS (Office of International Students & Scholars) before applying. Additionally, international students should be aware of the tax implications before accepting the award. Contact Yale’s International Tax Office for more information.

Experience Eligibility

• The experience must be secured before applying for the SEA. Need help finding an eligible opportunity? Along with advising appointments, OCS has many resources. Start with Summer Experience Award – Finding Opportunities and Sample Cold Emails
• Experience must be at least 8 weeks long and 30 hours per week. Weeks need not be consecutive, but fewer than 30 hours per week are not allowed. There is no additional funding for opportunities of greater than 8 weeks or more than 30 hours per week. 
• Only in-person, supervised experiences with nonprofit, government, arts, or research organizations, including non-profit universities, and for-profit international organizations are eligible.
• If you apply to a nonprofit organization, you are required to include the Guidestar link in your application, showing that the organization is a 501(c) 3. For research, your supervisor will have to confirm that they either provide IRB approval or that IRB approval does not apply to your internship. If you apply to a government internship that requires security clearance, please let the SEA committee know by reaching out to sea@yale.edu
• Fully remote positions are not eligible. Hybrid positions are eligible if SEA recipient is on-site 50% of the time.
• The position must be either unpaid or underfunded (stipend up to $2,000).
• Supervisor must complete the Host Organization Verification (HOV) form, acknowledging adherence to Yale’s non-discrimination policy. Research supervisors must provide Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, if applicable.
• A student may not be a supervisor. Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral Scholars do not qualify as supervisors.
• Experience must conclude prior to the first day of the Fall Term. 
• Opportunities that involve classwork, including senior thesis-related work, are not eligible.
• Opportunities obtained through third-party providers are not eligible.
• Questions about the eligibility of your planned experience? Contact sea@yale.edu before applying and well in advance of the deadline to allow time to secure another opportunity if necessary.

Domestic U.S. vs International Opportunity

• Both opportunities are eligible for a $4,000 award.
• Fully remote positions are not eligible. Hybrid site positions are eligible if SEA recipient is on-site 50% of the time (confirmed by the supervisor).
• Returning to your home country for your summer experience is allowed as long as your opportunity is eligible and your plans abide by the Yale University International Travel Policy for Yale College Students. Yale funds cannot be used to travel to any region that is at “High” or “Extreme” ISOS Global Risk Rating, or Level 4 or higher U.S. State Department risk rating.
• Students are bound by agreements regarding the use of funds, location of their experience, and commitment to completion of the experience. Additional specific agreements are required for international experiences. Please see the Policies and Agreements section for details.
• Using the SEA and the ISA (International Study Award) in the same summer is not allowed.

Deadlines

• Priority deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2026
  • Applicants who submit a complete application by April 1 will receive their funds by late May/early June (unless the student has also applied for additional funding through Fellowships, as coordination of funding may take a bit longer). Students pursuing an international experience and those whose experiences start in May are strongly encouraged to submit their complete applications by the priority deadline.
• Final deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026, 5 pm EST
  • There are no exceptions to the final deadline of May 1, 2026. Please ensure that your application, banking paperwork (see funding and taxes section), and international requirements (if applicable) are in order when you submit your SEA application. To avoid rejection of your application, start the process early, contact sea@yale.edu with any questions, and be prepared with an alternate plan just in case. Missing, incomplete, or inaccurate information on your application will result in a delay in approval and/or processing of your payment
  • Students who have secured an opportunity with the federal government but are waiting for security clearance should see FAQ: “How does the SEA work for students who are waiting on their security clearance?”
  • If you have questions about your eligibility or your application, please be in touch with the Office of Career Strategy SEA committee at sea@yale.edu well in advance of the deadline.

Funding and Taxes

Payment Instructions
Receive Your Funding Via Zelle
Funds will be disbursed via Zelle, a digital payment method for transferring money easily and efficiently.
Zelle is available to Yale students who meet the following requirements – have a U.S. bank account and a Yale email address.
Payment cannot be issued until a Zelle account has been created.
Be in touch with SEA@yale.edu if your bank/financial institution does not accept Zelle.

Set Up Zelle Account
1.Take a moment to review the steps to enroll in Zelle as outlined in the Zelle Toolkit and confirm your banks accepts Zelle.
2.Be sure to use your Yale email address for your Zelle account.
3.Once payments are processed you will receive notifications and instructions from Zelle or your bank about receiving your funds – monitor your email carefully (including your junk folder). Yale administrators do not receive confirmation of Zelle payments.

Important Notes for International Students
1.International students should confirm that they have a U.S. address listed in Yale Hub. (Do not adjust your Permanent Address)
2.International students receiving payment from the university are required to complete a Sprintax Calculus profile.

Questions?
If you have questions or concerns about payments contact SEA@yale.edu.
International students may contact the International Tax Office with specific questions regarding tax compliance.

Policies & Agreements

When you submit your SEA application for either a U.S. Domestic or International experience, you agree to:

• Please read this agreement carefully because it affects your legal rights.
• I will participate in the Summer Experience Award (“Program”). This document (“Agreement”) covers all aspects of my participation in the Program. In this Agreement, “Yale” means Yale University, its trustees, officers, employees, trainees, students, volunteers, and agents.
• •Program Risks. I understand that I have voluntarily and freely elected to participate in this Program, and that I am not required to do so. I understand that participation in the Program involves risks that Yale cannot eliminate, including, among others, risk of property damage, illness, bodily injury, permanent disability, and death. If the Program includes international travel, I acknowledge that there are certain risks inherent in travel to the Program location: unique political, legal, social, and economic conditions; different standards of design, safety, and maintenance of buildings, public offices, and conveyances; and local medical, environmental, and weather conditions. I further acknowledge that such political, safety, or health risks could result in illness, personal injury, or death and that I have been advised to inform myself of the particular health and safety risks that may be unique to the location of the Program. I agree to apprise myself of this information prior to my departure in order to understand and appreciate the nature of such risks. I further understand that I have a continuing obligation to stay so informed during my travel.
• Assumption of Risk. I voluntarily take responsibility for all risks of participating in the Program.
• Assumption of Medical and Mental Health Obligations: I have consulted with a medical doctor and/or counselor with regard to my medical and mental health needs and acknowledge there are no health-related reasons or problems that preclude or restrict me from participating in the Program. I have arranged for disability-related accommodations, through Yale’s Student Accessibility Services office or otherwise, as appropriate, and I understand the limitations of the program location. I have arranged, through insurance or otherwise, for payment of medical care, if necessary, while I participate in the Program. I recognize that Yale is not obligated to attend to any of my medical needs, and I assume all risk and responsibility therefore. If I require medical care during my participation in the Program, Yale is not responsible for the cost or quality of such care.
• Release. In exchange for Yale allowing me to participate in the Program, I release Yale from all legal and financial responsibility for any harm that I, or my property might suffer as a result of my participation, even if the harm is caused by Yale’s ordinary negligence.
• Indemnification. I agree to indemnify and hold Yale harmless from (that is to say, I agree to pay or reimburse Yale for) any costs, penalties, legal fees, or judgments (“Costs”) that Yale has to pay related to my participation in the Program, even if the Costs resulted from Yale’s ordinary negligence.
• Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The laws of Connecticut shall govern and the courts of Connecticut shall interpret this Agreement.
• Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall legally bind me, and my family members, spouse, estate, heirs, administrators, or personal representatives.
• Severability. If a court decides that any part of this Agreement cannot be enforced, I agree to change that part to make it enforceable. If the unenforceable part cannot legally be changed, it will be severed, but the rest of this Agreement will remain in effect.Be aware of important Yale Health & Safety Resources and register with ISOS, Global Assistance available to you when you are 100 miles or more from your permanent residence
• Watch/read the online pre-departure information and any other information sent to you
• Complete the OCS summer activities survey at the end of the summer
• Return any SEA funding received in the event your plans change, or the location of your experience changes, making the opportunity no longer eligible
• Return a prorated amount of the SEA funding for any time less than eight weeks, if you withdraw or fail to complete the summer experience
• Complete a mid-summer and end-of-summer check-in with your supervisor.
• Remain informed of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Alerts
• I understand that I am signing a legal document. By typing my name here, I am performing the same task as though I were signing on paper and hold legal responsibility for signing this document.
  Confirm
  
  *I agree that I have read and understood this Agreement, I am of legal age (eighteen (18) or older) and competent to sign it, and I do so voluntarily and without relying on anything Yale wrote or told me except what is written above. I understand that I am free not to sign this Agreement and to find a different Program, and in doing so, I will not be sponsored by Yale in any way (including academically, financially, and legally) to participate in this Program. If I am not of legal age, my parent or guardian has also read and understood this Agreement.

For International experiences you additionally agree to:

• If you are using the SEA for an international experience, you must review the Yale University International Travel Policy for Yale College Students which determines countries to which travel is restricted. It is every student’s responsibility to be aware of this policy and to stay informed of any changes to the status of their planned destination. 
• Remain informed about the travel, health, and safety risks of the regions where you will reside or visit. Follow updates on travel conditions both domestically and throughout your time abroad.
• Use the travel, safety, and health resources provided. View the Fellowships & Independent Activities Pre-Departure video
• Read the information and agreements below and visit the links provided.
  • U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Website. Travel is restricted to countries or regions up to level 3. You are responsible for reviewing this information for each country you visit.U.S. State Department Country Fact Sheet and the International SOS member site.  You will be required to indicate the International SOS risk level rating for your intended country. The SEA cannot be used to travel to countries at “High” or “Extreme” Risk Levels, or U.S. State Department risk above level 3, even if travel is to your home country.
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention Health Alerts
  • Familiarize yourself with Yale’s International Toolkit.

Completing Your Application

• Start early! The application opens on Monday, Feb 2, 2026. Priority deadline is April 1, 2026. Final deadline is May 1, 2026.
• Find the Summer Experience Award application in the Student Grants Database
• Ask questions as needed: sea@yale.edu
• Save time and effort: review the Student Eligibility and Experience Eligibility guidelines above. Not sure if you or your experience qualifies? Send us a message at sea@yale.edu.
• Double check the website of the organization, and your supervisor’s email and phone to be certain you enter it correctly in the application. Incorrect information will delay review of your application and delay funding.
• Stay in touch with your supervisor and let them know the Host Organization Verification (HOV) form will be sent to them by email. Ask them to complete the form as soon as possible.
• Continue to review the receipt status of the Host Organization Verification (HOV) form and follow up with your supervisor as necessary.

Choose between the Summer Experience Award and the International Study Award

For Summer 2026, students on financial aid can choose either the SEA or the ISA (those who have already used one award, may apply to the other). When choosing between the SEA and the ISA, a first consideration may be, do you prefer to study or to work? How do you hope to spend your subsequent summer? Watch this webinar for information on both programs. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Student Experience Grant (SEG) for Summer 2027. Meet with an advisor in OCS or Fellowships and Funding to discuss your options and craft a plan.