Are you interested in making a positive impact on an issue or in a community that you care deeply about? Are you interested in deep learning about civic and community engagement? Are you interested in working on a civic-oriented summer project of your choice anywhere in the world, and getting paid to do so?
The Civic Scholars Program is an exciting and intensive two-year program with a paid summer project that will allow you to learn about and be involved in community change. Through this selective two-year program, students learn the skills necessary for assessing community strengths and challenges, gain knowledge about their areas of interest, develop a substantial summer project that can happen anywhere in the world. Students will also visit Washington DC and meet with many of the people that help make our democracy work.
Civic Scholars Application
The Civic Scholars Program is accepting applications from Dec. 18, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025 for students to start in Fall 2026. Check out our Practice Application PDF, and when you’re ready, click below to apply.
Submit a Recommendation
Recommendations are required for the Civic Scholars Program and should be written by a WashU professor. All recommendations are due by Feb. 2, 2025.
Civic Scholars Program Overview
| Program Focus | Civic Scholars is a rigorous two-year academic program that includes four semesters of coursework, leadership training, mentorship, experiential learning, overnight immersion trips, and a funded Civic Summer project. |
| Program Eligibility | Rising sophomores and rising juniors. |
| Regional Focus | Civic Summer projects can be completed anywhere within the US or internationally |
| Program Length | Civic Scholars is a two-year program completed Fall 2025 through Spring 2027 |
| Funding | $7,500 base stipend for Civic Summer + $1,000 supplemental stipend for students with families with high financial need, as determined by Student Financial Services. Civic Scholars may also apply for up to $1,000 to cover Civic Summer project expenses. Civic Summer projects based in St. Louis are eligible to apply for grants through the St. Louis Impact Fund. |
| Academic Credits | 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, international students are encouraged to apply for the Civic Scholars Program. Upon being selected, additional follow-up will be required through OISS to complete the appropriate documentation.
No, and in fact, much of the first year of the Civic Scholars Program will be spent focused on helping you develop and secure your Civic Summer project.
Yes, Civics will receive funding from the Gephardt Institute in the form of a $7,500 base stipend in lieu of summer earnings and to help offset living costs and expenses. Students with high financial need will also receive a $1,000 supplemental stipend. Eligibility is determined by Student Financial Services at the time of program acceptance.
Yes, as long as your study abroad experience happens before or after completion of the Civic Scholars Program. The current program structure requires completion of academic courses in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027, precluding studying abroad during that time. However, we are actively revisiting the current structure and anticipate the ability to study abroad in Spring 2027. If you are planning to study abroad during Spring 2027, we strongly encourage you to apply, and we will have more firm information when students are notified of program acceptance.
For questions about the Civic Scholars Program or the application process, please contact Dewitt Campbell, Manager of Civic Learning Initiatives, at dewittcampbell@wustl.edu.
Application Process
To submit a complete application, please do the following:
- Submit your online application, including your resume and short essay responses, by Feb. 2, 2025 at 9 p.m. CST.
We advise that you download the PDF Practice Application to view all application questions. Then, we recommend you draft your short essay responses in a word processing document like Word or Google Docs. When you’re ready to submit, copy and paste your responses from the document into the online form to avoid any potential technical issues. You can also use the fillable PDF to help you draft your application, but final responses must be submitted through the application form on our website. Please include all Washington University affiliations, including student organizations, scholarship programs, and work/internship commitments on your resume. Additionally, your resume should highlight any significant civic and community engagement experience.
- Have a WashU professor complete the online recommendation form by 9 p.m. CST on Feb. 2, 2025. Applicants should solicit one recommendation as part of your application. The recommender MUST be a WashU professor who has taught you in class. Click here to view a sample recommendation request letter.
Information Sessions and Drop-In Hours
We encourage attending one or more of the following information sessions or drop-in hours. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about our program, preview the application process, ask questions, and connect with Gephardt staff.
Information sessions and drop-in hours will be made available in-person and virtually. If you are not able to attend, please contact us with any questions.
Info Sessions
Thursday, Jan. 16
12 – 1 p.m.
Stix House Living Room and Online
Wednesday, Jan. 22
4 –5 p.m.
Stix House Living Room and Online
Drop-In Hours
Friday, Jan. 24
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stix House Living Room
Wednesday, Jan. 29
12 – 1 p.m.
Online
Campus Resources
In addition to information sessions and drop-in hours, applicants are encouraged to take advantage of WashU resources to support your application. The following offices offer one-on-one appointments, available to all WashU students:
| Resume & Interview Support | Essay Writing |
| The Career Center DUC 110 https://careercenter.wustl.edu | The Writing Center Mallinkrodt Center, Lower Level https://writingcenter.wustl.edu |