Undergraduate Career Accelerator Fund

Who is eligible for the CAF? 

• Any College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate student who: 1) has obtained an unpaid or minimally paid internship, research role, or other career-building experience, 2) has NOT received a Morrill Scholarship or other ‘full-ride’ scholarship, 3) is NOT a full-time Ohio State employee, 4) has NOT received a CAF award in the previous semester, 5) is in good academic standing (NOT on academic probation or special-action probation). 
• Master’s and PhD students are eligible for the Graduate CAF. 

Do I have to be a student on the Columbus campus to apply for the CAF?  

• Yes. Currently, students on the regional campuses are not eligible for the CAF scholarship.  

Can I be a first-year undergraduate student and apply for the CAF?  

• Yes  

Do I have to have an internship, research opportunity, or other career-building opportunity before I apply for the CAF?  

• Yes  

I am graduating in the next semester. Am I eligible to apply for CAF funding? 

• Yes. Please note that any award received will be applied to your previous semester’s statement. 

How many times may a student receive CAF Funding? 

• Students are only eligible to receive the CAF once during their undergraduate career. 

How is it decided who will get the CAF?  

• There are several factors that the selection committee considers when determining recipients: the merit of the internship experience, the applicant’s financial need, the total number of applicants, and the amount of funds that are available. The funding amount and number of applicants can vary.

Who decides if I get the CAF?  

• A selection committee that may consist of any number of faculty, member (s) from the advancement office, alumni, and Career Success Staff. 

• This can include a variety of experiences that help you develop skills and knowledge relevant to your future career goals. Here are some examples:
  • Independent Projects: Working on a project under the guidance of a professor, industry professional, or community leader can be a valuable way to gain experience and showcase your skills. Make sure the professional agrees to mentor or supervise your work.
  • Articulating the Value: In your application materials, explain how the project aligns with your career goals. This demonstrates your focus and initiative.

• If you're applying for the CAF (Career Accelerator Fund) and include a career-building opportunity, you'll need to meet with a professional Career Coach. You can schedule this appointment through Handshake before submitting your application.
• Before meeting with a coach, please prepare and be ready to present a proposal that outlines the details of this opportunity. Your proposal should include the following:
  • The point of contact for the opportunity
  • A description of the opportunity
  • The duration of the opportunity
  • The frequency of check-ins with a supervisor

What does “minimally paid” mean?  

• This can vary when assessing an application. “Minimally paid” can mean a student receives some payment during their internship that is not commensurate with the duties of their internship, only a small stipend is offered, or the stipend is given at the end of the internship. These are only a few examples of “minimally paid.” Each application is carefully reviewed on an individual basis.  

Use this tool to help calculate how much you will need to make based on the location of your opportunity. 

Living Wage Calculator

Why do you need to talk to my supervisor? 

• To ensure a smooth application process, we'll verify your internship, research experience, or other career-building opportunity directly with your supervisor. This helps us to validate your learning opportunity. We've provided a Career Opportunity Confirmation Template to make this process easier for you and your supervisor. Using this template, your supervisor can quickly confirm your experience and explain your role. Before you send your letter, make sure it contains a business address, phone number, and email address, as well as the name and title of your supervisor. Please note that applications with unconfirmed experiences will not be considered.  

The application requires a resume. 

• Consider using this template when crafting your resume. For quick resume reviews, drop by our Career Studio and have a Peer Career Coach look it over. For a deeper review, log into Handshake to schedule an appointment with a professional Career Coach. 

NOTE: All applicants must visit the ASC Career Studio to have their resume reviewed by a Peer Career Coach (PCC) before submitting. The Career Studio is located near the eastern entrance of Denney Hall. No appointment is required to meet with a PCC. They will record the purpose of your visit for your CAF application. Remember to record the date, time, and name of the PCC for future verification.

How do I determine my expenses?  

• Start by considering the financial obligations you will have while completing your internship. If the responsibilities of your internship will prevent you from working or will cause you to reduce your hours at work, those expenses should be reported. Travel costs to and from an internship site, materials needed for your internship, and temporary relocation fees are other expenses to consider when asking for aid.  

NOTE* The Career Accelerator Fund can not be used to cover the cost of obtaining or renewing passports or visas. 

How do I go about creating a budget for my CAF application? 

• To document your financial need, please use the Career Accelerator Fund Budget Worksheet (CAF BUDGET WORKSHEET).  You’ll need to attach the completed worksheet to your application.  For guidelines on what can and cannot be included as expenses, please refer to the CAF BUDGET GUIDELINES. 
• It is recommended that you view past examples of budgets from successful CAF applications. Additionally, this video walks you through the steps for creating your budget plan.  

How To Complete CAF Budget Worksheet Video

How do I complete and submit the budget worksheet? 

• Once your CAF BUDGET WORKSHEET is completed, please save the file LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_BUDGET_SU2024 and make sure the tables all show clearly. 
• Once saved appropriately, please include your completed Budget Worksheet with your application in Scholarship Universe.
• Note: Your application will be incomplete until your completed Budget Worksheet has been submitted, so please make sure to submit it as soon as possible. 

A student may not receive financial aid and other resources in excess of the annual cost of attendance at the university in accordance with federal guidelines.  If you receive additional financial resources and/or assistance after the date of confirmation from Buckeye Link, it may impact your eligibility for the CAF. 

What if I am receiving (or wish to receive) academic credit for my opportunity?  

• Consult with your academic advisor about opportunities to register your opportunity for academic credit through a major-specific internship course, or one administered by the Center for Career and Professional Success. Click here to learn more.  
• Note to international students: Before enrolling in one of the ARTSSCI internship courses, an international student must have a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) form on file with the Office of International Affairs (OIA). International students can learn more about CPT here. 

Where can I find the CAF application? 

• The application period for the 2025 summer term begins on January 2nd, 2025, and ends on March 17th, 2025. 
• The CAF application can be found in Scholarship Universe, your single source for Ohio State and external scholarships. Simply log in to the platform using your OSU credentials and make sure to search "Career Accelerator Fund", 

Who should I contact if I have a question? 

• If you are faculty or staff with questions, please reach out to Internship Specialist Joi Brihm-Spann at brihm-spann.1@osu.edu.
• For students with questions,  please reach out to Career Coach, Barbara Harvey at harvey.669@osu.edu .