Congressional Internship

Spend your summer interning in Washington, D.C. on the Hill!

In 2009, Northern Illinois University established an annual summer congressional internship program in Washington, D.C. This highly competitive program provides students with the opportunity to live, learn and work in the heart of our nation's capital. Four students will intern on the Hill for a member of the Illinois congressional delegation. You will receive a $6,000 scholarship to cover the cost of housing and some living expenses. Additionally, you will be eligible to receive a tuition waiver for six (6) credit hours courses if interested in pursing the experience for academic credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The program runs from late May through early August.

The NIU interns will live in Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH), just a short walk from the Capitol. You will live in a double room with a private bath and kitchen. The cost of housing (approximately $3,900) will be covered by the $6,000 scholarship and will be paid directly by NIU. The remaining money will cover additional living expenses, course fees (if applicable) and travel to and from Washington, D.C.

Your work schedules will be determined by the individual congressional office. However, you can expect to work 40-plus hours per week. The internship will be a demanding but rewarding experience.

You will have the option to enroll in POLS 490: Internship in Political Science and POLS 496: Independent Study in Political Science. Tuition will be waived for these courses. For more information on the academic requirements of the program, contact April Clark, Ph.D., at aclark9@niu.edu.

Applications are being taken through MyScholarships.The deadline to apply is Friday, November 9, 2019.

Contact Us

Department of Political Science
Zulauf Hall 415
815-753-1011
815-753-6302 (fax)

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. - noon
1 - 4:30 p.m.

Connect with us on