The program runs three semesters—spring, summer, and fall. Modification of this structure may be possible based on conversations between the student, supervisor, and Outreach Experiential Learning team.
If selected, you will be expected to:
- Attend all mandatory information sessions and workshops
- Complete a free, noncredit course through Canvas
- Meet each week with assigned faculty or staff supervisor
- Complete assessments before, during, and at the end of your project/experience, including a written reflection
- Create and present a poster at the Experiential Learning Showcase or other regional showcase event
You may spend funds on costs attributable to the project/experience, like housing, transportation, food, or living expenses. Lab materials and supplies directly connected to the experience are also allowable expenses. Funding cannot be used for tuition, student club or organization fees and dues (including Greek organizational expenses), research or projects that are not supervised by a Penn State faculty member, personal travel or side trips not affiliated with the University, personal bills or expenses, or miscellaneous costs that don’t directly pertain to a Penn State experiential learning opportunity.
You will be manually added to the course if you are selected as part of a Fellows cohort.
You will be asked to serve as an experiential learning ambassador until you graduate. You may also be invited to serve as an experiential learning coach in the UpSkill Canvas course, attend events, post on social media, possibly travel to conferences, and otherwise serve as a leader in the experiential learning space.
Although this is typically not the case, in certain cases receiving a grant could result in a hold being placed on your account. Please contact the Office of Student Aid for more information on how your account may be impacted. Outreach will also address this question in the mandatory information session for award recipients.
No, graduate students are encouraged to explore the Keystone Community Partnerships program for a similar learning experience.
No. Student clubs and organization leaders are encouraged to seek funding first through their campus allocations committee, academic department or college, and/or student government.
You may only apply for one award per cycle. You can apply as many times as you wish, but after you receive an award, you are not eligible for additional funding. You may receive one Impact Fellowship award as an undergraduate student.
Two or more students may apply together under one project title, with the faculty/staff supervisor’s permission, but will share the award amount of $2,000 per the determination of their supervisor.
Please email Michael Zeman at mjz120@psu.edu if you have additional questions.