Cost of living in the Washington, D.C. area is extremely high, yet most Federal student interns do not get paid or receive adequate compensation for living expenses. These internship programs provide a unique opportunity for our future leaders to gain valuable profession experience. They are highly competitive and are awarded to some of the brightest young minds in America. However, the expenses of living in the D.C. area can deter qualified applicants from accepting or applying to these highly coveted internships.
We ask that Federal Internship Programs: A) Mandate paying their student interns an hourly wage to help deter the cost of living while working in the D.C. area or B) Establish a financial aid office to assist student interns with financial constraints.