Updated October 1, 2024
Admissions
- All admitted students are governed by the Student Code of Conduct.
- You must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the program.
- The Washington Center (TWC) makes admissions decisions based on the strength of your application (including essays and other supporting documents), the approval of your home institution (if applicable) and a review of your internship interests and goals for the experience.
- Once you confirm your participation and submit a $200 deposit, TWC guarantees you an internship offer, contingent on your full participation in the internship search process. We cannot promise you a specific internship site placement.
- You must fully participate in all aspects of the program: the preparation and internship search, the internship, Career Readiness Programming and the evening course, unless otherwise noted.
- Your application form, plus the supporting documents you provide, become the property of The Washington Center and will be shown to potential internship site supervisors and your home institution. The materials will not be returned to you or transferred to other institutions or potential employers.
Academic Credit and Grades
- If you are an undergraduate student, you are required to earn credit for your participation in the Academic Internship Program.
- If you attend an institution that is affiliated with TWC, your institution may choose to award you credit directly or for you to earn transfer credit via Elon University, our school of record.
- Home institution credit: at the conclusion of your experience, TWC will send your home institution recommended grades for each component of the experience and your Campus Liaison will apply them to your academic record.
- Transfer credit: if your institution has elected to use our School of Record process* through Elon University, your home institution will receive a transcript conveying the academic credit and grades you earned during your experience.
- If you attend an institution that is not affiliated with TWC, you will earn transfer credit* via Elon University, our School of Record.
* To be admitted into our program and receive transfer credit via our School of Record, you must complete paperwork as instructed by The Washington Center. If you have questions about receiving credit, you should contact info@twc.edu, not Elon University.
Recent Graduates and Graduate Students
If you recently graduated with your undergraduate degree, or are a current graduate or law student, TWC will consider your application on an individual basis, and you may not be required to earn credit for your participation.
Billing and Payment
- TWC’s program and housing fees are published annually and available here.
- Upon admission, you are required to make a non-refundable $200 deposit prior to beginning the program and internship search. The deposit will be applied to the final invoice.
- Your admission decision email will provide details about any scholarships awarded and an estimate of the total cost for your participation in the program. You will also receive an official invoice and payment instructions. You will have two weeks from the date of your admission letter to confirm your participation. Failure to confirm within this period will result in the forfeiture of your space in the program.
- Your balance is due by the final payment deadline for each term or upon your acceptance of an internship site’s offer for the term, whichever comes first.
- If you confirm your participation in the program and are waiting for aid from your home institution you must submit a financial aid confirmation letter completed by your institution and a signed promissory note. If you are waiting for aid from another source (grants, scholarships, loans) to pay your invoice, you will be required to sign a promissory note or agree to a payment plan with TWC. Failure to honor the payment plan may result in penalties, including removal from the program or housing.
- If you have an outstanding balance, you may not check-in to TWC housing or start your internship, unless prior arrangements have been made.
- TWC will not release final grades until all outstanding balances have been paid in full.
Financial Aid
If you are receiving partial or full financial aid for participation in the Academic Internship Program, you are required to adhere to the following conditions:
- Acceptance of Offer: You must confirm your enrollment in the program and commit to participating in all components of the program, including the internship, Career Readiness Programming, evening course and any additional events or workshops as outlined by The Washington Center.
- Deposit: If you receive scholarships or have confirmed financial aid that covers the full cost to participate, TWC will refund the $200 deposit after you arrive in D.C.
- Non-Compliance: If you are removed from the program or housing due to conduct violations, failure to meet academic or internship requirements, or any other reason, you may be required to repay a portion or the entirety of the financial aid you received, including funds from TWC, government partners, or private donors.
- Housing: If any part of your financial assistance requires you to live in TWC-provided housing and you leave or are removed from housing for any reason, you may be required to repay those funds.
- Repayment: If, in the event of removal or non-compliance with program requirements, you are required to repay financial aid, you will be notified of the repayment amount and options for a payment plan.
Refunds and Cancellation
Once you confirm your participation and submit your $200 deposit, your participation is expected unless you notify TWC in writing of your intent to withdraw, at which point the following policies apply to all students:
- The $60 application fee and $200 program deposit are nonrefundable.
Program Fee
Once you confirm your participation and submit your $200 deposit:
- 100% of the program fee is due to TWC if you accept an internship site’s offer* and withdraw at any time or are dismissed from the Academic Internship Program due to a conduct violation, internship site dismissal, or any other reason
- 50% of the program fee is due if you withdraw after the final payment deadline, and you have not received or accepted an internship site’s offer*.
*In all circumstances, an internship position is considered “accepted” even if your placement is contingent on passing a background check.
Housing Fee
After you have completed your application for housing and paid your $75 security deposit:
- If you cancel prior to or on the last day to withdraw from housing for your chosen term (typically about 10 weeks from the check-in date), you will forfeit the $75 security deposit and receive a refund for any other amount paid for housing.
- If you cancel after the last day to withdraw from housing for your chosen term (typically about 10 weeks from the check-in date), you will forfeit your $75 security deposit and owe TWC 100% of the housing fee.
- If you are removed from TWC housing due to a conduct violation or other behavioral issue, you will remain responsible for 100% of the housing fee.
- No housing refunds will be issued after check-in.
All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to info@twc.edu.
Housing and Community Life
When you move into TWC-provided housing, you agree to abide by the policies in the Housing Reservation Contract, Student Code of Conduct, and the following terms and conditions:
- You must have medical insurance and provide proof of insurance upon request. You are responsible for any medical costs incurred during your time with TWC.
- The Washington Center is not responsible for any loss, theft or damage to your personal property and recommends that you insure your valuables.
- You are required to remit a $75 housing security deposit at the time that you submit your Community Profile, unless you plan to commute or live elsewhere. Your deposit will be refunded after any damage charges are deducted, with refunds processed no later than 45 days after check-out. If you are responsible for damages in excess of $75, TWC will charge you directly for the additional amount.
Internship Placement
- Once you accept an internship site’s offer, your decision is final, and you must inform other prospective sites that you are no longer available. You may not renege on your decision due to interest from another internship site.
- Internship offers contingent on background checks are considered final. If you fail a background check, TWC will work to identify alternative opportunities, though options may be limited by time constraints. If you choose to withdraw from the program after failing a background check, you will still be responsible for some or all program fees in accordance with the cancellation policy.
Media Release
By participating in The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program, you consent to the use of your image, likeness, video, and written or verbal testimonials for promotional, marketing or educational purposes by The Washington Center. This includes the use of such materials in print, digital and social media formats. If you do not wish to provide this consent, you must submit a written request to opt out at communications@twc.edu prior to the start of the program.
Liability Waiver
As a participant in The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program, you acknowledge that participation in any internship or related activities may involve risks, including, but not limited to, those associated with travel, internship participation, and residential living. By agreeing to participate, you assume all risks and responsibilities for any injury, illness, or loss of personal property that may occur. The Washington Center is not liable for any injuries or accidents that occur during your internship or while residing in TWC housing. You are required to maintain health insurance and encouraged to obtain property insurance for the duration of the program.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Washington Center is committed to providing an inclusive environment that respects the rights, dignity and diversity of all participants. TWC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other protected status in the admission process or throughout participation in the program. If you require accommodations due to a disability or any other protected condition, you must notify TWC in writing at least four weeks before the program begins to ensure proper arrangements can be made.
Photography and Video Use Policy
Throughout your participation in The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program, TWC staff may take photographs or videos at program-related events, seminars, or internships. These images and recordings may be used in promotional or educational materials for TWC. By participating in the program, you grant TWC the right to use such media in perpetuity for non-commercial purposes. If you wish to opt out of this, please submit a written request prior to the start of the program to communications@twc.edu.