The Robert J. Waters and Patricia J. Beneke Endowed Washington, D.C. Experience Scholarship

The Robert J. Waters and Patricia J. Beneke Endowed Washington, D.C. Experience Scholarship

This scholarship supports Drake students with internships in Washington, D.C., to enable undergraduate or graduate students (including law students) with an interest in and commitment to public service to work with congressional or executive branch federal government offices or private organizations engaged in addressing:

• Delivery of universal, high-quality health care
• Enhanced human, women’s, LGBTQ, and civil rights
• Improved civic engagement and effective governance
• Expanded disability rights; a strong system of accessible public education
• Sustainability, environmental protection and climate change

The Robert J. Waters and Patricia J. Beneke Endowed Washington, D.C. Experience Scholarship is administered by The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University.

Are you interested in pursuing a summer internship in Washington D.C. but unsure where to begin? The staff at The Harkin Institute can help!

Financial Information

Scholarship Coverage and Compensation

The stipend for this scholarship covers the recipient’s housing accommodations for the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester with Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH), a non-refundable room deposit, as well as travel expenses as outllined by Drake’s travel expense policies. Funds will be paid directly to the third party.

Recipients will be responsible for any room damages incurred during their stay.

Under extreme circumstances, an applicant may apply for additional funding by providing:

• Budget and documentation to support the request for additional funding (i.e., past bills and contracts)
• Financial aid package for the current school year
• Personal statement explaining the special circumstances

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required for The Harkin Institute D.C. Experience Scholarship:

• The applicant must be a student at Drake University
• The applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater
• The applicant must complete an application form and submit the required documents by the stated deadline
• The recipient must complete the following term* as a full-time student at Drake University following the summer D.C. internship

*If completing a Spring internship, recipient must be enrolled at Drake for either the following Summer or Fall term

Recipient Selection

The Harkin Institute Scholarship Advisory Committee will review all application materials and choose recipients during the spring semester.

The Harkin Institute Scholarship Advisory Committee Members

Members of the Advisory Committee include: Johnston Mayor, Paula Dierenfeld; Former Senator Harkin staffer, Ray Walton; Denise Stowman, Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Drake University; and Retired Senator Tom Harkin.

Recipient selection is based on the following:

• Previous work/volunteer experiences and extracurricular activities
• Grade point average
• Applicant’s written essay
• Faculty recommendation

Timeline for the selection

• The deadline to apply for a Summer 2024 scholarship is March 1, the Fall 2024 deadline is June 1, and the Spring 2025 deadline is October 1. 
• Recipients will be selected by the date enrollment begins for the following semester.
• Recipients will be provided a deadline following that notification in which they must accept the scholarship offer and return the formal acceptance letter to The Harkin Institute.
• If selected, the scholarship will be contingent upon the recipient securing an internship and providing an offer letter. You may apply for the scholarship before accepting an internship.