FAQs

If accepted, what happens to my current financial aid and scholarships the semester I intern? 

To ensure you are eligible for consideration of financial aid, you must be enrolled in a half-time course load (according to the UNT Registrar) during the semester you intern. 
The criteria for scholarships vary from scholarship to scholarship. You should confirm the requirements of your scholarship to determine any restrictions. Scholarship criteria may be obtained from the department of your major, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, or the external donor of your award. You can attain a waiver from the Office of Financial Aid for your semester in DC for certain UNT scholarships. 

What semesters are the internship available? 

The NTDC internship program is available for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Fall and spring internships last the length of the semester (approximately 15-16 weeks). Summer internships are shorter. Summer internships last about 6 weeks and depart directly after the spring semester ends.

How many hours of course credit can I get while I am in DC? 

Students may receive up to six hours credit for the fall or spring semester and up to three hours for the summer internship. Determination of credit hours is at the discretion of the student’s advisor.
Students should work with their academic department to determine the best class(es) in which to register. In most cases, departments have internship or special problems courses that will accommodate the needs of your NTDC internship. A university course, UCRS 4800/5800, was created for those areas that do not have one, or where the internship requirements for the department do not match with that of the NTDC internship.

Where do NTDC interns live? 

Interns will live in housing that is chosen and paid for by the NTDC program administrators. NTDC generally uses WISH (Washington Intern Student Housing) to accommodate the interns. All WISH locations house student-interns only and are within walking distance to Capitol Hill. NTDC makes an effort to ensure that all UNT interns are assigned the same housing location. Most of the WISH properties are set up in a dorm fashion, with two students per room. You can learn more by visiting the WISH website: http://internsdc.com/

Are travel costs covered by the NTDC program or are they the responsibility of the interns? 

Travel costs are not covered by the NTDC program at the current time.

What is the application process? 

The application process is made up of three steps: the written application, a group interview, and a panel interview. After applications are turned in, applicants will go through a group interview that will last approximately one hour. If chosen to go through the next round, the applicants will then go through a 30-minute panel interview. After all interviews have been conducted, the panel will select the final group that will be offered the opportunity to participate in the NTDC program.

Where have students interned in the past? 

Students have interned in over 40 offices, including the congressional offices of Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Michael Burgess, and Congressman Henry Cuellar, as well as Museums such as the Naval Art Museum, Smithsonian American History Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery. Students have also interned in organizations such as the Hudson Institute, the International Rescue Committee, and the American Security Project.