Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service

Program Benefits

Each year, ten USC Schaeffer Fellows are selected by the university to join a national cohort of 50 Schaeffer Fellows from five universities. Together, the cohort engages in a robust summer program that combines full-time internships with opportunities to explore public service, build professional networks, and strengthen transferable skills for any career path.

Living Stipend

Schaeffer Fellows receive $6,000 living stipend, disbursed in three payments over the summer, to help support cost of living. Fellows interning in Washington, D.C. receive an additional $500 relocation stipend.

Fellows have discretion over how they use the stipend, which is intended to help with relocation, housing, and other expenses. Fellows should anticipate some out of pocket expenses during the summer. Students with demonstrated financial need may request additional funding by contacting Willa Erickson at werickso@usc.edu.

Alumni Mentorship

Each Fellow is paired with a USC alumnus, often also a Schaeffer Fellow alum, who serves as a mentor. Fellows meet with their mentor 3-4 times during the summer to reflect on the internship experience and discuss career goals.

Schaeffer Fellows Summit

All Fellows receive full funding to attend the Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C. in June. The Summit provides professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and programming designed to expand Fellows’ understanding of public service.

Schaeffer Fellows Network

Schaeffer Fellows gain access to an exclusive online network that allows them to connect with peers in their cohort, engage with the broader alumni community, and benefit from tailored program resources.

Central Program Dates

• Late Spring: Schaeffer Fellows Virtual Orientation
• Early May: USC cohort welcome lunch
• Late May: Internships begin (no later than the first week of June
• Late June: Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C.
• August: Internships conclude
• October: Schaeffer Fellows Fall Recognition event at USC

Fellows are required to meet all program expectations and attend all events as detailed by USC and the central program.

Selection Process

Selection is conducted on a rolling basis through the following four-stage process.

Stage 1: Online Application (Due January)

Students apply online through SurveyMonkey Apply. Applicants will be asked to describe their policy interests, relevant experience, and internship goals.

Stage 2: Interviews (Early February)

Applications are reviewed for eligibility and overall fit for the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows program. Selected applicants are invited to participate in interviews in early February.

Stage 3: Hiring Pool (March-April)

Following interviews, strong candidates are invited into the hiring pool for rolling consideration for both university-secured or self-secured internships.

Internships

University-Secured Internships (Identified by USC Program Staff)

University-secured internships are arranged by the USC program, typically with California elected officials or agencies in Los Angeles, Sacramento, or Washington, D.C. Candidates in the hiring pool are invited to apply directly to a university-secured internship on a rolling basis until those positions are filled. Host offices make final hiring decisions and the program supports up to one Schaeffer Fellow in each university-secured internship. Hiring timelines vary.

Applicants who agree to interview with a university-secured internship host office are expected to accept an offer if extended.

Prospective 2026 university-secured internships include but are not limited to (list subject to change):

• California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Press Team
• California Natural Resources Agency, Office of Expo Park Management
• Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office
• Office of Congressmember David Schweikert (AZ-01)
• Office of the Governor of California
• Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (CA)
• Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (NM)
• U.S. Space Force – SpaceWERX

Self-Secured Internships (Identified by Applicants)

Self-secured internships are independently identified and pursued by applicants. Each year, the program supports several Fellows who secure offers from government offices, contingent on background checks or clearance processes (if required). Review the “Resources” tab for helpful links to identify internship opportunities.

• Internships with think tanks, non-profit organizations, or political campaigns are not eligible.
• Be patient. Program staff prioritize placement of university-secured internships before reviewing candidates with self-secured offers. Candidates are responsible for providing program staff updates on their internship search progress.

Stage 4: Final Selection

• Each year, USC selects ten Schaeffer Fellows with the goal of building a diverse cohort that reflects different government levels, policy interests, and academic fields.
• Final selections are mare on a rolling basis through early April. We strive to notify applicants promptly and maintain close communication throughout the process. However, government hiring timelines vary, and applicants should expect some waiting. If you are uncomfortable with the prospect of an elongated selection process, you may withdraw from the hiring pool.
• If you are in consideration for other summer programs, please notify our staff. In certain cases, you may be unable to participate in another program in tandem with the Schaeffer Fellows program.
• The only required action at this stage is to continue in the hiring process. Final selection is based on a combination of the application, interview, and confirmation of a qualified government internship.
• You must have an internship to be offered a Schaeffer Fellowship, however, receiving an internship offer is not a guarantee of a Schaeffer Fellowship. Priority is given to candidates placed in university-secured internships before extending offers to those with self-secured internships.

How to Apply

Each year, ten USC students are selected as Schaeffer Fellows to complete full-time internships (35-40 hours per week) for ten weeks, typically running from late May through mid-August.

Before starting an application, carefully review the information under the “Selection Process” tab.

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2026 Application Timeline

• November 3, 2025: Online Application opens
• January 20, 2026: Application Deadline by 11:59pm PT
• Early February: First-round interviews with USC staff
• March-April: Hiring pool for university-secured and self-secured internships
• Mid-April: USC Schaeffer Fellows cohort confirmed on a rolling basis (timeline subject to change)
• Mid-May: Virtual Orientation for the central program
• Late May: Internships begin (no later than June 1st)

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following by the campus deadline:

1. Online Application Form including: personal and academic information, statement of interest in becoming a Schaeffer Fellow, policy area(s) of interest, and internship preferences.
   • Candidates will rank their top three university-secured positions (at least one brief cover letter required) or provide details about in-progress self-secured internship applications.
   • Applicants pursuing self-secured opportunities may still indicate interest in university-secured positions.
2. Résumé (2 pages max.) including education, work history, public service experience, and other relevant skills.
3. Two recommendation forms with at least one from a USC faculty member. Applicants invite two referees to complete a form through the online application (preview recommendation form here). Recommendation forms must be submitted by the application deadline.

Applicants should carefully review the “Selection Process” tab prior to starting an application. This section includes details on the selection process and a list of prospective university-secured internships.

Resources

View a recorded information session about the 2026 USC application.

Resources for Self-Secured Federal Positions

If interested in internships with federal agencies, committees, or specific representatives, candidates will need to apply directly according to the office’s hiring timeline. Our staff cannot guarantee specific placements with these offices as university-secured opportunities.

Many federal internships have earlier deadlines. Use the resources below to explore opportunities:

• U.S. State Department Student Internship Program
• U.S. House of Representatives College Internships – Members & Committees
• U.S. Senate Internship Opportunities Bulletin
• Search your local, state, or federal representatives
• United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California

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Security Clearance Process

Most positions require Live Scan/fingerprinting. Allow sufficient time to complete this step as directed by the host office.

Even when a background check or security clearance is required, the internship must begin no later than early June to ensure ten weeks are completed before the fall semester. Please note: the U.S. State Department clearance process may take as long as 150 days or more (~4-5 months). 

A pending security clearance does not automatically disqualify applicants. However, to be selected as a Schaeffer Fellow, candidates must have an active security clearance (if required for the internship) and have a confirmed internship offer. What is a security clearance?

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Examples of Previous Internships

View examples of past internships from all five University Partners

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Submit an Application

Before starting an application, please thoroughly review all of the information on this page.