DS

US Department of State / independent application guide

Paid Student Internship Program: eligibility & how to apply

Paid foreign-affairs experience supporting policy, communications, events, reporting, and government operations in US and overseas offices.

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College yearUndergraduate juniors and seniors
CompensationPaid
Location / arrangementUS and overseas postsBureau or post specific
Availability at reviewFuture cycle updates pending

Who can apply?

  • The official undergraduate route is for current juniors and seniors; graduate students have a separate eligible route not covered by this directory.
  • The current program page requires a transcript confirming student status and directs applicants through the official State Department application system.
  • Citizenship, academic standing, security, availability, and other controlling requirements must be confirmed on the current eligibility page and announcement.
Easy to miss

An announcement that a future cycle is coming is not an open application or a promise of a particular start date.

Dates, pay & program timing

No universal cutoff confirmed

The program page says future-cycle updates will be released in coming months. Paid interns receive GS-04 step 1 base pay; the program also describes reasonable travel support and housing assistance. No future application date is inferred.

View the deadline calendar

These details reflect the sources at the review date. An overview is not a live job offer. Check the official page for today's application status and the selected opening's written terms.

How to apply to US Department of State

  1. Review every current eligibility condition before a new cycle opens.
  2. Prepare the transcript and a federal-style record of education, service, languages, writing, and relevant experience.
  3. Apply through the State Department's official Gateway when a cycle is announced and keep all bureau or post selections in your records.
Check official program & apply

You leave FirstInternships to apply. We do not accept applications, offer referrals, or represent the employer.

Our editorial advice · not employer requirements

How to prepare a stronger application

Connect your experience to a government function such as writing, research, public engagement, languages, logistics, data, or program support.

Start identity, transcript, and background-history records early; security-related processes can require precise information.

Your preparation, on this device

Make it a plan.

Checking an item saves this program. These are planning prompts, not a substitute for the employer's full requirements.

Add a stage & next action

Official sources & update notes

We reviewed these publisher pages on . They establish the program facts above; our preparation suggestions are independent editorial guidance.

We do not infer deadlines, remote eligibility, or guaranteed offers from older recruiting cycles. Read our editorial process.

Prepare the documents you need

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