The White House White House Internship Program: Eligibility & How to Apply

Who can apply?

• Every applicant must be a US citizen, at least 18, pass drug testing and security screening, and agree to full-time in-person work.
• Students qualify if currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college or university and have completed two semesters before the internship start date. Graduates within two years of the start date, and veterans with a high school diploma or equivalent who served on active duty in the preceding two years, also qualify.
• The White House lists its selection criteria as a commitment to public service, demonstrated leadership in the community, and a commitment to the mission of the Trump Administration. Its FAQ says political preference is not a deciding factor but that applicants must be dedicated to the ideals and mission of the White House.
• Internships are unpaid and no intern housing is provided. Any outside income, funding or housing assistance received as an intern must be pre-approved.

Dates, pay & program timing

The published Summer 2027 timeline: application posted December 7, 2026; application deadline January 4, 2027; acceptance notifications begin February 15, 2027; internship from June 2 to August 6, 2027. No time of day is given for the deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and every material, including recommendation letters, must be in by the deadline. Interns should expect to work at least Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; limited exceptions for class requirements still require 4.5 days a week.

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 The White House

1. Check the two-semester rule against the June 2, 2027 start. A first-year student who finishes a second semester in May meets it; a student on a quarter calendar should confirm how the rule applies before investing in the application.
2. Line up recommendation letters early. They can come from anyone who can speak to your qualifications, character and commitment to public service, should be addressed to the White House Internship Program where possible, and must be uploaded through the portal as PDFs.
3. Apply through the online portal between December 7, 2026 and January 4, 2027. Hard copies are not accepted, and because review is rolling, submit as soon as the package is complete.

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

The selection criteria name community leadership and a commitment to public service. Choose one sustained responsibility — a role you held for a year, a program you ran, people who relied on you — and describe what changed because of your work, rather than listing memberships.

Price the unpaid term before applying: roughly ten weeks of Washington housing and daily costs, with no program housing. The FAQ points to schools and nonprofits for assistance and requires pre-approval of any such funding, so ask your school early what it offers.

Official sources & update notes

We reviewed these publisher pages on September 29, 2026. They establish the program facts above; our preparation suggestions are independent editorial guidance.

• Summer 2027 timeline: posting date, deadline, notifications and term dates
• Selection criteria, general requirements and enrollment conditions
• FAQ: unpaid status, hours, housing and recommendation letters
• Program overview: sessions, length and in-person format

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