InternshipsVA

InternshipsVA, funded by the Commonwealth’s Innovative Internship Fund and Program, aims to expand paid and credit-bearing student internships and other work-based learning opportunities in collaboration with Virginia employers. Matching funds are available to Virginia employers that provide paid internships for students enrolled in public and private Virginia colleges and universities.  

• To be eligible for the InternshipsVA matching grant program, employers must: 
  
  • Complete the required training 
  • Be a for-profit or a non-profit organization with physical operations in Virginia 
  • Be registered and in good standing with the State Corporation Commission 
  • Have 150 or fewer Virginia-based full-time employees
  • Provide an internship opportunity with valuable work experience, career knowledge, and mentorship
  • Pay the intern at least Virginia minimum wage 
  • Provide an internship for a minimum of 120 hours and eight weeks  
• The matching grant program can reimburse an employer one-half of the intern’s wages, up to $7,500 per intern per state fiscal year (July 1-June 30) and a maximum of $75,000 for ten interns per state fiscal year.
• The matching grant program cannot reimburse an employer for a number of interns that exceeds the organization’s total number of employees at any given time.
• Interns must be currently enrolled at a Virginia higher education institution or intending to enroll in the upcoming semester. Interns must have a high school diploma and cannot have already completed their undergraduate degree. 
• Employers are responsible for sourcing, selecting, onboarding, and hiring interns, either directly or through a staffing service of the employer’s choice, as well as managing the interns. VEDP’s Regional Internship Managers are available to support employers with this process and share available resources.
• Employers must submit a matching grant program application at least two weeks in advance of the internship.
• One employer application may be submitted for multiple internships planned for up to a 12-month period, but reimbursement requests must be submitted separately for each intern upon completion of each internship. 
• The deadline to submit a reimbursement request is 60 days after the end date of the internship period. Employers must have already paid the intern wages before requesting reimbursement. Reimbursement is limited to actual wages paid to the intern by the employer. Payroll taxes are not eligible for reimbursement. Proof of payment for intern wages reflecting gross pay is required for reimbursement.  
• The reimbursement request form will include a post-internship survey for the purpose of program improvements.   
• Reimbursement requests will be reviewed by VEDP within one week of receipt. After a reimbursement request is approved, VEDP will disburse the funds within 30 days to the employer either electronically (if EDI is requested) or to the address on the W9 submitted by the employer.

InternshipsVA Matching Grant Application

InternshipsVA Matching Grant Reimbursement Form

Federal W9 Form

Electronic Data Interchange Form 

A Guide for Employers on Getting Started in Handshake

Handshake Resources for Employers, Institutions, and Students 

Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP)

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