The Carolyn (BSILR ’91) and Michael Richmond Professional Development Fund, established by generous donation, provides support to undergraduate students enrolled in the ILR School, assisting with costs associated with professional and practical experiences.

Selection is not based solely on financial need, and receiving financial aid is not an eligibility requirement. However, interested students must demonstrate a specific need in their application.

What Expenses Can Be Funded?

The grant funds are intended to help subsidize a student’s budget and should not be seen as an exclusive source of financing for their experience. This grant is not intended to offset an unpaid opportunity. Instead, it aids with unmet needs. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Professional attire needed for a specific professional experience (i.e., interview, internship, conference)
• Daily commuting costs in relation to the experience
• Travel and relocation expenses for the experience* (i.e. internship, etc.)
• Technology needs in relation to the experience (limited)
• Fees and travel expenses for domestic case competitions and professional conferences

* Please note: International travel cannot be funded at this time

What is not eligible:

• Graduate/professional school exam prep materials/courses and exam fees
• Graduate school-related expenses (application fees, travel, etc.)
• Tuition or fee-based programs
• Any experience through ILR-sponsored programs in the Office of Engaged and Experiential Programs (Credit Internship Program, High Road Fellowships, International Programs, Summer Research Fellows Program, Worker Institute Research Fellowships, etc.)

Summer Experiences:

• If you are looking for support for a summer experience, please apply to the Summer Experience Grant. You will be considered for all funds through, including the Richmond fund, through this application.

Who Can Apply?

Students must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to apply for funding:

• Be a currently enrolled, matriculated undergraduate student in the ILR School (BSILR).
• Demonstrate unmet need. (Students are not required to be eligible for financial aid).
• Be in the pursuit of a professional opportunity; students are no longer eligible once they have graduated.

Students are NOT eligible to apply for funding if:

• They are on a leave of absence.
• They are currently studying abroad.
• They have graduated (are considered an alum).
• *Students with Cornell Career Services Campus Recruiting policy violations may not be eligible and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 Funding Eligibility and Priority Details:

• Students who are traveling to or whose permanent address is within a 100-mile radius of the destination are not eligible for overnight expenses. Transportation may be reimbursable.
• Only domestic travel is eligible.
• Receiving financial aid is not a requirement; however, students with the highest financial need are given preference.

How Does Funding Work?

Step 1: Student submits an application, including a budget with anticipated costs.

• Students may be asked to set up a meeting with ILR OCS to discuss the request.

Step 2: Applications are reviewed on the 1^st and 15^th of every month.

Step 3: If approved, the student will be asked to sign and return a grant contract.

Step 4: Students will purchase approved items and submit receipts for all purchases.*

Step 5: Once receipts are received, OCS staff will submit a fund request to Financial Aid (please allow at least 2 weeks for processing).

• Once processed by Financial Aid, the student will receive a reimbursement check for the sum of the grant awarded.
  • Students may set up direct deposit to have the funds disbursed directly into their account.

Step 6: Final Step: Students will be asked to write a thank-you letter and submit a photograph to be shared with fund donors.

*Please note: If you have significant financial need, we can cover half of the cost upfront. However, we will not provide the full reimbursement until we receive all receipts. Please submit ASAP; otherwise, it will delay the process.

Funding Caps

The amounts below are the maximum threshold a student may receive based on need and funding availability and are not guaranteed amounts.

What Are the Application Reviewers Seeking?

• A clear alignment between your funding request and your career objectives. Key considerations include clarifying your career aspirations, explaining how the requested funding will propel your career forward, and detailing how it will facilitate opportunities such as internships, employment, or admission to graduate school.
• An accurate and transparent depiction of your financial situation, which has prompted you to seek funding. The second short essay’s response will significantly influence funding eligibility for students who are not recipients of financial aid.
• A funding application that aligns with the intended purpose of the Carolyn and Michael Richmond Professional Development Fund. This fund is exclusively designated for practical and professional experiential purposes. Requests for personal needs or student activities will not be taken into consideration.
• Priority is given to requests for opportunities that cannot be sustained through other available funds, whether on or off campus. There are numerous offices and academic units on campus offering financial support for undergraduate professional development.
• In cases where the review committee deems it more suitable, applicants may be referred to these alternative resources.
• Conversely, if it is determined that an applicant has already secured funding from another source, applicants will be considered for the difference between the initial requested amount and support received, if any. If they received the requested funding amount, the application will no longer be considered. 
• Sufficient time for thorough review and processing of funding requests. While we accept applications outside of our standard review timeline, we cannot guarantee processing within a shorter timeframe.

SUMMER FUNDING REQUESTS

Summer Internships/ Volunteering Experiences

If you are looking for support for a multi-week summer experience (internship, ongoing volunteering, etc.), please apply for the Summer Experience Grant. You will be considered for all funds through this one application, including the Richmond Fund. 

Summer Conferences, Interview Support, and Short Term Experiences

If you need support for a week-long experience, summer conference, or financial help with interviews (professional clothing, transportation, overnight stays, etc.) please continue to fill out this application. 

IMPORTANT TIMING INFORMATION

Applications will be reviewed on the 1st and 15th of every month. To allow for application and funding processing time, we recommend applying at least 4 weeks in advance of when you need to begin paying for your professional development opportunity.

Please note: The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment specifies to allow at least 2 weeks for them to process and disburse funding to the student. Arrival of funds is contingent upon processing at Financial Aid. The ILR Office of Career Services has no ability to expedite funding. We appreciate your patience in the processing of your check.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Respond to 3 short essay questions:
  • Please describe your career interests and goals. (If you are still exploring, please share where you are in your exploration process.)
  • How will receiving this funding contribute to furthering your career development? Be specific about the career outcomes and/or benefits to you.
  • Description of your financial circumstances to help us understand your unmet funding needs.
• List any additional funding sources from which you requested support.
• Provide a budget detailing funding needs.
• Submit all receipts. (If you plan to complete the purchases after approval, you may upload a screenshot of your cart with the full cost, including tax, instead.)

Click here to apply!