ฅ՞•ﻌ•՞ฅ Hi, girlies!

Back-to-school season is here, and fall is closer than it feels! Fall is one of the most important times of the year for students because college applications open, many major scholarships begin accepting applications, and companies start recruiting for next summer’s internships.

If you completed an internship this summer and are graduating soon, we hope you received a return offer! If not, that is completely okay. Update your résumé, stay connected with your internship team, and begin applying early—many opportunities for next year will open soon.

This is your reminder to prepare your application materials, request recommendations, and keep checking deadlines. Your next opportunity may open earlier than you expect!

_{✩ Final days to apply for these opportunities ✩}

Finishing an internship does not mean your relationship with the organization has to end. What you do afterward can help you secure another internship, a recommendation, or even a future job offer.

Before your last day:

Can you receive a job offer one year before graduating?

Yes! Some companies give rising seniors a full-time “return offer” at the end of their junior-year internship. The offer is usually conditional on completing your degree and may have a start date after graduation.

If you do not receive an offer, do not assume you performed poorly. The team may not have openings or may still be planning its hiring needs. Ask directly:

“I really enjoyed working with the team and would love to return after graduation. Do you anticipate any full-time opportunities for next year, and what would the process look like?”

After the internship, update your résumé and LinkedIn while your accomplishments are fresh. Stay in contact with your manager every few months and let them know when you begin applying for full-time positions.

Your internship can lead to future opportunities even if the organization does not hire high school students permanently.

Before leaving:

Keep your supervisor updated when you reach an important milestone, such as applying to college, choosing a major, or looking for another internship. A strong professional connection may later help you find scholarships, recommendations, mentorship, or new opportunities.

GOC Tip: Do not wait until you need something to reconnect. A brief update or thank-you message can help you maintain a genuine professional relationship.

✨ We usually don’t promote no-essay scholarships, but I personally spoke with the ScholarshipOwl team and they were really kind. They actually have 4 real winners every month, and students have used the funds for college, food, and even vet school! The $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship is open now and super easy to apply for — no GPA, no essay, just a quick form.

50 winners in total |$1000 each | 🗓️ Deadline: August 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT
👉 Apply here

Open to high school and college students attending an accredited college or university in 2026. Applicants must submit an essay responding to the scholarship prompt.

Award: $1,000
Deadline: August 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Information: https://rusticpathways.com/students/scholarships/global-perspectives-scholarship
Apply: Link

Open to students pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree. The application accepts several residency categories, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and international students.

Award: $2,000
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Apply: https://smartercollege.org/scholarship-application/v5

This easy-entry scholarship supports students preparing for college and navigating the application process. Applicants can apply online for free.

Award: $1,000
Deadline: September 1, 2026
Apply: Link

Open to 2026 California high school graduates of Mexican or Latino heritage with at least a 2.5 GPA and admission to an accredited college or university. Applicants must live in an eligible California county and submit a personal essay of up to 500 words.

Award: $1,000–$1,500
Deadline: September 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Information and application: https://maof.org/becasalas

Open to students seeking financial assistance for their education and committed to advancing their academic goals. The application is free.

Award: $1,000
Deadline: September 7, 2026
Apply: link

Here is the a list for high school students and undergraduates, sorted by deadline:

1. $1,000 Climate Curve Constellations Fellowship
A fully remote, 12–14-week fellowship connecting participants with climate organizations in research, communications, data, sustainability, business, and other areas.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and recent graduates
Stipend: $1,000
Information: https://lnkd.in/gPh_7Dzy

2. $300 NextGen Program
A fall career-development program introducing young people to public-service careers through workshops and professional activities.
Eligibility: San Francisco students
Stipend: $300 after completing the program
Program dates: October–December 2026
Information: https://www.sf.gov/opportunities-for-youth-ages-14-24

3. $500 National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy Externship
A fully remote, eight-week conservation program focused on environmental research, mapping, data visualization, and science communication.
Eligibility: High school graduates and undergraduates worldwide ages 18–25; no previous conservation experience required
Stipend: $500 after successful completion
Program dates: September 14–November 2026
Information: https://www.extern.com/national-geographic-society-the-nature-conservancy-externships/community-conservation-data-visualization-and-mapping-externship

4. Up to $2,500 True Blue Fellowship
A remote youth fellowship supporting creative projects addressing oceans, waterways, environmental justice, and climate change.
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, groups, and youth-led organizations worldwide; applicants must be ages 16–24
Funding: Up to $2,500 in project funding, plus mentorship and training
Program dates: January–December 2027
Deadline time: 11:59 p.m. ET
Information: https://bowseat.org/programs/true-blue-fellowship/

5. AlixPartners Turnaround and Restructuring Internship
A 10-week New York internship providing experience in bankruptcy case management, liquidity analysis, business planning, restructuring, and financial advisory work.
Eligibility: Undergraduates studying business, finance, accounting, economics, or a related subject
Program dates: June 7–August 13, 2027
Information: https://www.alixpartners.com/careers/students-and-recent-graduates/internships/

6. Paid MLH Software Engineering Fellowship
A fully remote, 12-week internship alternative where emerging developers contribute to real software projects while receiving mentorship and career training.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and other aspiring software engineers; regional availability applies
Funding: Educational stipend; the amount depends on the program and participant’s location
Program dates: September 14–December 2026
Information: https://fellowship.mlh.com/
Apply: https://www.tfaforms.com/4956119

7. $20/Hour Student Press Freedom Internship
A fully remote fall internship involving advocacy, communications, journalism, legal research, and student press-freedom campaigns.
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students and recent graduates
Pay: $20 per hour for approximately 20 hours per week
Program dates: Flexible dates during Fall 2026
Important: Application review begins August 31; this is not listed as a firm closing deadline, so students should apply before that date.
Information: https://splc.org/2026/08/rosalind-g-stark-student-press-freedom-internship-fall-2026/

🌸 Funded Bulletin Editorial Fellowship
Fellows write about biosecurity, AI or disruptive technology and receive $750 per published article for up to four articles, plus limited approved travel expenses.
Student level: Not specifically a student program; undergraduates and graduate students may apply if they have significant writing experience and published work
Location eligibility: No geographic or citizenship restriction is stated
Deadline: August 28, 2026
Information: https://thebulletin.org/2026/08/apply-to-be-a-2026-bulletin-editorial-fellow/

🌸 Fully Funded International Youth Internship Program
The program covers airfare, transportation, visas and training for a four-month international placement. Interns also receive a stipend while abroad.
Student level: High school graduates, undergraduates, graduates and nonstudents ages 18–30; no degree is required
Location eligibility: Canadian citizens and permanent residents only; not for U.S.-only students
Program dates: February 1–June 2, 2027
Deadline: August 30, 2026
Information: https://www.acic-caci.org/internships

🌸 $10,000 BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship
Fellows receive $10,000, mentorship, paid travel to two San Francisco gatherings, and funded attendance at two film festivals or industry conferences.
Student level: Early-career filmmakers and graduates; current full-time students are not eligible
Location eligibility: Applicants must primarily reside in the United States, but U.S. citizenship is not required
Deadline: August 30, 2026
Information: https://bavc.org/programs/mediamaker/

🌸 $6,000 Refugee Leadership Fellowship
A remote seven-month fellowship focused on refugee-rights advocacy, professional development and an individual project. Fellows receive $6,000 plus $500 for professional development.
Student level: Undergraduates, graduate students, graduates and nonstudents may apply; no specific degree is required
Location eligibility: Applicants must currently live in the United States and be authorized to work in the United States; U.S. citizenship is not required
Deadline: August 30, 2026
Information: https://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/en/refugee-leadership-program

🌸 $500 National Geographic and Nature Conservancy Externship
A fully remote conservation program covering research, mapping, data visualization and science communication. Participants receive $500 after completing the program.
Student level: High school graduates, undergraduates, graduate students and nonstudents ages 18–25
Location eligibility: Open worldwide, including U.S. and international applicants
Program dates: September 14–November 2026
Deadline: August 30, 2026
Information: https://www.extern.com/national-geographic-society-the-nature-conservancy-externships/community-conservation-data-visualization-and-mapping-externship

🌸 Up to $2,500 True Blue Fellowship
A remote fellowship funding creative youth projects focused on oceans, waterways, climate change and environmental justice.
Student level: High school students, undergraduates, graduate students and nonstudents ages 16–24
Location eligibility: Open worldwide, including U.S. and international applicants
Funding: Up to $2,500, plus mentorship and training
Deadline: August 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Information: https://bowseat.org/programs/true-blue-fellowship/

🌸 Fully Funded Fly-In — ElonYOU
An overnight campus experience where participants attend an academic session, meet current students and explore Elon University. Transportation, campus housing, meals and program activities are covered for selected participants.
Student level: Current 12th-grade students graduating in 2027
Location eligibility: Primarily for U.S. high school seniors; priority is given to students outside North Carolina who have not visited Elon. International eligibility is not clearly stated
Program dates: October 23–24, 2026
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Information: https://www.elon.edu/u/admissions/undergraduate/admissions-events/elonyou/

🌸 Funded Remote MLH Fellowship
A 12-week remote internship alternative where participants work on software-engineering projects and receive mentorship and an educational stipend.
Student level: Primarily undergraduates and other emerging software engineers; high school students may be considered if they meet the program’s age, technical and availability requirements
Location eligibility: International, but available countries and stipend amounts depend on the program track and cohort
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Information: https://fellowship.mlh.com/