College Student Internship 

Program FAQs 

 
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 Will I be permitted to work during the school year? 

 

The intent of the College Student Internship Program is to develop students and assess their 

attitude and performance during a summer internship period. We ask students to work 

between a minimum of 10 and maximum of 16 weeks each summer period. Work during the 

academic year is not an official part of the program. 

In specific circumstances, part-time work and winter-break work may be available to 

complete the permanent appointment hours requirement. Students will work until the hours 

are met, and then their temporary appointment with NGA will be completed. 

 

 I will graduate spring 2024. Am I eligible for the College Student Internship Program? 

No, students who graduate in Spring 2024 are not eligible to apply to the College Student 

Internship Program. However, former interns can apply for permanent appointment. This will 

be available starting in October 2024. 

The mandatory requirements for this program are: 

o Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the NGA College 

Student Intern Program while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree-seeking student; 

o Completed a course of academic study by September 2024 at a qualifying 

educational institution conferring a diploma, or degree; 

o Meet the qualification standards for the position into which they will be hired; and 

o Receive a successful intern evaluation by an NGA official. 

Students who graduate October 2024 or later are eligible to apply for the college internship 

program. 

 Does NGA offer internships/scholarships for individuals who have already completed 

their degree program(s)? 

Presently, NGA does not have scholarship or internship opportunities for individuals who are 

not full- or part-time students. Applicants who have already completed their education are 

encouraged to visit the www.intelligencecareers.gov/NGA for a listing of current regular 

permanent positions. 

 Are students who are not enrolled in a degree program but seeking a certificate in a 

field such as Geography or Human Resource Management eligible for the Student 

Internship Program? 

Students who are not enrolled in a degree-seeking program are not eligible for the College 
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Student Internship Program. Students must be enrolled in an Associates, Bachelors, 

Masters, or post-Graduate degree program. 

 I have studied abroad or plan to study abroad in an upcoming semester. Will this 

affect my eligibility for the College Student Internship Program? 

Although studying abroad does not preclude applicants from eligibility for the College Student 

Internship Program, it may result in a lengthier clearance process and delay required preemployment testing. Students must be fully cleared before they are able to begin work.

 

 If I am accepted into the College Student Internship Program for the summer 2024, 

will I have to reapply if I wish to participate in the program the following summer? 

Yes. Because there are many different occupations at NGA, students have the opportunity to 

apply for a wide variety of available experiences each summer should they desire one. 

Students who do not perform successfully and/or fail to meet program requirements will be 

removed from the program. 

 If I am accepted into the College Student Internship Program, can I be hired as a 

permanent employee before I complete my degree program? 

Yes. Student employees are eligible to apply for, and compete with, the general public for 

external opportunities while in the College Student Internship Program. If you are selected 

competitively, please notify Student Programs so you are resigned from the College Student 

Internship Program. 

Students interested in applying for permanent appointment can do so if they meet the 

mandatory requirements.

 If I am selected for participation in the College Student Internship Program what will 

happen next? 

Once selected for the College Student Internship Program, you will be contacted by NGA and 

extended a conditional verbal offer of employment. If you accept, your offer will be finalized, 

and you will receive pre-employment paperwork via email in approximately two weeks. It is 

important to follow all instructions contained in the paperwork, and return it by the date 

indicated. Once your paperwork has been received, your pre-employment processing (to 

include the security clearance process) will begin. 

If a clearance has already been given to you by NGA in previous summers, you should be 

eligible to return. Security may have certain requirements that will need to be reviewed again 

prior to EOD, especially if a reinvestigation needs to occur, usually around 5 years. 
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 How long will it take to complete the security clearance process? 

The clearance process varies from individual to individual. The College Student Internship 

Program conducts its application and selection process early to ensure the majority of 

selectees are cleared in time to start no later than June 2024, however, depending on 

individual circumstances, some selectees' clearances may take longer.

 What if I don't clear in time to start next summer? 

Students who don't clear in time to participate in the summer 2024 internship period will 

need to re-apply for the opportunity for the following summer, depending on their expected 

graduation date. Student employees are only permitted to enter “on duty” during the 

summer.

 Does the College Student Internship Program provide funding for summer housing? 

Individuals selected for the College Student Internship Program receive a salary during work 

periods, but no additional funding or stipend for housing or travel expenses.

 

 Does the College Student Internship Program assist students with locating suitable 

housing for summer internship periods? 

Unfortunately, the College Student Internship Program does not have the resources to 

provide in-depth assistance to students seeking housing for summer internship periods. 

Ultimately, it is students' responsibility to locate and secure housing, if needed. 

 

 Is there a way to carpool/rideshare? 

 

Yes. After you have reported for duty, you will be able to find rideshare information on the 

NGA intranet. 

 

 Are internship opportunities available for new student employees prior to Summer 

2024? 

No. Selectees from the summer 2024 application period will only be for the summer 2024 

internship. 
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 I live or attend school within proximity of an NGA location; may I request placement at 

this site? 

 

Students may indicate their preferred location for placement; however, although this 

information will be taken into consideration, placement decisions will ultimately be made 

based on the needs of the agency. 

 

 I am not available to spend 10 weeks with NGA during the summer. Can I still be 

considered for an internship? 

NGA makes a considerable investment in obtaining security clearances for Student Interns 

and providing on-the-job training/mentoring. It is not required but highly recommended for 

students to work a period of at least 10 weeks each summer to ensure students have 

sufficient on-the-job experience to contribute to NGA’s mission. 

It is also highly recommended that students during their degree-seeking period work 640 

hours as an NGA intern, because it fulfills one of the requirements for permanent 

appointment. 

 

 What type of work will I do? 

NGA’s student interns receive real work experience to prepare them for future employment 

with NGA. College Student Internship Program assignments are based on entry level 

professional job descriptions and will involve a great deal of independent and team-oriented 

work under the guidance of a senior level supervisor and mentor. Job assignments may 

involve research, drafting reports and presentations, and/or working on projects which 

require technical knowledge. 

 What hours will I work? 

 

The typical workday at NGA is 8 1⁄2 hours (1/2 hour of which is uncompensated for lunch). 

Your actual schedule will be determined in discussion with your supervisor when you arrive, 

based on office needs, and considering your job performance. NGA also offers flexible work 

schedules with supervisory approval. 

 

 What is the dress code for the agency? 

In general, the dress code for civilians at the agency is conservative business or business 

casual attire. Students accepted into the program will need business attire for attending 

meetings/making presentations, etc.
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 Will I receive health benefits?

Students employed through NGA’s College Student Internship Program receive a salary and 

accrue annual and sick leave during work periods and they may be eligible for health 

benefits if specific conditions are met. Interns are able to enroll in the Federal Employee 

Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with full government contribution, if – 

• You are an employee on a temporary appointment (appointment limited to one 

year or less); or 

• An employee on a season schedule (working less than six months per year); or 

• An employee on an intermittent schedule; and 

• You are expected to work 130 hours or more per month, for at least 90 days, and 

are not covered under the Part-time Career Act. 

The intern’s direct supervisor will provide them with their work schedule. If that schedule 

meets or exceeds the 130 hours for at least the 90 days requirement, and there is interest in 

an intern acquiring their own health benefits coverage, the intern should work with their 

supervisor to contact the HD Benefits Team (Benefits@nga.mil) for more details and/or 

assistance with the enrollment process. 

Be mindful your appointment ending at the conclusion of each internship period may impact 

these benefits.