Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?
The program is open to all in-coming juniors, seniors or graduate students at Western Michigan University or Kalamazoo College and students going into at least their second year at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. All eligible candidates must be full-time students in good standing with their schools.

If I am chosen as a Monroe-Brown Intern for 2007, will I be able to participate in 2008?
YES! Students are allowed to participate in the program if they meet the following requirements.

1. The student must be hired as an intern at a company that decides to reapply for another year of inclusion in the Monroe-Brown internship program. That company must then be selected for participation.
2. The employing company must then choose to keep the student on as an intern for that year.
3. The student must remain in good standing as a full-time student at his or her school. He or she must also still fall under the eligibility requirements of the program, which are as follows: All in-coming juniors, seniors or graduate students at Western Michigan University or Kalamazoo College and students going into at least their second year at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

If a student meets all of these requirements, then, yes, he or she may continue on in the program. Students who meet these requirements are also allowed to continue the program if they transfer and/or graduate and begin graduate school as long as they remain a full-time student in good standing at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College or Kalamazoo College.

How are the interns selected?
Each participating company chooses their interns using their own hiring methods and criteria. Interested students should contact the companies directly and ask them how to apply for a Monroe-Brown Internship.

How much money is awarded in the Monroe-Brown Internship Program?
Students receive at least minimum wage from the company for working 400 hours during the summer. They are then given a $1,000 bonus ($500 from company, $500 from Monroe-Brown) upon completion of the internship and two payments of $2,500 – one payment at the end of the two semesters following the internship. The payments will be made to the school in the student's name. Altogether, interns selected to participate in the program will receive $6,000 plus the hourly wage paid by the employer, totaling at least $8,000.

Why is $5,500 of the $6,000 scholarship paid directly to the school and not to the intern?
The $6,000 scholarship is broken up into four payments. Upon successful completion of the internship, the employer pays the student $500. The Monroe-Brown Foundation then provides another $500 that must be paid directly to the school in the student's name. Then, two $2,500 payments will be also be made to the school in the student's name at the completion of the student's first and second semesters following the internship.

This money is paid directly to the school so that it can be classified as nontaxable income for the student. Additionally, because the Monroe-Brown Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization, it cannot provide any funding directly to the student.

What if my schooling is already paid for? Will I still receive the $6,000 scholarship?
YES! Each payment of the scholarship from the Monroe-Brown Foundation must go through the school, regardless of whether the student owes money on his or her tuition or if the account is paid in full. In the case that there is no remaining balance to be paid on a student's account, the school should issue a check for the surplus directly to the student.

In addition to the money awarded by this program, what benefit do students receive?
Students chosen to participate in the Monroe-Brown Internship Program will build valuable relationships within the Kalamazoo Region's business community, not only at their workplaces, but also at program events and activities exclusively for this group of students.

Additionally, Monroe-Brown internships incorporate hands-on learning of the skills and experience necessary for success in life science and advanced manufacturing careers.

What employers are participating in the Monroe-Brown Internship Program?
Please check the Talent Network website for more information: www.swmtalentnetwork.com.