Overview & Key Dates
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Fall 2026 Priority Deadline
Deadline: July 14, 2026
The priority deadline for Spring and Summer 2026 has passed, but HNIP will continue to accept and review applications until all positions are filled.
Internship Positions
Dates and Deadlines
| Session | Application Open | Priority Deadline | Session Start | Session End | Number of Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring 2026 |
July 11, 2025 |
January 2, 2026 |
January 5, 2026 |
April 17, 2026 |
15 |
|
Summer 2026 |
October 3, 2025 |
March 6, 2026 |
June 1, 2026 |
August 7, 2026 |
10 |
|
Fall 2026 |
February 2, 2026 |
July 14, 2026 |
August 31, 2026 |
December 11, 2026 |
15 |
|
Spring 2027 |
July 6, 2026 |
November 20, 2026 |
January 4, 2027 |
April 16, 2027 |
15 |
Program Overview
HACU has offered one of the best paid internship programs in the country since 1992, providing 14,000 alumni invaluable professional experience interning within a federal agency.
Benefits
- Federal work experience
- Each internship is a paid internship
- No application fee
- Potential for academic credit
- Professional Development Seminars
- Programmatic and student support from HNIP Staff
Compensation
2026 Rates
- Undergraduate (associate or bachelor’s degree) pay rate:
$18.50/hour
- Graduate (master’s degree, Ph.D, J.D., etc.):
$20.25/hour
Eligibility
- Any race/ethnicity – does NOT need Hispanic heritage
- All MAJORS
- Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program
- Any degree level acceptable – associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s degree, J.D., Ph.D., etc.
- Students pursuing a credential or certificate program are not eligible
- Limited positions available for recent graduates
- Spring graduates are eligible to apply up to the summer session of the same year
- See the Library of Congress Conduit Program highlighted below
- Must have completed first year of undergraduate studies
- Most positions require U.S. citizenship, per security clearance requirements
- Students legally authorized to work in the U.S., DACA students, and permanent residents are still encouraged to apply
- HACU participates in E-Verify
*Interns who meet our standard eligibility criteria and are requested by name by the host agency may be eligible for an extension of their internship. Please note that not all internships offer extension opportunities and interns would need to meet all of HACU’s eligibility requirements for an extension.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: HACU believes that equal opportunity for all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, HACU will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment because of race, disability, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, or non-job-related factors in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements. ADA COMPLIANCE: HACU complies with the American with Disabilities Act, as well as all other federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to individuals with disabilities. HACU provides reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals in accordance with the terms and conditions of the ADA and all other applicable laws
Commitment
- Internship term
- Summer: 10 weeks
- Spring & Fall: 15 weeks
- Possibility to extend your internship for more than one session
- We offer remote, hybrid, and in-person internship opportunities
- Full-time (40 hrs/wk) and Part-time (20hrs/wk) opportunities available
Housing and Relocation
Housing
Interns can be connected with a safe and cost effective housing option while interning in their field office with the help of HNIP!
If interns opt in, HNIP will arrange for students to live with other interns when possible and identify a furnished location that is close to work! Interns will have their total rent for the session equally divided and deducted from their bi-weekly paychecks, so they don’t have to worry about any upfront costs.
For interns placed in field offices outside Washington DC, HACU prioritizes placing interns on college campuses, in order to ensure that the location is affordable, safe, and close to resources. For interns placed in Washington, DC, HACU partners with housing vendors that specialize in intern housing such as Turnkey. An intern must be confirmed for an internship at least one month prior to the session start in order to qualify for HACU housing.
For interns placed in field offices outside Washington DC, HACU prioritizes placing interns on college campuses, in order to ensure that the location is affordable, safe, and close to resources. For interns placed in Washington, DC, HACU partners with housing vendors that specialize in intern housing such as Turnkey. An intern must be confirmed for an internship at least one month prior to the session start in order to qualify for HACU housing.
Relocation
HACU is able to arrange travel to and from internship location sites regardless of whether they choose to pursue housing through HNIP.
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