Policy Intern Application
Title: Policy Intern
Supervisor: Assistant Director of Federal & State Relations
Department: Policy and Federal Relations
Classification: Temporary, Full-time Intern
Internship Timing: mid-to-late May to early August (negotiable, approximately three months)
Location of Job: Remote, with possible opportunities to travel to Washington, D.C. for in-person events.*
Compensation: This is a non-exempt, hourly, paid internship position.
Position Summary
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) was established in 1966 and supports the financial aid profession, advocates for public policies and programs that increase student access to and success in postsecondary education, and serves as a forum for communication and collaboration on student financial aid issues. The Association seeks to hire an intern with skills and interests in public policy to assist the Policy and Federal Relations staff with their duties related to advocacy, policy, and research. The person selected will operate in a fast-paced environment and will manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
The intern will work closely with and support all members of the Policy and Federal Relations staff and will:
- Assist in the development of advocacy materials, including letters to Congress, position statements, and grassroots initiative communications.
- Attend and summarize legislative hearings and events, coalition meetings, internal meetings, and other external events.
- Assist in the planning and organization of a student aid orientation for congressional staff.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform policy, development, and advocacy.
- Interact and engage with NASFAA members at the 2022 NASFAA National Conference in Austin, TX.
- Analyze, interpret, and write about current and pending legislation and/or regulations.
- Write a weekly blog post summarizing the week's activities.
- Complete other tasks as necessary.
Qualifications/Skills & Knowledge Requirements
- We welcome applicants who are undergraduate or master's level students (current or recently graduated) or students who are currently enrolled in law school. Those students studying in fields related to higher education, public policy, political science, and history may benefit most from this internship.
- Desire to pursue a career in higher education or public policy
- Excellent - and proven - research, writing and organizational skills required
- General understanding of federal legislative processes required
- Experience managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Coursework or experience in education policy and related issues of access and equity desired
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, February 11, 2022. This is a paid internship. Bi-weekly pay will occur upon start and until completion of the 12-week period. NASFAA will also provide limited reimbursements for pre-approved expenses associated with execution of job duties, in accordance with the Association's travel policy.
Interested applicants should complete the form below and upload a resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample answering the prompt listed on the form. Questions regarding this internship and/or the application can be directed to [email protected].
* NASFAA is a mobile-first environment, with nearly all staff either working as full-time teleworkers or regularly working from home. As such, we are planning for the 2022 internship to be entirely virtual. As in-person gatherings return, there may be opportunities for the intern to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend in-person events or meetings at the NASFAA office. If this is possible, NASFAA will work with the intern to determine whether and when travel is practicable, and will provide flexibility as needed.
About NASFAA
At NASFAA, we strive to attract and retain a diverse and talented workforce that will contribute to the Association's goals, mission and vision. It is NASFAA's policy not to discriminate against any applicant for employment because he or she is an individual with a disability or has veteran status. NASFAA will provide reasonable accommodations to employees whose ability to perform their job is affected by pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions. NASFAA is an equal opportunity employer.
