Augie Choice application and FAQs
Questions related to using Augie Choice for current or future applications for internships, research or study away programs should be directed to Ginny Schuette, Augie Choice coordinator.
All internships must be registered through CORE. Internship registration appointments may be scheduled through Handshake.
Q: Where do I find the Augie Choice application?
A: If you are applying for Augie Choice for a domestic internship or a research/creative scholarship, use the application here.
If you are applying for Augie Choice for an experience abroad, (i.e. J-term program, semester abroad, international internship), you will need to be accepted to that program before applying for Augie Choice. Once accepted, complete the Augie Choice application here.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to apply for Augie Choice?
A: Any currently enrolled Augustana student who has a minimum of 29 completed Augustana credits, by the time the approved experience begins, is eligible to apply for Augie Choice.
Transfer students are eligible after completing a minimum of 15 Augustana credits.
For questions about Augie Choice eligibility for non-Augustana-endorsed programs, please contact the Augie Choice coordinator.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: International study abroad/away experience: Applications should be submitted as soon as you’re approved for a program.
Registered internships: Applications should be submitted once the internship has been registered through CORE.
Research/creative scholarships: Applications should be submitted once the research/creative scholarship project has been planned.
* Augie Choice applications submitted after the learning experience is completed will not be accepted.
Q: How do I get approved for Augie Choice?
A: To receive funds, a student must be in good academic standing with the Office of Financial Aid, Dean of Students and the Business Office. Students who have an outstanding balance on their student accounts will not have approved funds disbursed until their balance is paid. If the balance is not paid after four months post-graduation or departure from the college, the approved Augie Choice funds will be forfeited.
Q: When will I receive my funds?
A: The approval process could take up to 30 days. Approved funds will be disbursed approximately 30 days before the experience is scheduled to begin when the application is completed in a timely manner.
Q: Can I use Augie Choice more than once?
A: No. Augie Choice can only be used once. It cannot be split into more than one experience.
Q: What do I need to do in order to use Augie Choice for an internship?
A: All Augie Choice-funded internships must be registered for zero or more credits before applying for Augie Choice. Internships for one or more credits are supervised by a faculty member or the Assistant Director of Internships. Zero-credit internships typically are not supervised by a faculty member but instead are supervised by the Assistant Director of Internships.
The Assistant Director of Internships will assist students in registering for ALL internship credits in a required appointment. Appointments with the Assistant Director of Internships can be made through Handshake.
According to federal guidelines for Curricular Practical Training, international students must register for at least .25 credits to be eligible for an internship and to be eligible to receive Augie Choice funding.
If a student fails to complete the Augie Choice approved experience, is terminated by their employer, and/or does not pass the internship course, their approved funding must be returned to Augustana College or the full amount may be added to the student’s account in the Business Office.
Q: How do I use Augie Choice for research or other creative scholarship?
A: All Augie Choice-funded research projects must be supervised by an Augustana faculty member. Off-campus research or other creative scholarship opportunities will need approval by an Augustana faculty member. Augie Choice can be used for stipends, travel, materials or other expenses directly related to completing the project.
Q: What is included in “research”?
A: We refer to "research and creative scholarship" to reinforce that "research" refers to the expected scholarship found in any field of study. The linking connection is that the activity provides an original contribution to the field in a way that can be shared with others. Here are some examples.
Q: How do I use Augie Choice for study abroad?
A: With only a few specific exceptions, Augie Choice can only be used for international (not domestic) study away programs. Programs eligible for Augie Choice will be clearly indicated as such in the program information provided on the Augustana Study Abroad website.
Q:Where do I find Student Learning Outcomes for my application?
A: Here: Learning Outcomes
Q: What should I include in the budget?
A: The budget proposal is an estimate of expenses that students plan to incur through their Augie Choice experience. The budget is designed to calculate amounts for you once you submit the information. Miscellaneous expenses should be explained where indicated.
Approved expenses include:
Travel. Travel expenses include mileage to and from your home to your experience site (using the Augustana approved mileage reimbursement rate). Bus passes, train tickets, plane tickets, parking fees, and taxi/Uber fees can be used also. Gas or vehicle maintenance is not an approved expense.
Food. Refers to meals/food purchased during the hours of the experience (lunches). The standard rate is $15 a day.
Housing. Students are eligible for rent/utility expenses when the primary need for housing is the Augie Choice eligible experience. This cannot cover housing expenses during the academic school year.
Stipend. Augie Choice can be used for stipends for time spent conducting research/creative scholarship or unpaid internships calculated on estimated hours worked.
→ On-campus experiences use the Augustana rate of $10 per hour, effective Nov. 1, 2023.
→ Off-campus experiences use a $14-an-hour minimum unless the minimum wage is higher in the location where the experience is located.
Other costs. This includes professional attire, non-research supplies, or other miscellaneous items needed to complete your experience.
The monetary cap on professional attire is $250.
Sample budget for a 14-week internship:
- Travel: $406 — 10 miles per day for five days a week for 14 weeks at $.58 per mile
- Food: $1,050 — $15 per lunch for five days a week for 14 weeks
- Housing: $900 — $300 per month for three months for a summer internship
- Stipend: $3,920 — $14/hour for 20 hours a week for 14 weeks
- General/misc.: $250 — For professional attire
- Total: $6,526 (In this case, the student would receive the maximum $2,000 Augie Choice grant.)
Any supplies or equipment purchased over $50 become the property of Augustana College.
Receipts for purchases over $50 are required.
Q: What is not an approved expense in the budget?
A: Non-approved expenses include tuition or expenses related to course fees, laptops, graduate school applications or job interview expenses. Other restrictions may apply.
Q: Will Augie Choice help pay for expenses for student teaching?
A: Yes, you will apply for Augie Choice in the internship category. You may include the full $2,000 towards a "stipend" in your budget on the Augie Choice application.
Q: Can I use Augie Choice to pay for tuition?
A: No. Augie Choice funds are meant to help cover the expenses related to doing an experience over and above your regular college experience.
Q: Do I need to do anything after receiving Augie Choice?
A: Yes. Once your Augie Choice experience is completed, you are required to submit a post-experience reflection of your experience. This is due within 30 days of the completion of your experience and should be emailed to the Augie Choice Coordinator. An email will be sent to you as a reminder.
Q: I'm a senior. How long am I eligible for Augie Choice?
A: Augie Choice funds must be used before graduation. Students who have graduated are not eligible for Augie Choice. If you are graduating in May, you will need to complete the Augie Choice experience by June 30. This applies to study abroad programs connected with a spring class. If the experience requires completion of credits, you can still participate in Commencement but will need to delay degree completion until summer. Students registered for courses beyond a fourth year remain eligible through a fifth year at Augustana as long as they are registered and the degree is not yet completed. Students who have graduated are not eligible for Augie Choice.
Q: Can I use Augie Choice is I'm graduating this December and participating in J-term travel?
A: If you are graduating and participating in a J-term travel connected with a fall or spring term class, your travel must be completed within 30 days of graduation.
Q: I forgot to use my Augie Choice. Can I still get it?
A: Students must participate in an approved experience to be eligible to receive Augie Choice funding. If you have further questions about your eligibility or approved experiences, please contact the Augie Choice Coordinator.
Q: Are Augie Choice funds taxable?
A: Augie Choice funds may have tax consequences. Students are advised to seek tax advice on this matter. In addition, Augie Choice funds may affect eligibility for Federal Work Study and/or Federal Student and/or parent loans. Again, students are advised to seek advice on this matter.