Information for students interested in becoming a Rural Prosperity Nebraska Student Fellow.
We selects student Fellows through a competitive application and interview process. Applicants may be enrolled in any college, study any major, and are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0. Selected students earn $5,000 for the seven-week (280-hour) work experience in a placement community. Pairs of fellows live in their placement community to work on community-defined projects and serve their host communities.
For questions or comments, contact ruralfellows@unl.edu
Student Fellows Application is Now Closed See what former Fellows are doing nowThrough their projects, Student Fellows help communities solve problems, address pressing issues, and build on each town’s unique assets. The immersive experience is a full-time experience—students live in the communities where they serve, work 40 per week for the seven-week internship, and also provide 20 hours of service to the community. In return, students are paid $5,000 for their internship, an average of $17.85 per hour.
To better prepare students for the Rural Fellowship program, all selected Student Fellows receive a three-week training hosted by Dr. Helen Fagan, RPN’s diversity and inclusion researcher and consultant, and her team. The interactive and transformational training focuses on inclusive leadership, team building, and community development.
Additionally, students Fellows receive the following:
- Individualized coaching by qualified coaches throughout the summer
- Guidance and a community visit from RPN staff
- Numerous connections to experts across the NU system
Through this immersive internship, students gain real-world experience in their major fields, and are able to apply the theories they learn in a practical setting.