
Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program

About the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP)
The Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP) provides full-time students the opportunity to learn valuable professional skills while supporting student resources. Interns work within programs and departments throughout the university and attend a two-unit leadership seminar during the academic school year. With direct support from mentors, they will develop leadership skills and participate in professional development opportunities.
Interns commit to a 300-hour internship (averaging 10 hours per week) and earn up to a $5,500 scholarship for the academic year (dependent upon room in your financial aid package). If you have questions about your financial aid package, please contact UCSC Financial Aid directly.

CUIP application timeline
Schedule for 2025 – 2026 CUIP Application Process
- January 2025: CUIP positions posted on Handshake
- January 2025: Informational Session hosted
- January 6 – February 7, 2025: Student applications accepted
- February – March 2025: Host sites conduct interviews
- Applicant names will be confirmed for good academic and conduct standing (placements will not be confirmed until standing is complete)
- March 14, 2025: Rankings are due for Students and Hosts (ranking forms will be emailed directly)
- Early April 2025: Decisions and offers made (CUIP places students in internships based on rankings. Host sites do not directly hire students)
- May 2025: CUIP Orientation
- Fall 2025: Internships begin
CUIP application process
CUIP positions for the 2025-26 school year are now closed. Recruitment for the 2026-27 school year will open in January 2026.
**Please start early and give yourself plenty of time to apply.**
Please note that you should have all your materials ready before starting the application.
The application consists of:
- Cover letter (one for each position)
- Resume
- The option to upload supplemental materials, where appropriate
- The CUIP general application (only completed once)
For assistance with writing the cover letter and resume, take advantage of Career Success resources:
- Any additional help or questions, please email cuip@ucsc.edu
- Visit our drop-in hours to meet with a peer coach
- Review the online examples of cover letters and resumes
Learn more or get support
Whether you’re a current CUIP intern or a student interested in the program, we’re here to help.
Contact us: cuip@ucsc.edu
Schedule an appointment: Log in to Handshake to book a one-on-one meeting.
Office Hours: Need support, have questions, or want to learn more? Join us during office hours.
What students say about the program
“Through my CUIP internship, I feel more equipped in my skills to excel in the work field after I graduate.”
“The CUIP program allows me to experience college without the pressure of taking out loans for one year. I’ve been able to develop my professional skills, work on my own time, and feel proud of my contribution to my organization.”
“The Internship has helped me see the school administrator’s in a new and humanized light. As a student involved on campus, I often hear what students are upset about with the administration. They believe that they don’t care about our interests but by meeting them I was able to see their side of the story. I really liked hearing about what they do on campus and be able to ask questions, that we have longed to ask. Not only that, but this opportunity has granted me a great mentor who I feel is supportive and invested in my growth. I have learned various new information, including the importance of communication, and can confidently say that this experience has allowed me to grow. It has also been great to be in a class with passionate people and talk with them about their experiences.”
“I really feel prepared to join the workforce now that I’ve received constructive criticism and direction from my mentor, as well as had that chance to implement those suggestions and improve myself. I like having the freedom to choose my own project within my department, but also have the resources to put that project into action and the connections to do so efficiently. The scholarship earned for being a CUIP, along with other Fellowships and Scholarships, has allowed me to have no loans for my final year at UCSC. This alleviated a lot of financial pressure, giving me the head space to fully invest in my position, my personal project, and my professional development.” appointment via Handshake.

Support CUIP
Do you support the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program’s mission of empowering undergraduate student transition from study to satisfying employment by encouraging career exploration, skills development, and personal growth through high-impact campus collaborations?
Donate to the program to ensure we can continue to expand meaningful experiential opportunities to Banana Slugs!
