Senior Interview Grant
The CLS Senior Interview Grant helps Grinnell students participate in interviews for post-graduation opportunities by offsetting costs associated with travel and other interview-related expenses. These grants are intended to support students as they pursue employment, graduate or professional school admission, post-graduate service programs, and other career-launching opportunities.
Students are strongly encouraged to review CLS interview prep resources and schedule an interview prep appointment with a CLS adviser before their interview experience.
WHAT does the Senior Interview Grant fund?
Senior Interview Grants may be used for:
- Interviews for full-time employment opportunities.
- Graduate and professional school admission interviews.
- Interviews for post-graduate service programs.
- Interviews connected to other post-graduation opportunities, including post-graduate internships.
Applicants must be interviewing for a specific post-graduation opportunity.
This grant may not be used for:
- General networking visits.
- Expenses related to interviews that have already occurred. Grants cannot be awarded retroactively.
WHO is eligible for funding?
Eligible class years:
- Seniors graduating within the next 12 months. Interview activities must take place before the applicant’s graduation from Grinnell College.
All CLS grant recipients must be in good conduct standing and have completed their CLS Greenlight appointment.
HOW MUCH funding is available?
Funding awards are based on a student’s level of financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid:
- High/very high need: up to $7oo total during a student’s time at Grinnell
- Moderate need: up to $525 total
- Low need: up to $350 total
- No need: up to $175 total
Eligible students can receive funding for more than one request during their time at Grinnell, provided each application supports a different eligible expense. Approved awards are distributed as a lump-sum deposit to the student’s bank account on file with the College. Note that Senior Interview Grants are considered taxable income and additional tax-related adjustments may apply for non-resident taxpayers.
WHEN should I apply?
Senior Interview Grant applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, subject to funding availability.
Plan ahead! Applications must be submitted before expenses are incurred and incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications involving air travel should be submitted at least three weeks before departure. Requests submitted fewer than 15 business days before an event may not allow sufficient time for review and processing. If you will miss class because of a funded interview, you are responsible for communicating with your faculty members in advance.
Graduating seniors must complete all requirements prior to commencement. For processing purposes, November 20, 2026 is the last day applications will be considered from seniors graduating in December and the experience must be completed by 5 p.m. on November 30, 2026. April 16, 2027, is the last day applications will be considered from seniors graduating in May 2027 and the funded experience must be completed by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2027.
Students seeking funding for interviews outside the United States should contact CLS before submitting an application. When reviewing international travel requests, the CLS may consider visa and travel requirements as well as timing and logistical feasibility. International applications submitted fewer than six weeks before departure may not be approved. Students traveling internationally are encouraged to review Institute for Global Engagement travel resources before making final plans.
Need transportation assistance? Students traveling through approved CLS funding may be eligible for transportation support.
WHAT is required after receiving funding?
Grant recipients must maintain a detailed, itemized expense record, submit original receipts for all funded expenses, and complete a brief reflection describing how the grant supported their professional goals. Failure to complete all required documentation by the stated deadline may result in a charge to the student’s account for the full award amount and a 12-month hold on future CLS funding eligibility.
