Guaranteed Paid Internship Program (GPIP) for Freshman Students

Students with their professor an internship work site

UIC offers a unique opportunity to freshman engineering students. Designed and supported by the faculty and the dean of the College of Engineering, the Guaranteed Paid Internship Program (GPIP) gives incoming fall freshman students the opportunity to serve as paid interns during the summer months, providing they meet certain criteria by the end of their first year of study.

 

The GPIP application for the 2024-2025 academic year was open from October – November 2024. All students who were eligible to apply received an email invitation to apply at that time. Only new, degree-seeking transfer and freshman students starting in the College of Engineering the fall were eligible to apply.

GPIP Eligibility Requirements

  • Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or greater for your first AND second semesters at UIC. (Please note: the GPA requirement is no longer being raised to a 3.5, as we previously stated)
  • Complete at least 26 UIC semester hours during your freshman year.
  • Complete Math 180 (Calculus I) and Math 181 (Calculus II) with a B or  higher by the end of freshmen year. Students with AP credit for Calculus I and II must have that documentation on file with the College of Engineering. Note: Pre-calculus does not fulfill this requirement.
  • Complete at least two additional program-specified Engineering courses with a B or higher. Required courses by major.
  • Direct acceptance into the College of Engineering and registration as a full-time student for Fall.
  • Commit to return to the UIC College of Engineering for the academic year or sophomore year
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise obtain permission to work lawfully in the United States. International students on the F-1 visa are eligible.
  • If a student participates in an off-campus internship, which they secured on their own, they will not be placed by GPIP.
  • Complete mandatory questionnaires as well as deadlines that will occur throughout the academic year. This includes responding to emails from GPIP administrators in a timely fashion.
  • The College of Engineering will place students who fulfill the requirements into on-campus research labs or other entities within UIC.
  • Freshmen in GPIP will be paid $16/hour for Summer 2024.
  • GPIP interns may work total of 256 hours during the course of their internship. Students cannot accrue overtime, so, you cannot work more than 8 hours in one day, or more than 40 hours in one week. It is up to the student and professor/supervisor to track the total number of hours worked and not exceed 256 for the summer.

GPIP FAQs

  • Complete at least 26 UIC semester hours during your freshman year.
  • 2 Math courses
    • Complete Math 180 (Calculus I) and Math 181 (Calculus II) with a B or higher by the end of freshman year.
    • Note: Pre-calculus does not fulfill this requirement.
  • 2 program-specified (your major) 100 level Engineering courses with a B or higher. Required courses by major
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or greater for your first AND second semesters at UIC. (Please note: the GPA requirement is no longer being raised to a 3.5, as we previously stated). A cumulative of 3.2 does not qualify you if you earned under a 3.2 in either semester.
  • You need a minimum of a B for Calculus 1 & 2 (MATH 180 and 181).
  • You need a minimum of a B for the required courses in your major. Required courses by major
  • Students who fulfill the program requirements will earn a place in an internship in a UIC research laboratory, or another entity on-campus.
  • If students prefer to do an off-campus internship at a company, they will be required to apply for those internships on their own. Opportunities to apply for off-campus internships will occur through annual career fairs, posted on Handshake, and other events with the Engineering Career Center.
  • Students are also encouraged to apply for internships that they learn about on their own through online searches and networking.
  • Off-campus internships WILL NOT be guaranteed. If a student does secure an off-campus internship, they will not be placed in an internship through GPIP.
  • If you decide to take classes over the summer you will have to arrange your schedule with your internship supervisor. Some supervisors may not be able to grant the flexibility you need to attend summer classes.
  • Due to the condensed nature of the Summer Session calendar, past GPIP participants found that it was difficult to balance summer classes at UIC while participating in GPIP.

GPIP interns may work total of 256 hours during the course of their internship. Students cannot accrue overtime, so, you cannot work more than 8 hours in one day, or more than 40 hours in one week. It is up to the student and professor/supervisor to track the total number of hours worked and not exceed 256 for the summer.

  • Most GPIP internships will start in mid- to late-June.
  • All GPIP internships must end no later than the Friday before Fall semester classes start. Please consult the UIC academic calendar to find out when Fall semester classes start.

Additional Questions?

Email us at gpip@uic.edu. Program staff will reply to you within two business days.