WAIP Access and Inclusion

WAIP staff strive to create a program that is diverse, inclusive and accessible for every Ohio State student who wants to make the world a better place through civic engagement.

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Funding

The John Glenn College strives to make WAIP as affordable as possible.

Scholarships are offered to help offset the cost of housing, which can range from $500 to the full cost of housing, which is approximately $4,500. The average WAIP scholarship award is $2,000-2,500. All WAIP fellows are eligible to apply for the scholarship once admitted into the program, regardless of major.

Although paid internships in Washington have been increasing in recent years, they are not always available for all policy interest areas. WAIP staff work individually with each John Glenn Fellow to determine the importance of finding a paid internship opportunity, and work diligently to help find paid opportunities for those that need them in order attend the semester in D.C. While staff cannot guarantee a paid internship, they make every effort to connect students to a paid opportunity when necessary.

Other awards and scholarships at The Ohio State University are available for WAIP fellows. Some of these include the Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) funds, the Career Accelerator Fund, and the Honors and Scholars Enrichment Grants. Students are also able to submit a cost of appeal through Financial Aid for any existing aid to account for the increased cost of living in DC. WAIP staff make these campus-wide opportunities available by organizing and updating them in a resources module on a pre-departure Carmen page.

Identity and Inclusion

WAIP strives to ensure every student that seeks a career in public service at Ohio State has the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, DC through WAIP.

Work experience and experiential education in your chosen field helps you:

  • Prepare for the job market
  • Gain relevant experience to be an effective public servant
  • Explore potential pathways to examine what motivates you
  • Understand what opportunities could be available in the future.

Program activities and curriculum are designed to be diverse and inclusive.

  • Complete modules on DC’s historical, cultural, political and socioeconomic contexts
  • Engage in meaningful discussions with fellow students regarding your identities and desire to become public servants (led by a skilled DE&I facilitator)
  • Complete Implicit Bias Training with the Kirwan Institute to explore implicit bias
  • Meet a wide range of alumni and study-tour hosts who can offer many perspectives and experiences

Mentorship

Each WAIP fellow is paired with a mentor throughout their time in DC to serve as an added layer of support. The mentorship pairing is taken very seriously to ensure that each student is supported by someone that will seek to understand the student’s goals and needs for support while on program.

Roommates

Students are paired with roommate(s) during the DC semester and have the ability to note their preferences, including gender, cleanliness, and health and safety preferences, on a pre-semester survey. WAIP staff make housing assignments with these important considerations and make every effort to honor students’ requests.

Accommodation and Disabilities

The Ohio State University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please inform WAIP staff to privately discuss options. WAIP staff works in collaboration with Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) to enable all students to pursue a WAIP experience.

Students admitted to WAIP can voluntarily disclose any disabilities and request accommodations after admission. Students are encouraged to work with their Access Specialist at SLDS.

DC is an accessible city and abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that all public spaces and public transit are accessible. WAIP staff and faculty will work with accommodations through the Office of Student Life Disability Services.

Discuss WAIP’s efforts to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for students.