The 2022 SEF Application is now closed 

Skidmore’s Summer Experience Fund (SEF) provides stipends of up $4,000 to support students completing unpaid summer experiences. Recipients are able to gain skills, knowledge, connections, and experience within their chosen field, without the burden of having to support themselves while engaging in unpaid work. Funding is also available for graduating seniors through Skidmore's Post-Graduation Award.

A wide variety of experiences qualify for SEF funding including internships, volunteer opportunities, research assignments, community service projects, artist residencies, apprenticeships, and more. SEF recipients come from all academic disciplines and class years, and pursue opportunities in many different industries and countries.

Begun in 2009 through the generosity of dedicated Skidmore donors - alumni, parents and friends of the College - this fund started with 9 awards, and currently supports more than 100 students every year.

The Summer Experience Fund is part of the Zankel Experience Network (ZEN). ZEN was established in 2020 by Jimmy Zankel ’92 and Pia Scala-Zankel ’92 to encourage the support of like-minded donors who hope to expand Skidmore’s commitment to experiential learning, including the Summer Experience Fund, Faculty Student Summer Research, and a new Mentoring Program.