About the National Council on Aging

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Resources

For Professionals

• Older Americans Month Encourages Seniors to Play
• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• The Wealth of Generations - Past Event
• Making the Most of NCOA's Crossroads

For Older Adults and Caregivers

For Advocates

• Older Americans Month 2012

Graduate Student Fellowship Program

Are you a talented graduate or professional student with a demonstrated interest and prior experience working on behalf of older adults?

Our Fellowship Program offers broad exposure to cutting-edge, transformational work in the field of aging with leading experts in the field.

Selection Criteria

This opportunity is for you if: 

• You are a graduate or professional student with a passion for working on behalf of older adults. (Unfortunately, our program is not available for undergraduates.)
• You have prior experience working with or on behalf of older adults and have some familiarity with health and/or benefits policy.
• You are currently enrolled in a post-college degree program in the areas of public policy, economics, public health, law, business, or other fields relevant to the work of NCOA.
• You have strong communication and analytical skills, as evidenced by your writing sample, cover letter, and resume.

Program Overview

Our program provides you with real-world experience in improving the lives of vulnerable older adults, particularly in the areas of economic security and healthy aging. All Student Fellows receive a stipend.

NCOA offers:

• Summer Program: 10 weeks full-time (May 21-July 20, 2012)
• Fall and Spring Program: 10-12 weeks part-time

You may work in one or more of the following areas* within NCOA:

• Benefits Access, including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and more
• Evidence-Based Health Programs
• Public Policy & Advocacy

* Assignments are based on qualifications, but preferences of accepted Fellows will be accommodated as much as possible.

What to Expect

Through our program, you will have the opportunity to:

• Help shape new ideas, collaborate, innovate, and advocate for seniors.
• Attend hearings and policy briefings on Capitol Hill.
• Learn from peers and leading experts in Washington, DC.

Day One

You’ll participate in a first day on-boarding process that includes an introduction to your NCOA team, meetings with your supervisors and other NCOA leaders, and your first assignment. 

On the Job

You’ll be assigned to meaningful projects from the start. Every week, you’ll attend meetings with your direct supervisor, your team, or other NCOA leaders to learn how your assignments connect to the global NCOA transformational mission.

Depending on your assignments, you may attend policy briefings, hearings on Capitol Hill, and programs designed specifically for students at our partner organizations. You’ll also have opportunities to attend briefings on data in policy and program development and lunch with our CEO to learn about a disciplined focus on transformational change in aging.

Sample Assignments

Our 2011 Summer Associate Interns worked on projects such as:

• Analyzing opportunities in health reform for dissemination of chronic disease self-management programs.
• Preparing fact sheets on the rights of elders in debt collection and foreclosure mitigation for staff and volunteers of senior economic security centers.
• Assessing state compliance with statutes mandating easier access to Medicare Savings Programs and Medicare Part D Extra Help Low Income Subsidies.
• Preparing written analysis and summaries of home and community-based long-term care options in health reform.
• Researching opportunities for data-sharing to increase benefits access while protecting privacy rights. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I intern locally?

No, our program is exclusively housed in our Washington, DC headquarters.

Do you provide room and board?

No, but selected Fellows will be given information on how to obtain summer housing.

How much is the stipend?

TBD, but last year it was $3,000.

I’m an undergrad. Do I qualify?

No, not for the Fellowship Program.

I’m graduating this spring. Do I qualify? 

You may apply and your application will be considered; however, the Fellowship Program does not lead to employment at NCOA.

Have more questions? Please email us at fellows@ncoa.org. 

want to live in a country where

older adults don't have to choose between paying for medicine or food.