In a significant move to tackle the high costs of professional experience, universities in the United States are increasingly leveraging state government funding to create paid summer internship opportunities for their students. This trend is gaining strong momentum in South Carolina, where public institutions are expanding successful programmes that pay students directly, thereby strengthening the pipeline of skilled graduates for local industries.
New Proposals from Coastal and Lander Universities
Following the large-scale success seen at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina (USC), two more public colleges in the state are now seeking budgetary support from legislators to fund similar initiatives. These programmes are specifically targeted at high-demand sectors within South Carolina.
Coastal Carolina University has formally requested state lawmakers to allocate $390,000 annually to launch its new Teal Works Program. This initiative, planned for the Horry County institution, aims to provide direct financial stipends to students undertaking summer internships. University documents state that Teal Works is designed to remove economic hurdles and equip participants with critical skills for career success.
The proposed model outlines $3,000 stipends for 75 students covering ten to twelve-week summer placements. An additional incentive of $1,000 is proposed for those who choose to work in rural or underserved regions of South Carolina, encouraging a wider geographic impact.
Meanwhile, Lander University in Greenwood is seeking $500,000 to integrate financial stipends into its established Experience Your Education Program. This long-running scheme has historically offered academic credit and a Golden EYE Award for completing 120 credit hours, but lacked direct monetary support for internships.
Graham Duncan, a spokesman for Lander University, highlighted the critical need for this funding. He explained that without financial assistance, many students find it impossible to accept internships due to prohibitive costs like travel and meals, which place valuable opportunities out of their reach.
Building on Established Programmes: The Clemson and USC Impact
The push for new funding is inspired by the transformative results seen at South Carolina's larger public universities. At Clemson University, the introduction of state funding dramatically changed the internship landscape. Participation soared from approximately 30 students each summer to over 400.
Neil Burton, an executive director at Clemson, pointed out that upfront costs for living and relocation often act as a prohibitive barrier for students, a challenge the stipends directly address.
The University of South Carolina system has witnessed even broader reach. To date, more than 1,750 students across the USC system have received $3,000 stipends, representing a total investment of over $5.2 million. Recognising the value of these programmes, state legislators have now approved recurring, tax-funded allocations of $2 million for USC and $4 million for Clemson to ensure their continuity.
Sustaining and Growing the Model for the Future
With the proven success of these stipend programmes, universities are now planning for expansion and long-term sustainability. USC has requested an extra $2.5 million per year to restore its funding to previous, higher levels.
Coastal Carolina University, with its new Teal Works Program, has an ambitious growth plan. The institution aims to expand participation to 250 students by the fifth year of the programme. This expansion will be supported by a mix of state funds, federal grants, and private sources, creating a robust financial model for the wider state.
This strategic shift towards state-funded internship stipends represents a powerful collaboration between higher education and government. It directly addresses student debt concerns and financial insecurity while ensuring that local industries in South Carolina gain access to a steady stream of trained, job-ready talent. The model serves as a potential blueprint for other states looking to bolster their workforce and support the next generation of professionals.
