Grants for Students
Financial assistance to help you through the career exploration process
Gain career development knowledge and experience new cities through a need-based grant and stipend for undergraduate students. Your career exploration and job search process just became a lot easier… and more affordable.
Professional Development Grant
Taking the next big step in your career—whether that’s shopping for interview attire, stocking up on professional stationery, or prepping for grad school exams—is an exciting milestone. We’re here to support you every step of the way. The OPCD Professional Development Grant offers up to $400 to help cover your essential career expenses so you can focus on reaching your goals with confidence.
Learn more about the Professional Development Grant (Up to $400):
To be eligible to apply for the Professional Development Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a current undergraduate student.
- You must have demonstrated financial need. You must receive need-based financial aid to attend Wake Forest University.
Please note: To support as many students as possible throughout their academic journey, eligible undergraduate students may receive the Professional Development Grant up to 2 times during their 4 years at Wake Forest.
Important Note Before Applying: Because of limited funds, we are not able to meet all requests and cannot consider applications from students who do not meet the financial aid criteria. If you do not receive need-based financial aid to attend Wake Forest, you are not eligible to receive these funds. We strongly encourage you to verify your financial aid status with the Financial Aid office before submitting an application.
What the Grant Covers (Eligible Expenses)
- Professional wardrobe and interview attire: We highly recommend purchasing entire outfits that are mix-and-match or building a capsule wardrobe.
- Business accessories: Items such as business cards and professional stationery.
- Graduate and professional school preparation: Study materials such as MCAT or LSAT test prep.
What the Grant Will Not Cover (Ineligible Expenses)
Graduation Attire: While we can’t wait to celebrate your graduation, grant funds cannot be used for caps, gowns, or commencement regalia.
Padfolios: Good news! There’s no need to spend your grant funds on a padfolio! Every grant recipient gets a complimentary padfolio on us. Stop by the OPCD (Reynolda Hall, Suite 230) from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM to pick yours up. (To enable us to share the love with as many Deacs as possible, padfolios are limited to one per student across all OPCD grants and events).
Who is eligible to apply for funding? To be eligible to apply for the Professional Development Grant, you must be a current undergraduate student, and you must receive need-based financial aid to attend Wake Forest University.
How much funding can I receive? Eligible students may receive a Professional Development Grant of up to $400. To support as many students as possible throughout their academic journey, undergraduate students may receive the Professional Development Grant up to two times during their four years at Wake Forest University.
Am I guaranteed funding if I apply? No. Unfortunately, because funds are limited, we cannot meet all requests. Eligible students receive need-based financial aid to attend Wake Forest University.
How and when will I receive my Professional Development Grant payment? We make disbursements via direct deposit (or a paper check mailed to your permanent address if you do not have direct deposit set up). Once your paperwork has cleared the approval process (which can take at least a week), Accounts Payable has ten business days to process your payment.
What can I use the Professional Development Grant for? You can use the Professional Development Grant for professional development attire (building a mix-and-match wardrobe is a great way to stretch your dollars!). You can also use it for other professional development purchases, such as MCAT or LSAT test prep. Please note that you must spend the entire award and provide copies of your receipts via an online form within 2 weeks of your purchase. Failure to comply with this stipulation may affect future grants from our department.
Can I buy a padfolio with these funds? Save your grant money for other needs! We provide a free padfolio to all award recipients, which you can pick up at the OPCD (Reynolda Hall, Suite 230) from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
(Please Note: Padfolios are limited to one per student across all OPCD grants and events to help ensure as many students as possible receive a padfolio.)
If your application is approved, we’re thrilled to support your journey! To help us keep the grant program running smoothly, please upload copies of your purchase receipts through our online form within 2 weeks of making your purchases. Staying on top of your receipts ensures you remain in good standing for future grant opportunities with our office.
Next Steps for Grant Recipients:
Once awarded, here is a quick checklist of what to do next:
- Spend Your Full Award: Please plan to use the entire amount awarded toward your approved career expenses.
- Submit Your Receipts: For tax and donor stewardship purposes, please upload copies of all purchase receipts using our online form. (Note: If you’re purchasing graduate test prep materials, like MCAT or LSAT prep, that cost more than $400, go ahead and upload the total receipt anyway!)
- Pick Up Your Free Padfolio: Drop by the OPCD in Reynolda Hall, Suite 230 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM) to claim your complimentary padfolio! (Limit one padfolio per recipient).
If you have any questions regarding your application or the requirements of these funds, please reach out to the Career Readiness Fund Committee at .
To help you get your funding as quickly as possible, our committee reviews Professional Development Grant applications on a weekly, rolling basis throughout the academic year.
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Fall/Spring Semester | Applications Open | Applications Close | Review Schedule | Expected Payment |
| Fall 2026 | 8/24/2026 (First Day of Class) | 12/7/2026 (Last Day of Class) | Rolling Basis | 1-3 Weeks After Submission |
| Spring 2027 | 1/11/2027 (First Day of Class) | 4/26/27 (Last Day of Class) | Rolling Basis | 1-3 Weeks After Submission |
What Happens After You Apply
Step 1: Application Confirmation
You’ll get an automated email right away confirming we’ve received your application.
Step 2: Quick Campus Review
Behind the scenes, your application moves through Workday for approval by Financial Aid, the OPCD, and Finance (typically takes about a week).
Step 3: Funds Deposited
Once approved, Accounts Payable will process your payment and transfer the funds directly to your linked bank account within 10 business days.
The Career Readiness Fund Committee reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to modify or suspend disbursement of grants, or alter award amounts, eligibility criteria, and deadlines at any time. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. All grants are subject to fund availability, committee verification of student enrollment and academic standing, and final approval. The Committee reserves the right not to approve an application.
Experiential Learning applications are currently closed and will reopen mid-fall. Stay tuned!
Experiential Learning Stipend
Looking to research the career field of your dreams… but can’t seem to find the funds? Take advantage of unpaid summer internships and research projects through the experiential learning stipend. Students can request up to $4,000 in their application!
All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible for the experiential learning (internship) stipend. Students are not eligible to apply if they are receiving funding from another source.