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Summer Opportunity Grant Request Guide
Summer Opportunity Grant Request Guide
During the 2025-26 school year, only career-related opportunities during the summer (May - August) can be funded by OppNet.
We are unable to provide funding for academic year (September - April) opportunities due to budget constraints.
This document is intended to clarify the guidelines around applying for and receiving Summer Opportunity Grants. Please read it carefully and in full before asking our team questions.
This document is intended to clarify the guidelines around applying for and receiving Summer Opportunity Grants. Please read it carefully and in full before asking our team questions.
Active college Fellows can submit a request for a Summer Opportunity Grant for summer opportunities that are unpaid or that require payment to participate. OppNet also provides summer opportunity grants to Fellows who successfully complete in-house programs or complete internships with one of our approved nonprofit partners.
Active college Fellows can submit a request for a Summer Opportunity Grant for summer opportunities that are unpaid or that require payment to participate. OppNet also provides summer opportunity grants to Fellows who successfully complete in-house programs or complete internships with one of our approved nonprofit partners.
Summer Opportunity Grants can be disbursed in two ways: (1) in the form of payments made directly to a Fellow via direct deposit or paper checks or (2) the Career Success team can make a payment on a Fellow’s behalf. A Summer Opportunity Grant is an educational award meant to supplement educational expenses and is not a payment for work.
Summer Opportunity Grants can be disbursed in two ways: (1) in the form of payments made directly to a Fellow via direct deposit or paper checks or (2) the Career Success team can make a payment on a Fellow’s behalf. A Summer Opportunity Grant is an educational award meant to supplement educational expenses and is not a payment for work.
Important to Note:
During the 2025-26 school year, only career-related opportunities during the summer (May - August) can be funded by OppNet. Unfortunately we are unable to provide funding for academic year (September - April) opportunities due to budget constraints.
Fellows can receive a maximum of one Summer Opportunity Grant per year.
The maximum grant amount a college Fellow can receive is $3,000.
OppNet does not allocate $3,000 per Fellow but rather has a limited pool of funds for these requests.
If you receive less than $3,000 for your approved Summer Opportunity Grant, you cannot submit another request within the same year to reach the $3,000 threshold.
OppNet is A resource, not THE resource – make sure to look into all other funding sources available to you.
Many colleges and universities offer funding for unpaid opportunities as well. Make sure to check those out!
The funding application is open year-round, and grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Funding Application Close Date: July 1, 2026
The Career Success Team DOES fund:
The Career Success Team DOES fund:
Unpaid summer internships
If you secure an unpaid summer internship (through OppNet or on your own), you can be eligible for an OppNet summer opportunity grant for your participation.
Unpaid or underpaid summer research opportunities
If you secure a summer research opportunity that is unpaid or the stipend provided does not cover all living expenses, you can be eligible for an OppNet summer opportunity grant for your participation.
Cost of a summer enrichment program
Examples include study abroad or career-related, skill-building courses/certifications.
Long-term unpaid summer volunteer opportunities related to your career goals
For example, healthcare shadowing/volunteering opportunities.
The Career Success Team SOMETIMES funds:
The Career Success Team SOMETIMES funds:
Exam prep courses + prep course study materials (e.g. LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, GRE, etc.)
If you need test prep support, we have some resources we can connect you with!
Cost of courses at your college or university during the summer term
The Career Success Team DOES NOT fund:
The Career Success Team DOES NOT fund:
Transportation for a paid opportunity
If you are already getting paid during your opportunity, you cannot apply for Opportunity Grant funding for transportation for the duration of that opportunity. The payment you receive from your opportunity should be used to cover transportation costs.
Housing costs for a paid opportunity
If you have a summer opportunity outside of NYC, we encourage you to ask your employer for relocation assistance.
If you are an OppIgnited intern, the partner firms will provide a relocation stipend.
Emergency funding requests - OppNet does support with this but it’s a separate application!
Emergency Funding is for short-term relief for unexpected expenses (e.g. funds for groceries, rent, wifi, etc.)
Subscriptions to career-related publications
Membership for professional organizations
Application fees for grad school
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I do not have a Social Security Number?
Please email Career Success (careersuccess@opportunitynetwork.org) so the team can make sure your funding can still be processed.
What if I don’t have a bank account?
You can provide the bank information of a parent/guardian for the funds to be sent to them or you can choose to receive a paper check in the mail. We also encourage you to consider opening a bank account! You can learn more about how to open a bank account here.
How soon after I submit the forms can I expect to receive my funding?
Firstly, the Finance Team at OppNet is only composed of only 2 people. It will take them some time to process all of the funding requests that come from all OppNet teams. Please be patient, as they are doing their best!
Secondly, it will take anywhere from 4-14 days after you submit your documents for your funding to arrive in your account (if direct deposit) or mailbox (if paper check).
What is a W-9 and why do I need to fill one out?
W-9 forms are a way for the IRS to estimate what taxes will be owed by independent contractors or freelancers who provide labor or services to a business. Employers who work with independent contractors must provide them with a W-9 form to fill out before starting work if the anticipated compensation will be greater than $600. You will need to fill out a W-9 form if you:
Are classified as an independent contractor or “freelancer.”
Are not a full-time employee of the business.
Will be paid more than $600 for work provided to the business.
Whose information goes on the W-9?
The W-9 form should be filled out with your information, not someone else’s. For more information about W-9s, please see here.
Will this summer opportunity grant have any implications on my taxes? What do I need to know?
If you receive more than $600 from OppNet, you will receive a 1099-MISC form, which is a form used when an entity that is not your employer – in this case, OppNet – gives or pays you money. When it’s time to file taxes, you use the 1099-MISC form to help figure out what kind of income and how much income you received. You’ll report that income in different places on your tax return. It’s important to note that receiving a 1099-MISC tax form doesn’t automatically mean you owe taxes on that money (for example, you might have deductions that offset the income), but you still need to reference the form when you file taxes. Read more about the 1099-MISC form here.
My parents claim me on their taxes: If someone else claims you on their taxes (e.g., parent or guardians) then the compensation that you receive from OppNet should be used to prepare their taxes. If you received less than $600 for the calendar year, then you will receive an email statement that shows your total compensation. This statement is produced by OppNet and is not submitted to the IRS. If you received $600 or more, then you will receive a 1099 at the end of January. The 1099 is official IRS paperwork that is sent to both you as well as the IRS. By law, your parents are required to report the income, regardless of the amount received. Your parents should speak with their tax professional for tax advice.
I do my own taxes: If you received less than $600 for the calendar year, then you will receive an email statement that shows your total compensation. This statement is produced by OppNet and is not submitted to the IRS. If you received $600 or more, then you will receive a 1099 at the end of January. The 1099 is official IRS paperwork that is sent to both you as well as the IRS. By law, you are required to report any income received, regardless of the amount. Please talk to your tax professional for tax advice.
What does "calendar year" mean?
Typically, in organizations, you may hear of two types of years: calendar year or fiscal year. The calendar year always means January through December. The fiscal year is specific to an organization. A fiscal year spans twelve months and corresponds with an organization's financial reporting periods. Fiscal years are an important concern for accounting purposes because they are involved in federal tax filings, budgeting, and financial statements. At OppNet, our fiscal year is September through August. For tax purposes, everything is based on the calendar year and not the fiscal year.
Bill.com Guide
Bill.com Guide
How to Use Bill.com (Fellow).pdfBill.com - W-9 Guide
Bill.com - W-9 Guide
W-9 on Bill.com.pdfIf you still have questions about Opportunity Grants after reviewing this guide, please contact Charlotte Karol at charlotte@opportunitynetwork.org
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