New scholarships are reducing the financial stress for some Iowa State University students with unpaid internships and allowing them to focus on learning this summer.

"I am gaining experience with people who have a strong passion for service," said Katie Davis, a senior in child, adult, and family services who is interning at the Volunteer Center of Story County. "However, I still have bills that need to be paid. I can honestly say that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders when I found out I had been chosen to receive this scholarship."

Students graduating in human sciences play critical roles in the community--from teachers to school administrators and social services providers. But many of them lack compensation as they train to work in these positions.

The College of Human Sciences recently awarded scholarships of up to $2,000 each to 21 students in unpaid internships. Sixty scholarships are expected to be awarded to students over the course of the next year--including those who are student teaching.

An anonymous gift enabled Pamela White, dean of the College of Human Sciences, to be named the college's inaugural Dean's Chair. She used some of the funds to create the new scholarships. Applications are now being accepted from students who will be interning or student teaching in the fall.