FDU Career Development-Fall 2025 John Robert & Marye Trinkle Ruzila Award

This is the application for the John R. and Marye Trinkle Ruzila Endowed Experiential Education Award (scholarship). The Ruzila Award is open to all students (undergraduate AND graduate) enrolled full-time at Fairleigh Dickinson University (Florham and Metro Campuses) who plan to participate in an UNPAID experience in nonprofit, government, education, social services, and other historically unpaid industries that can be a challenge in obtaining valuable professional experience and meet the criteria listed below. The award is intended to provide financial support to offset incurred costs associated with the experience (e.g., transportation, wardrobe, materials, or lost wages from missed paid employment). Students may receive up to $1,000 per semester/term per experience. 

Preference in selection is given to students completing their FIRST internship/career experience in their chosen career field or industry AND/OR demonstration of financial hardship incurred by taking on an unpaid experience. 

Minimum requirements

• Minimum 2.5 GPA (freshman students will use their average high school GPA)
• Currently enrolled at the Florham or Metro Campuses in a degree-seeking program at Fairleigh Dickinson University during the school term of the experience
• In good standing at the University.

To apply, submit: 

• Ruzila Award Application -attached
• Resume
• Brief Letter of Reference addressed to the “Ruzila Award Selection Committee“ from a faculty member, administrator, former supervisor, etc. – upload to Handshake with the application or email separately to career@fdu.edu.
• Cover Letter (please be sure to address it to the “Ruzila Award Selection Committee“ and to answer the following questions):
  • Why is this internship/experience important to your career goals?
  • What are some professional skills you hope to develop with this internship and why?
  • If applicable:  How would this award impact your ability to participate in an unpaid internship experience?  Although not required, the selection committee will consider the financial need of the applicant when selecting awardees.

Important things to know:

• Applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decision within 30 days of the application deadline.
• If you would like to be considered for this award, please make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit the COMPLETED APPLICATION along with ALL of your accompanying materials (resume, cover letter, and letter of reference) before the deadline. Past and paid experiences and incomplete and late applications will not be considered for the award.
• Students can apply for the award before starting the internship/experience. However, you will need to provide the information of the secured experience before the funds are awarded.
• Internships can be for academic credit or not-for-credit. 
• This award is paid directly to the student, not the school, to avoid adverse effects on any existing financial aid package. However, the award is considered income which could affect the student’s tax status.
• Efforts will be made to pay out awards before the end of the term/semester of the experience, pending receipt of all required documentation.
• Students can reapply for the award every year they are enrolled at FDU. Subsequent experiences must be unique (i.e. different job/role and/or employer). Total award amount cannot exceed $4,000 for any one individual.
• Students who work/intern with Career Development are not eligible. Students who intern/work for a university department are not eligible unless there are extenuating circumstances.