Get a $5,250 Stipend for AANHPI Policy Work: OCA Summer Internship Program 2026 (Washington DC)

If you care about policy, community power, and getting hands-on experience in the corridors of government, the OCA Summer Internship Program is one of those rare summer gigs that mixes real responsibility with professional training. You’ll spend ten weeks in Washington, D.C., working at a congressional office, federal agency, nonprofit, or private company on issues that affect Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The program pays a $5,250 stipend for the summer, includes weekly cohort programming, and plugs you into an alumni network that has produced staffers, executive directors, and elected officials.

This is not a foot-in-the-door networking fluff thing. Past interns report leaving with actual policy chops, an understanding of how advocacy gets done, and relationships that open job doors. If you’re an undergrad (or a very recent grad) who wants to learn how to turn community priorities into policy outcomes — and can be in D.C. all summer — read on. I’ll walk you through who should apply, what to expect, how to write an application that stands out, and the practical details you don’t want to discover the week before you move.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers (Detailed)

Think of this summer as an intensive internship boot camp with a community focus. You’ll be placed full-time for ten weeks at a host organization in D.C. — that could mean drafting memos in a congressional office, supporting policy research at a nonprofit, or helping a federal program with outreach tasks. The $5,250 stipend is intended to offset living costs; it’s paid pre-tax and you’ll be responsible for reporting it on your tax return. Occasionally, host sites choose to pay interns directly; when they do, they must match at least OCA’s stipend.

Beyond the paycheck, OCA designs the internship as both an employment experience and an education program. Each Friday, interns gather at OCA National for “Sama Sama” (Tagalog for “together”), a mix of workshops, guest speakers, and cohort reflection. You’ll also staff OCA’s National Convention, complete an APIA-U leadership training, and take part in Advocacy Day — where you’ll join groups to meet members of Congress about issues that matter to AANHPI communities. These structured activities are where you transition from doing a job to thinking like an advocate and strategic communicator.

The program also feeds you into a network: alumni have moved into legislative staff positions, nonprofit leadership, and national council roles. That network is often more valuable than the stipend when you’re job-hunting after graduation. OCA provides mentorship, alumni connections, and professional development aimed at building both technical skills and culturally competent leadership.

Who Should Apply

This internship is aimed at students who want to translate community concerns into public policy or programmatic action. If you’re an undergraduate who has completed at least one year of college by June 1, 2026, you’re eligible. Recent graduates (within one year of the internship) can also apply. OCA does not require applicants to be U.S. citizens; DACA and undocumented students may be eligible but must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and must be eligible to work by the first day of the program. Note that some placement sites—especially certain federal roles or offices with security constraints—may require citizenship, so non-citizen applicants should expect some limits on placement options.

Who wins these internships? Typical successful applicants have clear evidence of commitment to AANHPI issues — campus organizations, volunteer work, community-based research, or prior advocacy experience. But you don’t need a perfect resume. If you’re a sophomore political science major who ran a voter registration drive in your hometown, or a recent grad who coordinated community outreach for a cultural nonprofit, that context matters. Equally valuable are language skills, lived experience in AANHPI communities, and demonstrated initiative — like founding a student group or organizing a local town hall.

If you’re unsure whether you’re a fit: ask whether you can spend ten weeks in D.C., work full-time, and commit to cohort programming (Sama Sama, Convention, Advocacy Day). If the answer is yes and you want a crash course in advocacy and policy, apply.

Program Logistics You Should Know

The internship runs Monday, June 1 through Friday, August 7, 2026 — a strict ten-week period. Placements are in-person in Washington, D.C., and your commute, housing, and living expenses are your responsibility. OCA’s stipend helps but won’t necessarily cover rent in D.C., so plan accordingly. Each Friday you’ll return to OCA National for cohort activities. You’ll also be expected to staff national events (scheduling is provided in advance), and to participate in Advocacy Day meetings with members of Congress. If you leave early or don’t complete the full ten weeks, your stipend will be reduced proportionally.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

Applications vary, but prepare the usual suspects and then some. Put effort into items that demonstrate both competence and community commitment.

• Resume: one page, clean formatting, emphasize impact (numbers > vague phrases).
• Personal statement / essay: a focused narrative (500–800 words) explaining why you care about AANHPI issues and what you hope to gain.
• Transcript: unofficial is usually fine for the application.
• References: two to three recommenders who can speak to your work ethic, civic engagement, or academic abilities.
• Proof of enrollment or recent graduation: registrar letter or diploma copy if you’ve already graduated.
• Work-eligibility details: SSN or ITIN may be requested upon acceptance; noncitizen applicants should confirm work authorization.

Preparation advice: give recommenders at least three weeks and provide them with a short summary of your goals and a list of accomplishments to make their letters specific. For your personal statement, don’t repeat your resume — show a clear motivation, a problem you want to tackle, and a concrete learning goal for the summer. If you have a community project or campaign, include quick metrics (people reached, events organized, policy wins) to quantify impact.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. Tie your story to specific AANHPI concerns. Vague interest in “civil rights” is soft. Say you led a language access project, supported elders with culturally specific services, or organized around immigration issues. Specifics show you know the terrain and don’t need to be taught why these issues matter.

2. Show capacity to handle D.C. living. Reviewers want to ensure interns won’t burn out. Mention prior full-time commitments, examples of thriving in fast-paced settings, and how you plan to afford housing. Practicality signals seriousness.

3. Demonstrate advocacy potential, not just résumé polish. Give examples of convincing someone (campus admin, city councilor) to change policy or behavior. Even small wins — starting a cultural program, improving club funding — reveal the skills OCA looks for.

4. Use numbers and names. Instead of “led a community outreach,” write “organized 12 weekend events that drew 600 attendees and increased volunteer sign-ups by 40 percent.” Concrete outcomes beat broad claims.

5. Prepare a brief ‘placement preference’ paragraph. If you want a congressional office versus a policy shop, explain why — cite a legislator’s record or a policy area you want to learn about. That helps OCA match you to meaningful placements.

6. Line up references who can tell a story. Don’t use generic letters. Choose recommenders who can narrate a moment when you demonstrated leadership, resilience, or advocacy skill.

7. Proof everything and read it aloud. Applications with typos make reviewers wonder about your attention to detail. You’re applying for public-facing work; polish matters.

These tips are about narrative and evidence. The mechanics — doing the paperwork on time, having a clear budget plan for the summer — are table stakes. Combine both to be competitive.

Application Timeline (Practical, Backward Planning)

Deadline is January 5, 2026. That sounds distant now, but let’s set a realistic timeline so you’re not sprinting at the end.

• December (8–10 weeks before): Draft your personal statement and resume. Identify recommenders and ask for letters. Order transcripts if needed.
• Mid-December to early January (4–6 weeks before): Finalize application materials, request reviews from a professor or career counselor, and assemble any supplemental documents.
• Two weeks before deadline: Complete the online form, upload materials, and double-check contact info for recommenders. Give recommenders a courtesy reminder and confirm submission.
• 48–72 hours before deadline: Submit early. Online portals crash and last-minute edits cause stress. Early submission also gives you time to confirm that references processed.
• After submission: Prepare for an interview window (if extended). Research potential host sites, and start lining up summer housing options in D.C.

Start early. The best applications take time to shape; aim to have a first full draft of your statement by mid-December so you can refine.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (Review Criteria)

Although OCA doesn’t publish an exact scoring rubric, reviewers typically look for three things: commitment to AANHPI communities, demonstrated leadership and impact, and readiness for professional placement in D.C.

• Commitment is shown through sustained community involvement or coursework focused on AANHPI issues. A one-off volunteer day is less convincing than a year of organizing.
• Leadership means not just titles but influence — how you moved people, improved an organization, or created a new program.
• Readiness includes practical indicators: successful completion of full-time internships or jobs, strong references, and the ability to arrange D.C. housing and travel.

Additionally, cultural competency matters. OCA places value on applicants who understand nuances in the AANHPI community and can communicate across languages and generations. Applicants who articulate specific learning goals and show curiosity about policy mechanics — not just prestige — tend to rise to the top.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

1. Underestimating living costs. Don’t assume the stipend covers rent in D.C. Create a simple budget: rent, food, transit, and incidentals. If the stipend falls short, plan for a roommate, campus housing, or short-term family help.

2. Vague personal statements. Avoid broad declarations. Use concrete examples, define the issue you care about, and specify what you want to learn.

3. Last-minute recommenders. If a recommender says yes but you don’t provide materials and context, the letter will be generic. Give them your resume, a draft statement, and a reminder two weeks before the deadline.

4. Ignoring placement restrictions for noncitizens. If you’re not a citizen, ask OCA about which placements are available to you and be upfront in your application about work authorization.

5. Typos and sloppy formatting. These signal low effort. Use one professional font, consistent dates, and a single resume version.

6. Overclaiming. Don’t take credit for work you didn’t do. Reviewers sometimes check references; inconsistencies hurt credibility.

Fix these by planning ahead: draft early, budget realistically, coach your recommenders, and be honest about eligibility limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to be AANHPI to apply? A: No. OCA seeks applicants who are committed to AANHPI issues. Lived experience is valuable but not required. Demonstrate genuine interest and familiarity with the communities you wish to serve.

Q: Are international students eligible? A: Non-U.S. citizens can apply, but you must be eligible to work by the internship start date and typically need an SSN or ITIN to receive the stipend and file taxes. Some host placements may be restricted to citizens.

Q: Is housing provided? A: No. Interns are responsible for their own housing and living expenses. The stipend helps offset costs but plan carefully — D.C. rent is high.

Q: What happens if a placement pays me directly? A: Some hosts may choose to pay interns directly; if so, they must at least match OCA’s stipend amount. OCA will provide guidance in these cases.

Q: Will I receive feedback if not selected? A: OCA may provide general feedback but specific critiques vary. Treat any feedback as fuel for your next application.

Q: Can prior OCA chapter interns apply? A: Yes — but former OCA National Summer Interns are not eligible. If you were a chapter-level intern, you can still apply.

Q: Are remote placements an option? A: The program is designed as in-person placements in D.C. Expect in-person work and cohort programming.

Q: If accepted, when will I find out my placement? A: Placement timelines vary. If selected, OCA will share placement details and onboarding instructions well before June 1.

Next Steps and How to Apply

Ready to make a move? Here’s a short checklist so you can act this week:

1. Mark the application deadline: January 5, 2026. Set two earlier personal deadlines (first draft by mid-December; final by December 28).
2. Ask two recommenders now and give them a quick packet: resume, draft statement, and submission instructions.
3. Draft your personal statement focused on one or two specific AANHPI issues you want to address.
4. Build a simple summer budget so you know how to make the stipend work.
5. Visit the official application page and create an account if necessary.

How to Apply

Ready to apply? Visit the official OCA Summer Internship application page and follow their instructions. Apply early to avoid portal issues and give your recommenders time to submit.

Apply now: https://www.ocanational.org/summer-internship-application-form

If you want, paste your draft personal statement or resume here and I’ll give editing suggestions targeted to this program.