# SEC Scholars vs. Pathways: unpaid and paid routes, deadlines and eligibility — worksheet

Independent preparation worksheet. Examples below are fictional, not employer assessments. Complete the application fields from the actual current posting; this worksheet does not submit an application.

## Application decision

Program: Scholars or Pathways?
Exact office and announcement:
Pay status confirmed in the posting:
Application deadline, not start date:
Enrollment and GPA evidence:
Required weekly presence:
Direct costs and confirmed funding:
Alternative role I am comparing:
Next permitted application action:

## Unpaid-placement comparison

A fictional unpaid placement requires 16 hours weekly for 10 weeks, with 4 additional travel hours and $50 direct costs each week. A genuinely available alternative would pay $18 for the same 16 work hours. Separate work/travel hours, direct cash outlay and forgone gross earnings. Do not call the combined figure a bill.

## Your work

Calculation and units:

[Write your work.]

Conclusion supported by the inputs:

[Write your conclusion.]

What is not established:

[Write the limitation.]

Next evidence or clarification needed:

[Write the next step.]

## Connect it to your own application

Actual prior work I can discuss:
My individual contribution:
Output or file I may share:
What changed after feedback:
One limit of the work:
Employer rule for permitted assistance:

Worked explanation and dated sources: https://internshipdeadlines.com/guides/sec-scholars-pathways-internship-guide

Guide research date: 2026-09-16. Recheck employer requirements before applying.