Corporate Site

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Immediate Assistance: Deborah Murray (757-864-5215) or Sarah Pauls (757-864-4394)

Questions

Q: I am a naturalized citizen, can I still apply?

Q: I am a permanent resident, can I still apply?

Q: I am a dual citizen, can I still apply?

Q: I am a U.S. citizen but I am attending an institution in another country, can I still apply?

Q: Where is the LARSS internship located?

Q: How long is the internship session?

Q: What are the session dates?

Q: I missed the deadline can I still apply?

Q: What majors are you looking for?

Q: What positions are available?

Q: How much is the LARSS stipend?

Q: How is the stipend paid?

Q: What is my tax liability for receiving a stipend?

Q: Who can I contact regarding the taxation of stipends and scholarships?

Q: How do LARSS interns acquire housing, meals, and other necessities during the internship?

Q: Does the LARSS program provide travel assistance?

Q: May I take leave during my internship?

Q: Does LARSS offer health and dental insurance or worker’s comp?

Q: How many times can I participate in LARSS?

Q: My GPA is not provided in the typical format. What should I do?

Q: What are your requirements for transcripts?

Q: How do I convert my transcript to Portable Document Format (PDF)?

Q: How do I upload my document(s)?

Q: What are your requirements for letters of recommendation?

Q: What should my reference(s) do if he/she is having difficulties submitting my recommendation?

Q: Can I mail in my letter of recommendation if my recommender has already written it?

Q: Is there a better chance for being selected if I submit my application before the deadline?

Q: How long does it take to fill out an application?

Q: How will I know if I am accepted?

Q: Will I be notified if I am NOT accepted?

Q: When will selection notifications be sent?

Q: What should I do if I have problems submitting my application?

Q: Who can I contact about the internship program?

Answers

Q: I am a naturalized citizen, can I still apply?
A: Yes.

Q: I am a permanent resident, can I still apply?
A: No, you must be a United States citizen.

Q: I am a dual citizen, can I still apply ?
A: Yes, as long as you are considered a United States citizen.

Q: I am a U.S. citizen but I am attending an institution in another country, can I still apply?
A: No, the institution must be located in the continental United States or a U.S. protectorate. You must be attending a United States accredited college or university. If you are attending a college or university in another country that is designated a United States college or university because, for example, it is located on an overseas United States military base, then you can apply.

Q: Where is the LARSS internship located?
A: The LARSS Program is located at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.

Q: How long is the internship session?
A: The fall and spring sessions are 15-weeks; the summer sessions are 10-weeks.

Q: What are the session dates?
A: Spring Session; January 17-April 27, 2012
Summer Session; June 4-August 10, 2012
Fall Session; September 4-December 14, 2012

Q: I missed the deadline can I still apply?
A: No, but we do encourage you to apply for a future session.

Q: What majors are you looking for?
A: Most STEM majors (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), but especially those that align with Langley’s research mission. A limited number of internship opportunities for non-STEM majors (e.g., accounting, business and public administration, English, journalism, history, photography and media arts) that support NASA Langley’s mission are also available.

Q: What positions are available?
A: Research internship opportunities are determined by NASA Langley mentors and vary from session to session. Please refer to the Research Opportunities link for directorate and branch descriptions of on-going research.

Q: How much is the LARSS stipend?
A: The amount of the LARSS stipend varies and depends on the student’s “year” in college. For example, the stipend for the 10-week summer session is as follows: freshman/ sophomore - $4000; Junior/Senior - $5,000; Graduate (MS and PhD) - $6,000. (The amount of the stipend for the 15 week sessions will be adjusted accordingly.)
Q: How is the stipend paid?
A: Regular LARSS interns (i.e., those not paid directly by a sponsor) are paid by check provided by program staff. Interns receive their first stipend check on or near the first day in the program. The remaining stipend checks will be dispersed throughout the internship according to the established schedule. Note: Direct deposit is not an option.

Q: What is my tax liability for receiving a stipend?
A: You are solely responsible for determining your liability for the purpose of filing your federal income taxes. Because regular LARSS interns are not considered to be either NASA, VSGC, ODURF or NIA employees, federal (withholding) taxes are not withheld from your stipend. Ergo: Regular LARSS interns do not receive a W-2 or a 1099. If you are a sponsored student, which would be stated in your selection notification, you are responsible for contacting your sponsor and for determining if your sponsor provides either a W-2 or 1099.

Q: Who can I contact regarding the taxation of stipends and scholarships?
A: The taxation of stipends and scholarships can be complex. Therefore, we urge all LARSS participants to contact tax professionals and/or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax-related questions. The LARSS staff cannot provide information, consultation, or advice regarding federal income tax rules and liability.

Q: How do LARSS interns acquire housing, meals, and other necessities during the internship?
A: The LARSS stipend can be used to defray expenses such as housing, meals and transportation. The LARSS program staff will provide interns with a list of (area) housing options. Working with a housing management company, the LARSS program staff obtains a negotiated rate for apartments and will assist program participants in obtaining roommates. The program staff will also connect students with other interns interested in pursuing their own housing.

Q: Does the LARSS program provide travel assistance?
A: No.

Q: May I take leave during my internship?
A: No. Participants do not receive annual and sick leave. However, program participants do receive time off for federal holidays (e.g., July 4th). Students are expected to work 40 hours per week for the 10 week (summer) or the 15-week (fall and spring) sessions. (Part-time is an option for the fall and spring but must be agreed upon prior to beginning the internship.) If, at the time of acceptance into the program, you plan to be away from the Center, (e.g., attend a conference), you MUST notify the LARSS staff and the mentor in writing. With program staff and mentor approval, this time off may be approved with the understanding that any time missed must be made up.

Q: Does LARSS offer health and dental insurance or worker’s comp?
A: No. LARSS participants are considered to be guest researchers, not employees.

Q: How many times can I participate in LARSS?
A: Students may be considered for multiple sessions in LARSS as long as they remain eligible and funding is available.

Q: My GPA is not provided in the typical format. What should I do?
A: Go to your registrar’s office; find out how your GPA system translates into a 4.0 scale. Enter the number they provide in the appropriate field.

Q: What are your requirements for transcripts?
A: In preparation for the LARSS electronic application process, you will need to upload a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript. If you are selected and accept the position, you will then need to request an official copy of your transcript be mailed to the program office. NOTE: Please black out your Social Security Number located on your transcript.

Q: How do I convert my transcript to Portable Document Format (PDF)?
A: Most schools will provide the unofficial transcript as a PDF via an on-line link. Converting documents to PDF depends on the type of operating system and software you are working with. Software is available to help you save your documents as PDF's. There are several programs available for both PCs and Macs, along with websites that will perform the conversion for you. An online search can enable you to find this type of software. Some systems offer a PDF conversion option on the print page.

Q: How do I upload my document(s)?
A (1): Your transcript is the only document that should be converted to a PDF.
A (2): Your resume should be typed into the text box provided so it remains “key word” searchable by the reviewers.
A (3): Recommendation letters can be uploaded via the link provided in the computer generated e-mail.

Q: What are your requirements for letters of recommendation?
A: The LARSS program requires two letters of recommendation. For the electronic application, you will need to provide the names of two (2) references and their e-mail address, telephone number, and their relationship (if any) to you. Note: Your references should be professional references, someone with personal knowledge and who can speak to your academic qualifications. At least one reference must be employed at the college or university you attend. We also discourage the use of relatives as references.

At the time you hit the submission button, your references will automatically receive a computer-generated request for the recommendation with instructions. Their recommendations will automatically be uploaded to your application via the link provided. References are given 1-week beyond the application deadline to submit their recommendation. Note: We will not withhold your application from consideration if your recommendation is submitted late. Should your reference(s) miss the deadline, they may email it directly to Sarah.E.Pauls@nasa.gov.

Q: What should my reference(s) do if he/she is having difficulties submitting my recommendation?
A: Contact Sarah.E.Pauls@nasa.gov for assistance.

Q: Can I mail in my letter of recommendation if my recommender has already written it?
A: No, letters of recommendation must be provided electronically via the link provided.

Q: Is there a better chance for being selected if I submit my application before the deadline?
A: Generally not. The entire process is electronic. Details for the review and selection process are sent out at the same time to Center employees once all applications have been approved.

Q: How long does it take to fill out an application?
A: It usually takes about 30 minutes to complete the electronic application. Information uploaded or filled in to the application can be saved for future completion. Note: It will save time if you have your electronic unofficial transcript, resume, and statement of goals at your fingertips prior to beginning the application.

Q: How will I know if I am accepted?
A: If you are selected for a LARSS internship, you will receive notification via e-mail from the LARSS Program staff with a description of the project you are being offered. When you receive that e-mail, you will have a short period of time to either accept or reject the offer. Once the deadline has passed, the offer expires. Please check your e-mail daily after the deadline for potential offers.

Q: Will I be notified if I am NOT accepted?
A: Yes. You will receive an email notification once the selection process is finalized.

Q: When will selection notifications be sent?
A: When the notifications are sent varies by session. Generally, selection notifications for the summer session are sent by April 30. Late selections will be notified to determine continued availability first.

Q: What should I do if I have problems submitting my application?
A: If you have missed any required fields, you will be instructed to return to the application and provide the data requested. If you are still having technical difficulties, please contact Sarah.E.Pauls@nasa.gov.

Q: Who can I contact about the internship program?
A: You may contact either Debbie Murray or Sarah Pauls. Although you are free to e-mail or call us anytime, generally e-mail works best. Please e-mail both of us in the event one of us is out of the office.

Debbie Murray
NASA LARSS Program Coordinator
Office Phone: 757-864-5215
Office Fax: 757-864-9701
Deborah.B.Murray@nasa.gov

Sarah Pauls
NASA LARSS Administrative Assistant
Office Phone: 757-864-4394
Sarah.E.Pauls@nasa.gov