To become a Student Leader, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Have achieved your high school diploma or equivalent within the last 2 years (24 months).
Have earned at least 12 hours and no more than 18 credit hours of post-secondary credit.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship through the end of July 2026.
Participate in a full-time (minimum 35 hours weekly) 6-week paid internship at a local nonprofit between June and July.
Provide a transcript of your post-secondary progress to verify credits earned.
Travel to and participate in a 3-day Leadership Summit within the United States (June 16-18, 2026), with paid summit expenses as part of the 6-week experience.
Be a student in good standing at your post-secondary educational institution.
Provide an overview of key accomplishments, including your work and educational achievements.
Reside in an eligible program location during summer 2026.
Have not been previously selected for the Student Leaders program as a high school student.
Not be a Bank of America employee or immediate family member (e.g., children, siblings, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.).
Obtain 2 recommendations from your current educational institution (e.g., dean, department chair, professor, director of admissions, etc.) or former high school (e.g., teacher, coach, counselor, school administrator, etc.). Directions to submit recommendations will follow via email upon application submission.
Selected Student Leaders are required to:
Have a primary or secondary community interest that aligns with the internship opportunity in market.
Have served in a leadership role within the last 2 years (24 months).
Demonstrate active involvement outside of educational coursework – including hours spent in the community, volunteering, working at a job or work study or with individual entrepreneurial endeavors.
Have performed in the top 20% of applicants recommended for the program.
FAQs
How and when do I apply for the Bank of America Student Leaders program?
Eligible students can apply online at www.cybergrants.com/boa/slselection by selecting Apply Now when the application opens February 9, 2026.
The deadline for the Student Leaders® application is March 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm eastern/ 8:59 pm pacific. There will be NO deadline extensions so please plan accordingly for potential challenges. Submission processing time can be delayed in the final hours before the deadline, so please don't wait until the last minute.
How do I return to an unsubmitted application to continue working on it?
Make note of your login ID and your password so that you can return to the application and complete it later. You may return to the application directly by going to http://www.cybergrants.com/boa/slselection/.
I am locked out of my CyberGrants account, how can I reset my password?
Please contact CyberGrants at cgsupport@cybergrants.com.
I submitted an application online – when can I expect to receive an update on its status?
We anticipate that all Student Leaders applicants are notified via the email provided in their application by the end of April.
How do I find the request ID for my application?
The request ID is included in the confirmation email sent to you after successful submission of your application. This email will be sent from noreply@foundation.bankofamerica.com.
How much does the internship pay?
$17/hour or local minimum wage – whichever is higher.
Will my living expenses be covered while working at the nonprofit organization?
No. Bank of America will not cover living expenses (e.g., travel, lodging, meals, etc.) while working at the nonprofit/charitable organization. Bank of America will, however, cover expenses associated with the Student Leaders Summit.
Can a family member or close friend serve as my reference?
No. Family members or close friends cannot serve as a reference. References can be a professor, school administrator, mentor, supervisor, etc.
Is a resume required as part of my application?
No, a resume is not required.
I applied to Student Leaders in the past but never got selected – can I apply again?
Students who applied in a previous year and were not selected can reapply if they meet other eligibility criteria.
Once I submit my application, who can I contact for assistance?
For questions, contact us at foundation@bofa.com.
If I am selected for the program, will I be working for Bank of America?
If you are selected for the Student Leader program, you will work for the nonprofit at which you intern. These organizations are our partners and are selected by Bank of America.
How long will my internship last?
The internship is a 6-week program, inclusive of the time spent at the Student Leaders Summit.
When will my internship begin?
You can expect your internship to begin in the mid-June timeframe. The internship will run for 6 weeks and includes the time spent at the Student Leaders Summit.
Can I take time off during my internship (e.g., summer school, vacation, or sick time)?
Please work with your manager/supervisor at the nonprofit on taking time off during your internship. To get the most out of the internship program it is recommended that you avoid or minimize taking time off.
Is participation in the Student Leaders Summit mandatory?
Yes. If you are unable to participate in the summit in full, you are ineligible for the Student Leaders program.
Is there a cost for me to attend the Student Leader Summit?
The cost to attend the Student Leaders Summit is paid for by Bank of America - this includes baggage fees, travel to and from the location, hotel accommodations, and all meals. Bank of America will handle travel arrangements. Students only need to pay for their own souvenirs and incidentals.
How will I know where I am interning?
The location of your potential internship will be made available during the application process. You will be asked to indicate a preference in nonprofit areas of interest, should multiple nonprofit internships be available in your location.
What if I have transportation challenges with the assigned internship placement?
Transportation to and from the assigned internship location is the student’s responsibility. If you are having challenges with transportation, please contact your manager/supervisor at the nonprofit.
Should you be selected as a Student Leader additional information about your internship and the Student Leaders Summit will be available to you at that time.