Career Center Professional Development Fund for Attire for Undergraduate Students

Thank you for your interest in the Professional Development Fund for Attire.

All funds have been exhausted and applications are no longer being accepted for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The application will reopen in September 2026.

*Due to very limited funding, the Professional Development Fund for Attire will only consider applications from undergraduate students who receive need-based financial aid.*

Graduate students and undergraduates not receiving need-based financial aid are encouraged to seek funding through alternative sources.

Professional Development Fund for Attire

Through the Professional Development Fund for Attire, the Duke Career Center provides funding to support or supplement the career development of undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.

Eligible undergraduate students:

  • Are currently enrolled, matriculated, and in good standing at Duke University (good standing applies to academics, conduct and student accounts)
  • Receiving need-based financial aid
  • Sophomore, Junior, and Senior undergraduate students (First-year undergraduates are not currently eligible for funding)
  • In the pursuit of a professional or internship opportunity, students are no longer eligible once they have accepted a job/internship opportunity or graduate/professional school offer
  • Open to both domestic and international students

Eligible funding purchases: 

Students can apply to receive a gift card of $250 to support the purchase of professional or interview attire

  • Students will be asked to share information for their intended purchases as well as how the attire will be used
  • Students can only receive funding for professional attire one time during their academic career at Duke. This includes funding through the Duke Career Center or other funding sources designated for the purchase of professional attire
  • Funding may not be applied towards graduation attire, fees relating to graduate school or employment, or other purchases outside of the purpose for this program.

Financial need documentation:

  • To be considered, all applicants are asked to describe their financial circumstances to help the review committee understand their financial needs
  • Applications submitted without this documentation will not be considered for funding
  • Please note that due to limited funds available, applicants are not guaranteed funding and that award selections will be conducted by a review committee

Award amount:

  • $250.00 (paid by gift card)

Tax implications:

  • Monetary awards such as gift certificates and gift cards given to students are considered “cash equivalents” by the Internal Revenue Service and, therefore, are considered taxable/reportable to the recipient.  As a result, Duke University is required to collect tax information (name, DUID, permanent mailing address) for all gift card recipients for IRS reporting purposes, regardless of the dollar value of the gift card
  • Students who are U.S. citizens for tax purposes will receive a 1099MISC at the end of the calendar year if total payments received from Duke exceed $600 per IRS guidelines
  • Students who are non-U.S. citizens for tax purposes will receive a 1042S at the end of the calendar year, regardless of the total payments received from Duke per IRS guidelines

Application and award timeline:

  • Applications are due on the 15th of each month by noon (12:00 PM ET)
  • Submissions after the application deadline will be considered for the next review cycle
  • Recipients will be notified by email within 7 days of the application deadline passing
  • Recipients must complete the required acceptance paperwork within 5 days of award notification
  • Awards will be distributed by gift cards and must be picked up by appointment in the Career Center (036 Bryan Center)
  • Award processing takes between 2-4 weeks; recipients will be notified by email when their gift cards are ready for pick up
  • Awards will be distributed throughout the academic year or as long as funds remain available
  • The Professional Development Fund application process will pause during the months of November and December. The application will reopen on January 15th.

Application process:

  • Submit the official application form, including a description and documentation of financial need
  • Application must be completed in entirety to be considered for funding
  • Program contact: Leigh Ann Waring, Duke Career Center (leighann.waring@duke.edu)