Student Opportunities and Resources

Whether you’re looking for an internship, applying for a student competition, exploring opportunities in public service, or seeking resources to help you reach your educational and career goals, we encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and resources.

If you have questions about any of the programs listed above or need help navigating a federal resource, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. We’re here to help connect you with the tools you need to succeed.

Internships & Fellowships

My office is proud to offer a variety of internship and fellowship opportunities for students and young adults interested in public service.

Internship Opportunities

My office offers two paid internship programs for undergraduate students and recent graduates interested in public service—one in the district office in Montclair and the other in Washington, D.C. Both internships are offered in the spring, summer, and fall.

Washington, D.C. Office

Interns in the Washington, D.C. office will learn about the legislative process in a fast-paced congressional environment. Responsibilities include answering phones, drafting memos, attending committee hearings and briefings, and gathering press clips.

Hours are flexible to accommodate students’ course schedules but generally run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The deadline for the Fall 2026 session has passed. Please stay tuned for information about our Spring 2027 program.

Montclair Office

Interns in the Montclair office will gain hands-on experience with constituent relations and community outreach. Duties include responding to constituent inquiries, assisting with casework, researching local issues, and supporting the office at community events.

The district office will consider both full-time and part-time applicants. Interns are expected to work at least 15 hours per week.

The deadline for the Fall 2026 session has passed. Please stay tuned for information about our Spring 2027 program.

Our office is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, disability, national origin, military status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District ties are preferred, but not required.

Fellowship Opportunities

Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program

The Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program was established by the U.S. House of Representatives to provide employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star Families, and active-duty spouses within congressional offices.

My office is seeking eligible applicants for a two-year, paid position serving in our Montclair and Washington, D.C. offices. The Congressional Aide will handle veteran-related casework, attend meetings on behalf of Congresswoman Mejia, and help facilitate communication between constituents and federal, state, and local agencies.

Who can apply:
  • Veterans: Must be honorably discharged or released from active duty within the last six years and have a terminal pay grade at or below E-5, O-3, or W-2.
  • Veterans promoted to E-6, O-4, or W-3 within six months of separation from active duty may be eligible if they meet all other program requirements.
  • Veterans receiving a 20-year or Temporary Early Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirement are not eligible.
  • Gold Star Families: Eligible applicants include the spouse, parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, child, or step-child of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability.
  • Active-Duty Spouses: Spouses of service members subject to Title 10 mobilization are not eligible.

Service Academy Nominations

Congressional nominations provide qualified students with the opportunity to compete for appointments to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The Service Academy nomination process for students reporting in Summer 2027 is now open.

Students interested in applying for a nomination should review the application instructions and submit their completed application here by Thursday, October 22, 2026.

For questions about the nomination process, please contact our Montclair office at 973-526-5668.

Applicants can also review our Military Nominations frequently asked questions for more information about what to expect and how to prepare.

Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that encourages middle and high school students to explore coding, computer science, and STEM by designing and creating their own original app. Students can develop an app on any topic using the programming language and platform of their choice.

Students may compete individually or in teams of up to four.

Who can apply:

  • Middle and high school students enrolled at the time of the submission deadline.
  • Students may compete in the congressional district where they live or attend school.
  • For teams, at least half of the team members must live or attend school in the district.
  • Participants must reside in the United States; U.S. citizenship is not required.

App requirements:

  • Students may use any programming language, including C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, block code, and others.
  • Students may use any platform, including PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, and others.
  • There are no restrictions on the app’s theme or topic.
  • Students may submit any app they've created after the previous year's contest
  • Applicants must submit information about their app, responses about their development process, and a 1–3 minute demonstration video explaining and showcasing their project.

Apps must be submitted here by October 26, 2026, at 12:00pm EST.

Congressional Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual opportunity for high school students to showcase their artistic talent. Each spring, students from across the country submit original artwork through their congressional districts, where local panels judge the entries.

The winning artwork from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside winning pieces from congressional districts across the country.

Check out previous winners and their artwork here: Art Competition Winners

Who can apply:

  • High school students who reside in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
  • Artwork must be original and created by a single student.
  • Collaborative pieces are not eligible.

Artwork requirements:

  • Artwork must be two-dimensional.
  • Artwork must be framed and may not exceed 28" × 28" × 4" or weigh more than 15 pounds.
  • Accepted mediums include:
    • Paintings, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor
    • Drawings, including pencil, colored pencil, ink, marker, pastel, and charcoal
    • Collages
    • Prints, including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
    • Mixed media
    • Computer-generated art
    • Photography
  • Artwork must be original in concept, design, and execution.
  • Artwork must comply with U.S. copyright laws.

The deadline and submission information for the 2027 Congressional Art Competition will be announced at a later date.

The Congressional Award

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award program for youth and is open to all 14- to 24-year-olds.  Every young person who completes the challenges will obtain the award. 

The Congressional Award recognizes young people who set and achieve goals that fall within each of the Award’s four focus areas:

  1. Voluntary Public Service;
  2. Personal Development;
  3. Physical Fitness; and
  4. Expedition/Exploration Activities.

Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals by logging the hours they invest in projects in each of the Award’s focus areas. Each certificate and medal represents a threshold of hours logged and months spent working toward the award. To see all reward requirements, view the Congressional Award Program Book available here. Gold Medals are presented at an annual ceremony every summer in Washington, D.C.

Involvement in activities like 4-H, Scouting, aerobics, school and community sports, camping and other outdoor activities, high school clubs and activities, and other extracurricular activities can help you achieve medal status in the Congressional Award.

While earning the award, participants can move at their own pace, working either alone or with friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, participants are honored for achieving their own challenging goals after registering for the program. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements and accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge.

The program encourages young constituents to better both themselves and their communities through service, personal development, fitness and curiosity about the world around them. To start the challenge and be a changemaker, visit the Congressional Award website. Contact information@congressionalaward.org for any questions.

FAFSA & Federal Student Loans

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps students apply for federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. States and colleges may also use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for additional financial aid.

Students and borrowers can also find information about managing federal student loans, repayment plans, loan consolidation, and programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Apply and learn more: studentaid.gov

VA Education & GI Bill® Education Benefits

Veterans Affairs education benefits help veterans, service members, and their qualified family members pay for college or other education and training, find the right school or training program, and access career counseling.

Learn how to apply for and manage education and training benefits: va.gov/education

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to eligible households with low incomes, helping them purchase groceries through an electronic benefits card accepted at most food retailers and some farmers markets.

Eligibility is based on several factors, including income and resources.

See if you qualify and apply: nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap and usa.gov/food-help

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps eligible low-income families, elderly individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities afford housing in the private market. Participants can choose eligible housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, with a portion of their rent covered through a subsidy paid directly to the landlord.

Learn more and find your local housing agency: hud.gov/helping-americans

Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to eligible individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities.

In New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare is the state’s publicly funded health insurance program that helps qualified New Jersey residents of all ages access affordable health coverage.

Learn more about NJ FamilyCare: njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us