Expenses

The program fee, starting fall of 2024, is $13,000 to participate in the Dietetic Internship (DI). Additional expenses as outlined below are approximate and not included in the program fee. The intern is responsible for housing, transportation (and associated costs), and any other personal expenses incurred.

Expenses

Program Fee

• Upon acceptance of an internship position, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required
• Full payment (less $500 deposit) is due the week of orientation. Payment plans of 2, 4, or 5 installments are also available.
• Credit and debit cards are accepted
• Program Fee and associated costs are subject to change each year

Housing
Room and board on campus: Not Available
Interns are responsible for securing his/her own housing within the Twin Cities local area.

U of M DI Program ID Badge
Your U of M DI Program ID badge is to be worn during all supervised practice experiences. This will be in addition to any photo ID badge issued for your assigned clinical site.

Background Study Clearance
Prior to orientation, all U of M DI interns will be asked to provide information required for a background study clearance. This is to comply with the Vulnerable Adults Act which requires the Department of Human Services to perform background studies of individuals who have potential contact with patients. The background study fee is covered by the program; however, the fingerprinting fee is to be paid by each intern at the time it is completed.

COVID-19 and other Vaccination Requirements
All interns must follow COVID-19 and other vaccination policies for the U of MN and the health care systems in which they will be working. We reserve the right to maintain a requirement for learners to have their initial COVID-19 vaccination series and booster if the current CDC recommendations support it. 

We will notify each intern in the summer prior to the program start of vaccination requirements for their sites. We will work with interns who request exemptions to accommodate them for placement at a compatible site, as space allows at those facilities.

Vaccinations include:

• COVID-19
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening
• Measles/Rubeola, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap)
• Hepatitis B Series
• Annual Influenza (Flu)

Vaccinations must be completed prior to orientation, except the flu vaccine is due in the fall. Interns must provide sufficient documentation of vaccination compliance in advance of program's start date. The University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship and its affiliates do not provide vaccinations or testing to interns.

Health Insurance
Each intern must provide proof of health insurance with a hospitalization component on the first day or orientation. The cost of insurance will vary and cannot be estimated by the Dietetic Internship Program.  

Personal Auto Liability Insurance
Sites will vary among students and rotations, with distances up to 35 miles (from the St. Paul campus). Due to various site locations and travel distance between facilities, each intern is required to have a reliable form of transportation. Public transportation is a potential option for a few rotation sites.

The University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship assumes no liability for safety in travel to or from supervised practice sites. Therefore, each intern is required to provide proof of personal auto liability insurance (a requirement by the state of Minnesota) by the first day of orientation. The cost of auto insurance will vary and cannot be estimated by the Dietetic Internship Program.

*Because there is wide variability between sites, site placements, transportation and parking options, parking expenses are difficult to estimate. 

Professional Liability Insurance
Interns are required to obtain professional liability insurance at their own expense. The intern must provide a valid insurance certificate before the first day of orientation. Interns should contact the carrier recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

ServSafe Manager Course
ServSafe Manager course content is deemed helpful for Foodservice Systems & Management rotations and studying for the RDN Exam. However, obtaining certification is optional.  

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership
Student membership of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is mandatory in order to access the Evidence Analysis Library (EAL), tutorials, journal articles and other resources.

Additional Items

• Computer with audio-visual capabilities, internet access, and printer availability
• GPS navigation system to easily and safely navigate the Twin Cities

Upon Graduation

• For registration examination details and fees: https://www.cdrnet.org
• For information and fees for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership: http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/membership/membership-types-and-criteria
• For state licensure for dietetics professionals: https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure

Financial Aid, Loans, Scholarships

Although seated within the University of Minnesota, this program is not certified by the U.S. Department of Education for eligibility for Title IV student financial aid because it does not carry academic credit. However, interns may be able to defer repayment of existing student loans. If necessary, a letter stating your placement in the dietetic internship program can be provided. Please contact program leadership if needed.

Individuals in the combined MPS+DI option may be eligible for student financial aid and the federal student loan program while they are enrolled as students and completing their MPS degree requirements. This will typically not apply to MPS+DI interns in Year 2 during the DI component (i.e., MPS degree will be completed).

U of M Dietetic Internship leadership encourages students to pursue scholarships that are available from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is the largest provider of dietetic scholarships to deserving students at all levels of study. The number of scholarships varies from year to year, each with a value range of $500 to $10,000 each. Contact the Foundation staff at 800-877-1600, ext. 4793 or check their scholarships web page for further information. Congratulations to the 2023 Scholarship Recipients - U of M DI Interns shown in maroon font. 

Any intern employed on a supplemental basis must adhere to the following:

• Employment does not interfere with the internship program schedule and expectations
• Dietetic internship performance must be exemplary

Please check with program leadership if you have concerns about this.