WV LEND is a competitive program that receives many applications each year. The application process begins mid-winter with applicants typically chosen by May. The apply button will take you to the application. Commonly asked questions are listed in the FAQ section below.
If you have questions about the WV LEND application process or if you need assistance completing your application, please contact us. Please note that email is the most efficient way to communicate with WV LEND:
We have answered commonly asked questions below. Select the question title to view the answer.
LEND is a training program where trainees are paid to learn. Each trainee is assigned to a mentor. Trainees work with their mentors to develop their own Individual Training Plan. Based on their individual goals, trainees participate in a wide range of learning activities including leadership seminars, clinical experiences, lived experience series, research opportunities and interprofessional education. Trainees will complete required activities per their contract.
No, the Qualtrics application is all we need. Our team will select applicants to move on to the interview round of the admission process based on the submitted applications. If you are selected to move forward to an interview, our team will reach out to you via email to schedule.
LEND applications typically open early spring semester and close mid-April. Interviews are held in early May for those applicants chosen to move on to the interview round. New LEND trainees will be informed of their acceptance to the program by May 30.
Yes, the hour commitment for LEND is 300 hours across a full academic year. Based on two 16-week semesters, trainees need to dedicate about 9 hours per week to LEND. Some trainees do more hours over breaks and during holidays, so they have less to do when they are busier with school requirements and other commitments. Also, the majority of LEND activities are made to be completed online at your own pace. For live LEND activities, recordings are posted online so trainees can watch later.
LEND trainees who apply and are selected through the application and interview process are considered paid long-term trainees. These paid long-term trainees are contracted for 300 hours through WVU and are paid on the University payment schedule. Payment total is $10,000. Trainee payment is managed by WVU CED Accounting, WVU Shared Services, and WVU Talent and Culture.
Requirements from our federal funding require long-term paid trainees to hold U.S. citizenship. Individuals who are not U.S. citizens can be unpaid long-term LEND trainees.
Yes, you can still be a medium or short-term LEND trainee and participate in all LEND activities, but you would not receive monetary support from LEND. We have found that the hour requirements for long-term LEND trainees make it difficult for students to successfully participate in both.
Some individuals are not eligible for payment through LEND because of citizen status or holding another position through WVU, however the benefits of LEND are still valuable. LEND trainees are part of a national network that builds a community of many different professionals, supports and learning opportunities.
All WV LEND trainees, paid and unpaid, have the opportunity to earn the Disability Identity Badge accredited as a micro-credential through the WVU Office of the Provost. All LEND trainees can also receive mentorship from LEND mentors and participate in all LEND activities including the Feeding and Swallowing Clinic, Leadership Seminar and research opportunities.
Yes. Feeding and Swallowing Clinic is held on most Thursday mornings. LEND mentors from social work, psychology, neurology, developmental pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and speech pathology join trainees for chart review, feeding assessment, family wrap-up and post-staffing. Trainees may attend clinic in-person or participate remotely via telehealth. Trainees can attend partial clinics based on their individual schedule needs. Due to privacy and confidentiality standards, Feeding and Swallowing Clinic cannot be recorded and posted for online later review. Trainees can review recorded clinics in-person at the CED during normal working hours.
