Unpaid internships are often a great way to gain experience at companies and in labs. Some who have taken these unpaid positions, however, felt they were not taken seriously by the company or lab since they were not paid. Simply put, if you are getting paid, you are expected to work, but if not, sometimes the expectations are lower and you may not feel you are getting the real experience or are being worked as hard as you should. Use your own judgement, but keep this in mind.
How to not eat Ramen noodles all summer: Financing your Research