Central Valley college students can get $10,000 for volunteering in new state program
Stanislaus State just got a lot more affordable for low-income and undocumented students who are willing to give back to their community.
The university is one of 45 colleges across the state that will participate in the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program, in which a select number of students will be able to gain career-relevant experience through service. Volunteers will receive up to $10,000 toward the cost of their education in exchange for this service. UC Merced also is among the participating universities.
The focus of the grant is to help students who need to take out loans and are Pell-eligible, middle-income and Dreamers. Stanislaus State says it’s committed to recruiting a diverse pool of applicants, it’s particularly centered on enrolling Dreamers and males who are of color and low-income.
It’s a win-win for all, said Josh Fryday, California’s chief service officer, on a video call announcing the program on Jan. 18. He added that the Golden State is in a unique position where it must call on its youth population to serve while also helping students stay on track to finish school.
“If you step up for your community, we are willing to fund your college,” he said.
Of the more than $285.2 million in total funds, a little over $1.7 million will go to Stanislaus State. Those funds will then be used toward the planning phase in spring 2022 and implementing the program the first year.
The program would provide an estimated 6,500 total opportunities, with 100 Stanislaus State students having the chance to participate beginning fall 2020. To be eligible, students must be full-time undergraduates.
Many Stanislaus State students are already involved in civic engagement, said university President Ellen Junn in a news release. In fact, the university is known for strong community partnerships, earning a national community service honor in 2015.
“I’m both pleased and proud that Stanislaus State is a partner in this civic action fellowship,” Junn said. “This program not only supports those (civic engagement) efforts but will create additional higher educational opportunities.”
Incoming freshmen and Dreamers, or those considered AB 540 eligible, can also apply. The application will be posted on the Stanislaus State Human Resources page under the career opportunities section for students.
Selected applicants would commit to completing 450 hours of service throughout the year. Service opportunities will be tailored to a student’s academic curriculum.
The opportunities are offered in critical issue areas like climate change, education and youth development, specifically tutoring, mentoring, health and disaster response. Fellows would receive a stipend of $7,000, which is distributed into monthly payments throughout the year, plus a $3,000 education award through AmeriCorps once they complete the hours of service.
Service hours will be tracked using Google and Canvas, and will be confirmed with service sites. If a student is unable to complete the hours, the award will be prorated.
More information about the program will be shared with the campus in March, with the application set to be available in April. Applicants must submit an essay detailing their interest and motivation for being in a civic engagement fellowship.
The College Service Fellows team at Stanislaus State will review applications and contact eligible applicants to schedule in-person interviews. Applicants must also undergo background checks, which will be facilitated by the fellows and HR team at the university.
Students that are selected for this upcoming cohort may apply again the following year.
“I think it’s very progressive,” said Julian Johnson, a psychology senior at Stanislaus State.
He believes it’s a great way to support low-income students, while also helping the community. And though the funding from the program would be taxable income that must be noted on financial aid applications for college, he feels the benefit students will get from this program outweighs the potential drawbacks.
Applications will be reviewed in the order of the date received. The deadline to apply is June 30.
For more information, visit the College Corps page on the California Volunteers website.
This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
