California College Corps

California College Corps, initiated in the 2022-2023 academic year, is a statewide program that provides paid service opportunities for college students. It enables students to serve their communities while alleviating the burden of student debt and gaining valuable work experience. Participants can earn up to $10,000 by completing up to 450 hours of community service within a local non-profit/government organization that focuses in K-12 education, climate action, or food insecurity. 

How is the $10,000 distributed?

• Monthly Living Stipends: Participants receive monthly stipends throughout the program to support their living expenses while completing their service hours.
• Education Award: Upon successful completion of the program and 450 service hours, participants are awarded an education grant that can be used to pay for tuition, loans, or other educational expenses.

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Led by the California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps initiative has three goals: 

1. Create a generation of civic-minded leaders with the ability to bridge divides and solve problems.
2. Help low income students graduate college on time with less debt.
3. Address societal challenges and help build more equitable communities across California.

The Fellowship refers to the academic school year-long, 450-hour commitment and service a Fellow will complete with their assigned community partner.

We are looking for dedicated students who possess:

• A passion for collaborating with communities to effect positive change.
• A growth mindset and eagerness to embrace new challenges.
• An interest in connecting with and learning from fellow students and partners throughout the state.
• A willingness to serve as ambassadors for the fellowship program both on campus and beyond.

Students selected to join the Fellowship should meet at least (1) of the following criteria:

• Needs to work part time and/or borrow student loans to meet their educational costs
• Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
• Qualifies for a State Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship
• Is an AB-540 Eligible Dreamer

Additionally, eligible Fellows are required to:

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (i.e., GED) prior to the service term
• Be a full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at Allan Hancock College
• Complete a National Service Criminal History Check and Live Scan upon selection
• Hold a 2.0 minimum GPA and remain in good academic standing
• Commit to the program for the full 450 hours during the academic year (August-May)
• Not participating in a semester off-campus (i.e study abroad)
• Attend an in-person Fellow Orientation if selected.
• Be prepared to undergo potential interview with nonprofit organizations in Spring semester, if selected

As part of our commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as reducing educational opportunity disparities, we strongly encourage AB540 students, first-generation college students, and students with financial need to apply. Priority will be given to students with financial need, but we encourage all students interested to apply.

AB540 students are eligible! They:

• Must have a completed & submitted California Dream Act Application for the academic year
• Must be enrolled at a Cal Grant Eligible School (Hancock is!)
• Must be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the academic year (Not sure? Check with Financial Aid)
• Must have sufficient financial need (Not sure? Check with Financial Aid)

AB-540 students accepted into the program will also be required to submit a California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) CA DSIG Application by August 1, 2025, to become eligible for the educational award. (We will help you with this)

How many hours are required to complete the program?

• The majority of your hours will be spent working at your assigned site, averaging 15-20 hours per week. Remaining hours will be completed at orientation, monthly meetings, and College Corps events that occur during the academic school year. Students will also be expected to meet one-on-one with program staff, attend service projects, and engage in professional development trainings which will add towards the 450 hour fellowship. 

What if I am unable to complete the program?

• Throughout the academic school year, Fellows receive monthly payments called a living allowance. If you are unable to continue in the fellowship, your living allowance will cease and you may be ineligible to receive the education award that is granted at the conclusion of the 450 hours. 

I will be a new student to Hancock. Can I apply?

• Yes! Once you have been accepted to Hancock College and have your H#, you're welcome to apply. Please note that Fellows are accepted once a year from February-May, so please stay attentive to the application period. 

Will this impact my financial aid?

• Each student's financial aid package is different. We encourage you to connect with the Financial Aid department to make sure you understand how the $10,000 through this program will impact your specific situation. 

How do I access my Segal Education Award?

• The Education Grant is awarded upon completion of both 450 hours and the service term. The grant is available for up to 7 years after completion of the College Corps program.

• You can use the grant towards furthering your education, payment of loans, pursuit of a professional license/certification, or as a gift to a family member's education.

• For more information check out: Segal Education Award

How would our Community Host Organization benefit from College Corps?

Community organizations chosen to be a host site for student fellows will experience numerous advantages, including:

• Receiving 12-15 hours of direct support per week from Fellows throughout the academic year, spanning from August 2025 to June 2026.
• Gaining access to training and networking resources offered by Allan Hancock College and California Volunteers,
• Becoming integral members of an extensive network of community partners across the State of California dedicated to addressing the state's challenges.

What criteria should our Community Host Organization meet to participate?

Community host organizations should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Non-profit/Government organization.
• Work in one of the 3 program Focus Areas: Climate Action, Food Insecurity, or K-12 Education.
• Ability to provide fellows with effective training, mentoring, and supervision to meet the goal of 450 hours of meaningful professional work experience (12-15 hours per week).

What responsibilities will our Community Host Organization have while participating in College Corps?

Community host organizations will be tasked with the following responsibilities:

• Participate in interviews with prospective Fellows as part of our placement process.
• Attend training sessions to ensure a seamless onboarding experience for Fellows.
• Ensure that Fellows fulfill the 450-hour requirement while gaining practical skills.
• Provide support to the college in monitoring student contributions and assessing outcomes.
• Attend program events, including orientation, kick-off, and closing celebrations (specific dates to be determined).

We are currently accepting interest forms from organizations interested in becoming a Community Host Organization for Cohort 4! Fill out an interest form today!

COMMUNITY HOST ORGANIZATION INTEREST FORM