#CaliforniansForAll College Corps is a statewide service and career development program that provides students with financial support and professional experience. Fellows are paired with community-based organizations that focus on pressing issues in K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity in Los Angeles while also learning key skills that will advance their own academic and career success.
College Corps has three goals
- Engage college students in meaningful service opportunities that build leadership skills and civic responsibility.
- Help students from diverse backgrounds graduate college on time and with less debt.
- Support the work of community-based organizations focused on key local priorities.
We invite students to make community service a core part of their college experience.
- A living allowance paid monthly throughout service term, plus an Education Award paid upon completion of 450 service hours. Total financial benefit up to $10,000.
- Real-world job experience and skills to add to your resume
- Access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities
- Connections with Fellows across the state via a virtual community platform and in-person regional events
- A sense of pride and accomplishment in working toward a common purpose alongside young leaders from across the state
Fellows will serve for at least 450 service hours (about 15 hours per week) through the duration of the program year at K-12 schools, food banks/pantries, or climate action organizations to build healthier and more equitable communities across California. They will do this in a variety of ways:
- K-12 Education: Partner with local school districts to provide tutoring and mentoring services to school-aged students.
- Climate Action: Partner with local organizations to promote sustainability, energy conservation, environmental education/justice, etc.
- Food Insecurity: Partner with local organizations to provide food/nutrition support and promote awareness of food insecurity across the community.
Fellows will also participate in regularly scheduled development workshops, including a combination of mentorship and coaching, skill-building workshops, and peer learning and exchange that aim for personal and professional growth.
To participate in College Corps, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at a Cal State LA for the entire 2024-2025 academic year
- Ability to commit to the program for the full academic year (12-15 hours per week)
- Must be a US Citizen, US National, legal permanent resident, or AB 540 CA Dream Act student
Financial Need: This program is designed to support low- to moderate-income students. Students selected to join the Fellowship must need to work at least part-time and/or borrow student loans to meet their educational costs, and should meet at least one (1) of the following three priority criteria for the 2023-24 academic year:
- Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
- Qualifies for a State Cal Grant or Middle-Class Scholarship
- Is AB-540 Eligible
- Must have a completed & submitted California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for 2024-2025 academic year.
- Must be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the 2024-2025 academic year OR be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A Award who is also Cal Grant B eligible
If you haven't already done so and are considering applying to serve as a College Corps fellow, please ensure that you complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application before the FAFSA/CADAA deadline of April 2, 2024.
We are looking for fellows that express:
- Passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change;
- Flexibility to work in different areas and adapt to changing circumstances;
- Growth mindset and eagerness to try new things;
- Interest in connecting with and learning from other students and partners across the state;
- Willingness to be an ambassador for the Fellowship on campus and beyond.
College Corps at Cal State LA is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cohort. Continuing undergraduate students, incoming first-year students, and transfer students may apply.
For best consideration, apply by the deadline: May 31, 2024. Current Cal State LA College Corps Fellows interested in applying to return for another service year should apply before May 1, 2024.
For any questions regarding the application, please feel free to contact [email protected]
Learn More About Our Current Community Partner Organizations
Get hands-on experience in your field, network with community leaders, and serve the needs of your community in K-12 education, food insecurity, and climate action through one of our many community partners throughout the Los Angeles Region!
Are you affiliated with a local nonprofit organization or government agency that would be interested in hosting two or more fellows for the academic year? Community host partners will ultimately be selected based on alignment with program design and priorities.
If you would like to explore a future collaboration, please fill out an Interest Form below.
Contact
For all inquiries about College Corps at Cal State LA, please email [email protected].
You can also contact us on Instagram @CalStateLACollegeCorps
For inquiries about the statewide #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Program visit: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/californiansforall-college-corps.