CaliforniansForAll College Corps Funds Degrees through Community Service
- BY Cal State East Bay
- PHOTOGRAPHY BY California Volunteers
- May 10, 2022
Cal State East Bay Interim Provost Kim Greer joined California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday and other campus officials from San Francisco Bay Area and coastal colleges to promote a new state-funded fellowship, #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program – which aims to support low-income and AB 540 Dreamer students.
Cal State East Bay is one of 48 California colleges selected to participate in the program out of 235 campuses across the state. San Francisco State, CSU Monterey Bay and San Jose State are also participating in the program.
“Service learning is a hallmark of Cal State East Bay’s undergraduate programs, and the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps will support the infrastructure to further relationships with regional partners such as food banks, libraries, school districts, crisis centers and other community-based organizations,” said President Cathy Sandeen. “This award will let us take this outreach to the next level as the paid fellowship equalizes the opportunity for students of all backgrounds to participate.”
Once a student is accepted into the program they must complete 450 hours of community service between August 2022 and May 2023. After completion, they will be awarded a $7,000 stipend and then receive an additional $3,000.
“Students are graduating with crippling debt,” said Fryday. “This service and career development program helps create a debt-free college pathway while promoting service. If you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college. This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community.”
Once a student is accepted into the program they must complete 450 hours of community service between August 2022 and May 2023. After completion, they will be awarded a $7,000 stipend and then receive an additional $3,000.
Over the next two years, College Corps will engage 6,500 California undergraduates in service — roughly the size of the entire Peace Corps. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better.
Applications opened April 1, 2022. Students can learn more and apply by visiting .cacollegecorps.com or Cal State East Bay’s Center for Community Engagement.