California offers college students $10K for public service – Orange County Register

By JOCELYN GECKER

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that 45 California colleges and universities, including some of the most prestigious in the state, will be part of a new public service program that will subsidize tuition for students. students who serve the community alongside their studies.

The program called “California For All College Corps” will begin in the fall semester of 2022 with 6,500 students deployed to work part-time in areas of pressing need such as K-education gap 12, climate change and food insecurity, Newsom said at a news conference with leaders of the state’s public university and community college systems.

In exchange for 450 hours of service, each student will receive $10,000 for their studies and possibly academic credit for their work.

Seven of the 10 University of California campuses will participate in the program by 2022, including UC Berkeley and UCLA, along with 16 of the 23 California State University campuses and more than two dozen private and community colleges. . A $146 million cost was approved as part of last year’s state budget.

College Corps draws inspiration from national service programs that already help participants pay for their education, like AmeriCorps and the GI bill, said Josh Fryday, state service director and new program lead for the College Corps. know.

“We’re making this clear in California, like with the GI bill, if you’re willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we’ll help you pay for college,” Fryday said.

The program’s website outlines a competitive application process for the program, which it says will focus on admitting low-income students and “dreamers” – students brought to the United States by their parents. Illegal States – people who are eligible for the program under California law that allows noncitizens to have access to in-state tuition if they graduated from a California high school and meet the other criteria.

University of California President Michael V. Drake praised the program as a way to help thousands of students pay for college and reduce debt.

“California has always been and should be a place where education makes dreams come true, where people from all backgrounds and walks of life can succeed. Where we use our talents to make the world a better place,” said Drake.

California State University President Joseph I. Castro said that allowing students who are living in the country illegally to qualify is a “very, very important” factor.

“This historic investment will help mitigate the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on both students and the community,” he said.

Newsom said if the program is successful, it could be expanded to include more students, and replicated outside of California.

In this divisive age, the concept of public service and dedication to a larger community can help unify people, Newsom said.

“We have lost connection with others. Newsom said. “If I could decide the future of this country, I would ask all of us to have some mandatory service and share experiences.”