At the top of the year, California launched the largest state investment in college service, according to an opportunity program based in the Office of the Governor. Over two academic years, the Californians For All College Corps will provide more than 6,500 students with service opportunities in climate action, K-12 education, and COVID-19 recovery, California Volunteers said.
Students who complete a year of service will receive $10,000 while gaining experience in their communities. The program also creates state-funded opportunities for eligible Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAMers) to serve their communities.
“California is a world leader in both higher education and service,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom at the event where 45 colleges and universities were announced as the inaugural partners for the college opportunity program. “The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps advances these priorities by connecting Californians of different backgrounds with enriching service opportunities throughout the state while making college more affordable for our state’s future leaders. We hope the Corps will be replicated across the nation.”
The campuses represent University of California, California State University, community college and private university systems. The full list of schools can be found here.
“Today is a historic day in California. The Governor, alongside the leaders of the world’s top higher education systems, offered a monumental proposal to the next generation of Californians— if you step up to serve your community, we’ll help you pay for college,” said Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer and the head of California Volunteers.
Gov. Newsom has prioritized the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps as part of an effort to lead the nation in service-centered paths, relieving the debt burden on our recent graduates while moving the state forward with service-focused careers. Four million Californians owe $147 billion in student debt with Black and Latino Californians facing the highest rates of default and delinquency.
Also in attendance were University of California President Michael V. Drake, who stressed the importance of “providing more pathways to a debt-free degree while empowering students to pursue service-oriented career paths.”
California State University Chancellor Joseph I. Castro said the California State University students who participated in the pilot program over the past year translated that into on-the-ground tutoring and mentoring in their communities.
California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said community college partnerships selected in the inaugural group of grantees include deploying students to feed those who rely on food banks.
“Our colleges and universities have also historically prioritized service to the communities their students live and learn in.We are proud to have participated in the pilot program over the past year and are honored to continue with our members as partner campuses and direct grantees in this inaugural year,” said Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Kristen Soares.
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