California's College Corps program is giving college students across the state the chance to earn up to $10,000 while doing meaningful work in their communities — and demand for spots is far outpacing supply.

According to CalMatters, the program launched in 2022 as part of California Service Corps, a statewide initiative that places students in community-based organizations focused on three areas: K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity. Since its launch, College Corps has recruited more than 3,000 students per academic year — but only 30% of applicants actually land a spot.

Josh Fryday, director of California Service Corps, said the program has shown up when it matters most. Fellows helped food banks during last year's federal government shutdown and supported communities after the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025.

"When the government shut down and there was a huge shortage or huge demand at the food bank and they needed support, it was our College Corps members that got deployed," Fryday said. "Same thing after the fires."

Students serve 15 hours a week for 30 weeks, earning monthly stipends that add up to $7,000 over the academic year. Fellows who complete 450 total service hours receive an additional $3,000 educational award — bringing the total to $10,000.

To qualify, students must be full-time undergraduates in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. The program is open to students at 45 participating campuses, including eight University of California schools, 17 California State Universities, 23 community colleges, and four private colleges.

ACollege Corps is also one of the few paid programs available to students without permanent legal status. AB 540, a California law, allows eligible students without legal status to qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid — and those students can participate in College Corps. According to the Higher Education Immigration Portal, California has about 100,000 immigrant students without permanent legal status who don't qualify for federal work-study programs.

One of those students is Rafael, a College Corps fellow who came from Mexico to the United States at 14. He asked that his full name not be used due to concerns about his immigration status.

"For undocumented students, there are not a lot of things that you can apply to be part of," Rafael said. "So that was also kind of like my only opportunity."

Rafael, an English major, is currently helping a local history museum develop an audio tour guide in both English and Spanish — work he finds deeply personal.

"It was really touching because my first language is Spanish and I remember having a hard time learning a lot of things," he said. "I have been in that position. I know how it feels."

Fryday said opening the program to Dreamers was a priority. "We've had unbelievable success stories of AB 540 students… having this program change their lives and giving them opportunities that they, quite frankly, have been excluded from for far too long," he said.

For Lori Dominguez, a biology major at Cal State Bakersfield, College Corps has been the difference between staying in school and dropping out. She stepped away from her library job to care for her mother after surgery, leaving her without income.

"I have loans for my education, and, like, I'm broke, and I barely have job experience," Dominguez said.

She now serves with Habitat for Humanity ReStore, processing donated items like clothing, toys, and furniture. The program's flexible scheduling lets her make up missed hours at different work sites while she works toward her goal of becoming a clinical lab scientist.

Djuane "DJ" Nunley, a senior at UC Berkeley, has been with College Corps since its pilot year. He joined at College of the Desert in Coachella Valley before transferring to UC Berkeley, bringing his wife Lynn and their eight kids — ranging in age from three to 16.

"[College Corps] helped us out a big deal… We have a lot of children and raising kids is not easy. And financially, it's a lot on us," Nunley said.

Nunley now tutors incarcerated youth at Alameda County Juvenile Hall through UC Berkeley's Incarceration to College program. The experience has shifted his entire career path. He's now double-majoring in psychology and social welfare and plans to open a nonprofit in Coachella Valley to serve kids from underrepresented communities.

"Once I became a part of College Corps, my perspective in life changed, like I had a great epiphany… I realized how my words could actually uplift," he said.

The state allocated $83.6 million to College Corps for 2026-27, along with a one-time $5 million boost this academic year to help grow the program. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office budget overview, the intent is to make the $84 million annual investment permanent starting in 2026-27.

The program plans to expand from 45 to 52 campuses and recruit about 4,000 students for the next cohort. New partner sites will include Cal State Northridge, Monterey Peninsula College, and UC Santa Barbara.

Katrina Gilmore, director of College Corps at Cal State Bakersfield, said the program builds more than just résumés.

"We have students from all different backgrounds and our students are also getting different perspectives of diversity and empathy and learning how to see how other people live in their community," Gilmore said.

Students interested in applying can learn more and find eligibility requirements at the California Volunteers College Corps website.

Gary and Shannon

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