Last October, the governor of California, Gavin NewsomThe first class of #CaliforniansForAll scholarship recipients, comprised of more than 3,200 students who have committed to serving communities across the state while earning money to pay for college, was sworn in.
Joined by California Services Director Josh Fryday and higher education leaders, Governor Newsom said, "The #CaliforniansForAll campus corps demonstrates that you don't have to be something to do something."
"Leadership can be found anywhere, and this program creates a new pathway for students of all backgrounds to make a real impact in our communities while earning money for college. I am honored and proud to join these young leaders today and look forward to what they will accomplish on this journey," Newsom stressed.
This first-of-its-kind initiative gives college students at 46 California colleges and universities the opportunity to earn $10,000 for committing to a year of service focused on three key issue areas for the state: K-12 education, climate action and food insecurity.
"In California, if you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we will help you pay for college. This is a win-win: help pay for college, gain valuable work experience and have a meaningful impact on the community," said Josh Fryday, California's director of services.
In this first cohort, more than two-thirds of the grantees are Pell-eligible and 64 percent are first-generation college students. AB 540 CA Dream Act students are also eligible for college support through this program.
Approximately 13,000 students over the next four years will participate in a year of service, equivalent to six million hours.
College Corps grantees will be placed in more than 600 community partner organizations across the state, where those focused on K-12 will tutor or mentor public school students directly in classrooms in school districts across the state, while others will support after-school programs run by nonprofit organizations.
Fellows addressing food insecurity will be placed in numerous food banks, in addition to being part of food pantries on their own college campus; while climate action-focused fellows will plant trees, assist in wildfire mitigation work, and support a variety of environmental education and outreach efforts.
The #CaliforniansForAll University Corps is funded primarily through the California Comeback Plan and will support 3,250 students in the first year of this program.
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