UC Merced Cohort Experience

All Fellows who complete their 450-hour term of service will receive a total maximum financial benefit of $10,000 paid in the form of a living allowance during service, plus an educational award upon completion of required service hours.

Ensuring that Fellows from the UC Merced Cohort feel a shared sense of identity and a common sense of purpose is a priority for the College Corps Program. It aims to promote the following priority outcomes through the Cohort experience.

To advance these outcomes, UC Merced College Corps Program will offer Fellows the opportunity to participate in the following activities and events:

• Lunch & Learn Lesson Workshops are designed to enhance skills and share knowledge in an informal setting, fostering networking and collaboration. Held during lunch hours, these workshops fit easily into busy schedules, offering an engaging, interactive learning experience that's less formal than traditional training. They also provide a beneficial break from routine, promoting overall well-being, while keeping participants updated on relevant topics. Additionally, they are a cost-effective and low-disruption way to support continuous learning and growth.
• PODS (Peers of Development & Support) are designed to facilitate mutual growth and support among individuals within the program. It provides a structured environment where peers can share experiences, offer feedback, and support each other's development. The primary goals include fostering a collaborative learning culture, enhancing personal and professional growth through peer interactions, and building a supportive network that helps individuals navigate challenges and acheve their goals. By promoting open communication and collective problem-solving, PODS contribute to a more engaged and cohesive community.
• A Personal Learning Plan: One of California Volunteers initative goals consist of the following: strives to create a generation of civic-minded leaders with the ability to bridge divides and solve. In pursuit of this goal, UC Merced College Corps has implemented a Personal Learning Plan for fellows to create goals with their community host site supervisor. The intent being that with guidance and mentorship, fellows will develop skills, knowledge and values necessary for creating community change work and strengthening civic leadership. Community Host Site Partners may use the personal learning plan as a resource tool for regular check ins.
• Participating in National Days of Service Events enhances civic engagement by encouraging fellows to actively contribute to community service and address pressing social issues. These events offer hands-on experience, improve understanding of community needs, and develop skills like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. They also help fellows build connections with other community members and organizations, strengthening their network and impact. Overall, this requirement aligns with the program's mission to promote active citizenship and personal growth, ensuring that fellows make meaningful contributions to their communities while gaining enriching experiences.

Statewide Cohort Experience

Ensuring that Fellows from across the state feel a shared sense of identity and a common purpose is a priority for the College Corps Program. This Program aims to promote the following priority outcomes through the Statewide Cohort Experience:

• Solidarity: Fellows feel connected to each other across diverse backgrounds and geographies and connected to California Volunteers.
• Bridging: Fellows learn leadership and cross-cultural collaboration skills that help them bridge divides and navigate differences to solve problems.
• Inspiration: Fellows are inspired to pursue a lifetime of service through connections with a network of state and local leaders.

To advance these outcomes, California Volunteers will offer Fellows the opportunity to participate in the following activities and events:

• Statewide Launch & Swearing-In Celebration brings together all California Service Corps members, from across the state for an energetic kick-off to their service experience.
• Fellow Ambassador Program will engage at least two Fellows from each partner campus to receive additional training that will help them serve as spokesperson for College Corps on their campus and beyond.
• Mid-Year Leadership Workshops bring regional cohorts of Fellows together, in-person to build relationships, learn new skills, and share what they are learning through their own service experience.
• California Service Corps Regional Service Days will offer College Corps Fellows the opportunity to gain service hours serving side by side with other California Service Corps members.
• End-of-Year Ceremony will celebrate the end of a transformative year and recognize California Service Corps members statewide for their accomplishments.

General Eligibility

To apply, students should meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at a College Corps partner campus
• Has a high school diploma or its equivalent by start of program
• Has a high school diploma or its equivalent by start of program
• Must currently be and remain in good academic standing
• Ability to commit to the program for the full academic year

Financial Need

Eligible students should meet at least one of the following four criteria:

• Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
• Qualifies for State Cal Grant
• Qualifies for Middle Class Scholarship

Introduction to Our Service and Community Impact

UC Merced College Corps is devoted to creating meaningful connections with our community through partnerships with nonprofit and governmental organizations. Our fellows play a vital role in addressing California's most pressing challenges, contributing to initiatives that uplift both students and their communities. By fostering responsible civic engagement, we strive to meet critical needs in four primary focus areas identified by California Volunteers:

• K-12 Education
• Food Security
• Climate Action
• Public Health

Explore the Cohort 3 Community Host Partners page to learn about the exciting host sites where Fellows serve within the Merced community!

Service Placement Guidelines

Community Host Partners play an important role in mentoring Fellows, ensuring they are doing meaningful work, and gaining practical job skills. California Volunteers shared the following guidelines with Partner Campuses and Community Host Partners.

College Corps Fellows must:

• Serve primarily with one Community Host Partner throughout their term of service
• Spend the majority of service hours engaging directly with beneficiaries in the community, not conducting desk research or performing administrative tasks
• Conduct service directly aligned with their program's stated focus area(s) and performance measures
• Accurately log service and training hours in America Learns (an online timesheet system) on a daily or weekly basis

The College Corps Program is a statewide initiative aimed at engaging college students in community service while addressing critical issues such as K-12 Education, Climate Action, Food Insecurity, and Public Health. It helps students gain professional experience, contribute to meaningful causes, and reduce financial burdens.

Eligibility requirements typically include:

• Enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at a participating California College or University.
• A commitment to completing the program's service hour requirements.
• Being in good academic standing at your institution.

Each participating campus may have additional eligibility criteria, so it's good to check directly with them.

Service opportunities are designed around four main focus areas:

• K-12 Education: Tutoring, mentoring, or supporting students in under-resourced schools.
• Climate Action: Working on environmental sustainability projects, conservation, and community resilience.
• Food Insecurity: Assisting in food distribution programs or supporting organizations tackling hunger issues.
• Public Health: Supporting health education, outreach, and initiatives to promote wellness and address health disparities in the community.

Fellows are generally required to complete 450 hours of service over the course of an academic year starting August and ending June, which averages around 15 hours per week with a minimum of 12 hours a week.

Participants receive several benefits, including:

• A $10,000 stipend, distributed in installments over the academic year.
• A $3,000 education award upon completion, which can be used for tuition, student loans, or other education-related expenses.
• Hands-on experience in public service and professional development opportunities.
• The chance to build networks and gain valuable skills for future careers.

Please submit our 2025-26 Cohort 4 interest form that is at the top of this page if you are interested in applying for the College Corps Program!

We do require students to attend Info Sessions as well as meet with our College Corps team during the Spring semester as a pre-requisite to applying!

To stay informed on current updates please continue to visit our College Corps website and follow us on Instagram @ucmcollegecorps!

Fellows in the College Corps Program typically receive:

• Pre-Service Training: This may include workshops on community engagement, cultural competency, and leadership development.
• Ongoing Support Site supervisors, prgram coordinators, and peer mentors are available to guide Fellows throughout their service.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Some programs offer skill-building seminars or access to career networks to help participants grow personally and professionally.

Partner organizations are typically nonprofits, schools, or government agencies focused on addressing community needs. Common areas include:

• K-12 Education: Supporting youth through tutoring, mentoring, or enrichment programs.
• Food Insecurity: Working with food banks, pantries, or meal delivery programs.
• Climate Action: Partnering with environmental groups on sustainability and conservation projects.
• Public Health: Collaborating with health organizations to provide education, outreach, or services that promote community well-being.

Each campus may have partnerships that align with its region's unique priorities.

Yes, many Fellows balance the program with part-time jobs, classes, or other responsibilities. However:

• You must commit to completing the 450 service hours over the program year.
• Some flexibility is required, as service hours often depend on the needs of your assigned partner organization.

Be sure to discuss your schedule with program coordinators to ensure you can manage the commitment.

There are different transportation options available for Fellows to get to their sites:

Fellows can carpool with other Fellows either with an indivudually owned vehicle or a UC Merced reserved vehicle through TAPS.

• Preferred Option: College Corps Van system with regular routes and drivers
• Second Option: If for some reason the Van ride system does not work for a Fellows schedule, and they have access to their own vehicle, they can drive themselves, or carpool with other Fellows.

Fellows can carpool with other Fellows either with an individually owned vehicle or a UC Merced reserved vehicle through TAPS.

Due to program funding and state grant policies, Fellows who drive or take public forms of transportation cannout be directly reimbursed for mileage OR be reimbursed for direct transit receipts. The program will work with students who identify they must drive on their own and a monthly stipend will be agreed upon and disbursed to provide support to cover transportation costs.

• Third Option: Public Transportation (Cat Tracks) is the final, but least encouraged option, due to lack of availability in Merced County

Uber and Lyft cannot be directly reimbursed, therefore is not encouraged as a transportation option