Eligibility

• Must be enrolled at UC Berkeley as a full-time undergraduate for the entire academic year of participation
• Students cannot be incoming first year students (transfer students may be eligible)
• Must be in good academic standing for the duration of the participating academic year
• Cannot study abroad or live outside the Bay Area for either fall or spring semester
• To receive the College Corps awards (living stipends & Education award), must have at least $8,000 in unmet financial need or loans that can be replaced with our awards
• Must either be able to serve 12-15 hours per week for the full academic year OR must serve 10 yours per week for the academic year and be free to serve in-person during June and July 2026 to meet the 450 hour service requirement
• Must have received a high school diploma or GED
• Be willing to complete a National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan in order to formally enroll
  • Read details of conviction history eligibility here
• Students should demonstrate financial eligibility by being eligible for either:
  • a federal Pell grant
  • a State Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship
  • qualify as an AB-540 Dreamer
  • and/or needs to work or borrow loans to meet college costs
• AB-540 eligible applicants must:
  • have submitted a complete California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the upcoming year
  • have financial need 
  • be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the upcoming academic year OR be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A Award who is eligible for a Cal Grant B Award
  • submit a CA DSIG Application by September 1 to become eligible for the $3,000 Education Award

Expectations

• Serve 450 hours from late August 2025-July 31, 2026 through an in-person community service placement 
• Service hours will average 12-15 hours/week or 10-12 hours week with additional service in June and July, 2026
• Participate in an orientation, mid-year meeting, & a 2-hour pod every other Thursday from 6-8pm or Fridays from 12-2pm with Fellows in your issue area
• Participate in a regional service day & virtual meetings with College Corps Fellows across the state of California

Benefits

• Graduate with less debt as College Corps Fellows will receive $10,000 through:
  • a $7,000 living stipend paid monthly throughout your active service term
  • a $3,000 Education Award upon successful completion of 450 hours
• Be part of the second cohort of students in a first-of-its-kind statewide partnership addressing societal challenges and helping to build more equitable communities across California
• Serve in a community service placement focused on an issue you care about: Environmental Justice, K-12 Education, or Behavioral Health/Wellness/Housing
• Participate in training, professional development, and exposure to the skills and collaboration needed for community change
• Network with community leaders and students from across campus and the state of CA who are committed to building stronger communities
• Gain hands-on, real world experience and professional skills that will transfer to future endeavors
• Instill a sense of pride and common purpose as you work alongside fellow student leaders from across the state

What We’re Looking For

• Passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change
• Growth mindset and eagerness to try new things
• Interest in connecting with and learning from other students and partners across the state
• Willingness to be an ambassador for the Fellowship on campus and beyond

What You’ll Do

• Serve 10-15 hours/week with a local community organization or school with the option of summer service in June and July 2026
• Service will focus on either environmental justice, K-12 education, or health/wellness & housing
• You’ll share successes and challenges and will learn from your peers in biweekly pod meetings; each pod will consist of about 35 College Corps Fellows  
• You’ll have the option to register in Pod for 1-3 units 

Contact Information

For more information, please contact: collegecorps@berkeley.edu