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Fellows
Learn, Serve, Work, Earn
Information for Students
Academic year 2026/2027 College Corps Fellow applications are NOW open.
Applications will be accepted until all spots are filled. We anticipate filling all spots before the program Matching Fair (in April). All successful applicants after that time will be placed on a waitlist.
Our Program Has 3 Main Goals
Create
A generation of civic-minded leaders with the ability to bridge divides and solve problems.
Aid
Low-income students in graduating college on time and with less debt.
Address
Societal challenges and help build stronger communities across California.
What You'll Do
Learn, Serve, Earn
Fellows will serve 450 hours (~15 hours/week) during the academic year within one of our focus areas.
During the process of this service, fellows will contribute to building healthier and stronger communities across California.
Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on job training, and network building with local community leaders.
Our Service Focus Areas
Fellows are placed at a local community partner site in one of these fields
Climate Action
At sites dedicated to STEM-related fields, fellows will be prepared with the knowledge to engage in environmental stewardship and management.
Food Insecurity
Access to healthy food is a basic need that goes unmet for too many people - serving at sites dedicated to supporting food security, fellows will gain experience in being part of the solution.
K-12 Education
As current college students, fellows are ideal for supporting K-12 students as mentors and tutors who can encourage them to reach their educational goals.
Fellow Profile
What We're Looking For
- Passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change;
- Flexibility to work in different areas and adapt to changing circumstances;
- 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.
About the Program
- TRACK A: Up to $7,000 Living Stipend (distributed monthly from September-May) ~ $777 monthly;
- TRACK A and TRACK B: $3,000 Education Award (upon completion of 450 hours of service) used towards tuition, future loans, and/or graduate school;
- Academic credit (if registered in AHSS 480);
- Internship credit (if registered in AHSS 480);
- Access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities;
- Connections with Fellows across the state via a virtual community platform and regional events;
- Real-world job experience and skills to add to your resume
College Corps at Cal Poly Humboldt offers service positions in local nonprofits and municipal agencies within a reasonable distance from campus. Our program works with K-12 schools, food banks and pantries, and environmental stewardship organizations. While the College Corps staff will try to place you in your top area of interest, the available positions are determined by community needs, so it’s not guaranteed.
Eligibility Criteria
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent by the start of the program
- Be a full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt or College of the Redwoods (no graduate students)
- Currently be and remain in good academic standing (minimum of 2.0 GPA)
- Study stateside for the entire academic year (No Study Abroad)
- AB-540 students are eligible
- Complete and clear a National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan
- Have the ability to commit to the program for the full academic year (August-May)
- Participate fully in mandatory orientation, training, and events for fellows
Financial requirements:
- Complete FAFSA and CADAA for the upcoming year
- Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant OR
- Qualifies for a State Cal Grant or Middle-Class Scholarship OR
- Needs to work part-time and/or borrow student loans to meet their educational costs
Set up a meeting with the Financial Aid Office to see if you are financially eligible and have room in your financial aid package.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent by the start of the program
- Be a full-time OR part-time enrolled undergraduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt or College of the Redwoods (no graduate students)
- Remain in good academic standing (minimum of 2.0 GPA)
- Study stateside for the entire academic year (No Study Abroad)
- AB-540 students are NOT eligible
- Complete and clear a National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan
- Have the ability to commit to the program for the full academic year (August-May)
- Participate fully in mandatory orientation, training, and events for fellows
Financial requirements
- There are NO financial eligibility requirements.
- FAFSA or CADAA are NOT required
- Track A receives a monthly living stipend; Track B does not.
- Track A fellows must be enrolled full-time (12 units or more); Track B fellows can be enrolled part-time (6- 11 units) or full-time (12 units or more).
- Track A fellows must have room in their financial aid package; Track B fellows do not have to have financial need.
- Only Track A accepts Dreamers.
Resources for Current Fellows
Frequently Asked Questions
Our community partners are located as far South of the campus as Fortuna, and as far North as Crescent City. For our fellows’ traveling convenience, the majority of our partners are concentrated in short proximity to the campus, in Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, and anywhere in between.
Any undergraduate student of Cal Poly Humboldt or College of the Redwoods can apply to the program. We welcome Dreamers!
Fellows may begin service as early as August 1st, but most students start the first week of classes.
Fellows must complete their service by May 31st.
There is no limit on the number of times a fellow can repeat their College Corps experience, as long as they are successful and continue to meet program requirements.
Applicants must be 18 when they begin their service.
There is no upper age limit.
Yes, fellows can count their unpaid internship, student teaching, and practicum hours towards their College Corps service hours.
Our community partners understand that you are students first and are more than willing to work around your class schedule.
The College Corps office is located at the bottom of the Cal Poly Humboldt Library, in room 28.
The Cal Poly Humboldt Center for Community-Based Learning has been awarded a grant from the California Volunteers, Office of the Governor called College Corps to support 120 Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods students to learn, serve, and earn in academic year 2025-26. The Fellows’ time and talent will help revitalize and energize our community-based organizations and advance our campus strategic priorities.