Email with Questions
collegecorps@mpc.eduCalifornia College Corps Fellowship
The California College Corps Fellowship is a paid, year-long service opportunity that allows college students to support their communities while earning money for school and gaining valuable work experience. College Corps, a statewide program, connects students with local non-profit and government organizations guided by three core goals:
- Engage college students in meaningful service opportunities that build leadership skills and civic responsibility
- Help students from diverse backgrounds graduate college on time and with less debt
- Support the work of community-based organizations focused on key local priorities (e.g., K-12 education, food insecurity, environmental stewardship, and fair access to healthcare)
College Corps Fellows complete a 450-hour service commitment during the academic year (August-May) and can earn up to $10,000 in a living allowance and educational award while making a positive impact in the community.
Ready to learn more?
Service Commitment
Most Fellows spend about 15 hours per week at their assigned community partner site. Remaining hours are earned through completion of the following requirements to meet the total 450-hour program commitment:
- Coursework
- Orientation
- Monthly Cohort Meetings
- College Corps Partner Events
- One-to-One Meetings with Faculty and Staff
- Professional Development Activities
- Other Approved Program Components
Note: If a Fellow is unable to complete the program, monthly living stipends will stop, and the Fellow may become ineligible for the education award, which is only granted after all 450 hours are completed.
Program Timeline
| March 10 | Recruitment Begins |
| May 16 | Priority Application Deadline |
| June 13 | Final Application Deadline |
| June – July | Fellowships Announced and Cohort 2026-2027 Onboarding* |
| August | Program Orientation* and Service Term Begins |
| *Selected fellows must attend pre-service onboarding and in-person orientation to participate in the program. | |
Who is Eligible?
Eligible students must:
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Have applied to Monterey Peninsula College and have an MPC ID number
- Be a full-time undergraduate student at Monterey Peninsula College (minimum 12 units) during the Fall and Spring terms, including required program coursework
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Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
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Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and remain in good academic standing
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Commit to the full academic-year service term (August-May)
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Complete a National Service Criminal History Check and Live Scan, which requires fingerprinting
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Attend an in-person Fellow Orientation if selected
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Be prepared for a potential interview with nonprofit partners
Students selected for the Fellowship typically meet at least one of the following criteria:
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Need to work part-time or borrow student loans to meet educational costs
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Qualify for a Federal Pell Grant
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Qualify for a State Cal Grant
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Are AB 540/Dreamer Student
AB 540 & Dreamer Students
AB 540 students are eligible and encouraged to apply. To qualify, students must:
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Submit a California Dream Act Application for the academic year
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Be enrolled at MPC (a Cal Grant-eligible school)
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Be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award
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Demonstrate sufficient financial need
AB 540 students accepted into the program must also submit a California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Application to receive the education award. Support will be provided to help complete this process.
Financial Aid
Financial aid applications are accepted once per year, typically from February through May. Because every student’s financial aid package is different, Fellows are encouraged to meet with the Financial Aid Office to understand how participation in College Corps may affect their individual aid.