Student volunteer scholarships available
This archived article was written by: Christine Olsen
The SUN Involvement Center offers lots of opportunities for students to perform service in a broad range of projects. Students can be involved with everything from helping Habitat for Humanity build a home for a needy family, to reading to children, to helping the BLM manage hunter information stops. The SUN Center has many other programs and services for students. One of these is the Americorps UCAN Serve Educational Award. This is a national-service program initiated by former President Bill Clinton. Americorps provides thousands of Americans of all ages with scholarships for performing community service.
Americorps members enter into a one-year term of service in which they complete the required service hours. The service can be done anywhere but first must be approved through Kathy Murray, CEU SUN Center director. There are three terms of service available: 300 hours for $1,000, 450 hours for $1,250 or 900 hours for $2,363.
After the one-year term is completed, students receive the money in the form of a voucher which can be used to pay for any costs associated with attending school. This includes, but is not limited to, books, student fees, tuition, housing, meal plans and student loan payments. The money can be drawn out in increments and also can be saved for up to seven years and used at anytime. Kim Jenks, a former Americorps member and student, says, “I like the program because it initiates students to help themselves through helping others.”
CEU has been awarded 45 slots and they are filling up fast. To be eligible for the program you must be a U.S. citizen, 17 or older and have a high school diploma or GED. To enroll students must attend a 30-minute orientation held by appointment. To find out more or to set up an orientation time call the SUN Center at 613-5624.