Bill > A2459

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a scholarship program for students at public institutions of higher education, and a grant program for public institutions of higher education, to promote opportunities to perform community service. Under the bill, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), in consultation with the Office of Volunteerism in the Department of State, will administer a two-year scholarship program for students at public institutions of higher education pursuing opportunities to perform community service. The program will provide undergraduate students with opportunities to serve in their communities, and address the critical shortage of community service-oriented professionals in those fields of service by:· making college more affordable for students who commit to serving in their communities;· supporting the education and career development of students pursuing a community service-oriented career in the fields of climate action, K-12 education, and food insecurity; and· increasing the workforce and retention of community service-oriented professionals in the fields of climate action, K-12 education, and food insecurity. Under the program, HESAA will award scholarships in the amount of $10,000 to each program participant. Under the bill, $9 million will be appropriated to HESAA for the purposes of awarding scholarships. The bill also requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Office of Volunteerism, to establish a two-year Community Service Grant Program. The program will provide grants to public institutions of higher education to:· establish partnerships between the institutions and community-based service organizations that specialize in providing services in the fields of climate action, K-12 education, or food insecurity; and· provide undergraduate students with opportunities to serve in their communities, particularly in the fields of climate action, K-12 education, and food insecurity, to so they can earn scholarships. Under the bill, an application is required to include information concerning the institution's proposed program, including its plan to:· partner with specific community-based service organizations that specialize in providing services in the fields of climate action, K-12 education, or food insecurity;· promote the ideals and benefits of community-based service, and inform students of opportunities to serve in their communities while earning a scholarship for their service;· provide program participants with academic credit for their participation in the program;· ensure program participants attain real-world knowledge and experience in their field of service while serving with the partner community-based service organizations; and · provide program participants with access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities during, and upon completion of, their service. The secretary, in consultation with the office, will select 10 public institutions of higher education to participate in the program. The secretary will award a grant in the amount of $100,000 to each grant recipient. Under the bill, $1 million will be appropriated to the secretary for the purposes of this act.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Tennille McCoy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document