About Fellow Program

Becoming a College Corps Fellow

College Corps fellows are Cal Poly students who commit to a year of meaningful community service — gaining hands-on experience, building leadership skills, and making a real difference across San Luis Obispo County. In exchange for their service, fellows receive a monthly living stipend and an education award upon completing their term.

Fellows are placed with a community partner organization in one of four focus areas and serve alongside dedicated site supervisors who support them throughout the year. It's challenging, rewarding, and unlike anything else Cal Poly has to offer.

"College Corps has provided me experiences that will undoubtedly be useful in my future career. It has also given me a sense of fulfillment as I can be assured my service is going towards helping many people in my community."

— Angel Guerrero
3rd Year, Bioresource & Agricultural Engineering Major

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Fellowship Requirements

Hours 450 hours is the requirement for the service term. It's a significant commitment, but with proactive time management and the support of your site supervisor and College Corps staff, you can absolutely do it. Fellows are encouraged to serve a minimum of 15 hours per week. This may look different quarter by quarter — you'll connect with your site supervisor each quarter to plan your schedule.     Enrollment You must be a full-time student each quarter to remain eligible for the program. Students in blended master's programs are not eligible for College Corps.     Course Requirement As a College Corps fellow, you will be enrolled in a 1-unit course each quarter as part of your fellowship experience.

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Financial Benefits

Monthly Living Stipend Fellows receive a monthly living stipend dispersed through financial aid via direct deposit (if set up) or check. The stipend is designed to support fellows in balancing service with the cost of student life. Note: The living stipend is considered taxable income. Speak with a tax professional and the financial aid office to learn more.

Education Award After completing 450 hours and finishing your service term, you'll receive a $10,000 education award. This can be applied toward tuition, student loans, a future degree, a professional license or certification, or gifted to a family member's education. Note: The education award is considered taxable income.

The College Corps program works in conjunction with your financial aid package, but you do not need to qualify for financial aid to be eligible. If accepted, you will work closely with a financial aid advisor to understand how the program affects your package.

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A Day in the Life

A day in the life of a College Corps fellow varies depending on your site assignment. No two days — or sites — are exactly the same. Some examples include: Leading after-school sports programs for K–12 students Gardening and tending farm animals Stocking and organizing food pantry supplies Tabling and promoting sustainability projects Designing marketing materials for a nonprofit Supporting community health outreach events And so much more! Think of your fellowship as a part-time job with scheduled shifts you commit to each week. Your site relies on your presence and contribution — and that consistency is what makes the impact real.

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Academic Credit

Senior Projects

Have a senior project coming up? Talk to your professor about aligning it with your service site's needs. Past fellows have completed senior projects on topics like sustainable medical waste management, strategic business models for climate action nonprofits, and more. It's a great way to connect your academics with your community work.

Internship Credit

Fellows in the past have been able to earn internship credit for their fellowship hours. Work with your academic advisor to explore whether this option is available in your major.

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Transportation

You don't need a car to be eligible for College Corps. However, please take transportation needs into consideration when ranking your site preferences. College Corps utilizes various means of transportation for fellows and will work with you to find the best plan for your situation.

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Can Current Fellows Re-Apply?

Yes! Current College Corps fellows are welcome to reapply as long as they meet two requirements: they are enrolled as full-time students for the entire academic year in good academic standing, and they are in good standing with the College Corps program.

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Apply for 2026–2027

Ready to take the leap? Fill out the interest form to get early access to the 2026–2027 College Corps application.

→ Fill Out our Application

Questions? Contact us at collegecorps@calpoly.edu — we're happy to help.