Agricultural management junior Angel Guerrero joined College Corps last year and currently volunteers at City Farm SLO.
“Whatever work I’m doing, whatever project I’m helping with, it is not just for the benefit of myself or the person that’s in charge of me, but it’s for the benefit of a bigger community,” Guerrero said.
College Corps at Cal Poly received a $6.9 million grant award from California Volunteers, a state office under the governor, for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year, bringing their total funding over the last three years to $20 million. The new grant ensures the program continues through the 2028-2029 academic year.
College Corps provides fellowships to hundreds of students, providing opportunities to work as a volunteer in K-12 education, climate action and food insecurity. The service-driven program is designed to promote academic success and economic security within a diverse student pool.
“When they are out serving at their organization or when they are talking about the work they do out in the community, they are really so passionate,” Sarah Hegg, assistant director of College Corps at Cal Poly, said. “They are really learning to be leaders.”
All participants receive a $7,000 living stipend, with an additional $3,000 granted upon completion of 450 service hours.
“As someone who doesn’t really get the best financial aid, being able to receive that monthly stipend and the end of year scholarship really makes it a whole lot easier to stick to pursuing this higher education,” Guerrero said.
The College Corps Program also provides an opportunity for undocumented students to have a job on or around campus, according to Guerrero.
There are currently 360 participants in the 2025-2026 consortium, with 468 full-time students expected to participate next year, according to the Cal Poly website. Of that total, Cal Poly currently represents 196 students, with 220 expected next year as they add 25 new slots. These additions will focus on a new psychology and child development track for students doing their internships in local communities, according to Hegg.
College Corps started the #CaliforniansForAll program in 2022. Cal Poly serves as the lead institution for the Coastal California College Corps Consortium, which also includes CSU Long Beach, Cuesta College, and Allan Hancock College, alongside new additions of UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach City College. In total, there are over 50 colleges in California offering the program to students.
As the consortium leader, Cal Poly is responsible for managing grant funds, tracking cross-campus spending, reporting on program work and community impact, according to Hegg.
Towards the middle of the 2028-2029 fellowship, Cal Poly plans to reapply for a new grant through California Volunteers. Approval is dependent on what the state budget looks like at that time, according to Hegg.
Applications are currently open for all Cal Poly students, with the Priority Deadline for the2026-2027 College Corps fellowship on March 15.