Is Community Service a Privilege You Think You Can't Afford?
Think Again!
Compensation is available for service you're already interested in doing — with local non-profit organizations you'll love!
The Grinnell College Community Service Work-Study and AmeriCorps Programs provide an opportunity for students to be compensated for their service work with a local non-profit organization. Community service work-study students and AmeriCorps ICAP members not only help with the day to day activities of their partner organizations, but also collaboratively develop and lead particular, sustainable service or social justice projects related to the organization's philosophy and scope of practice. In order to facilitate their project and help their partner organization, students in these programs are asked to identify or lead a student group of volunteers committed to the work of their partner organization or project.
The goal of both programs is to provide students with an opportunity to work collaboratively with community partners and peers to improve the quality of life for people in larger Grinnell community. Students are given the opportunity to develop the collaborative leadership skills needed to become a socially responsible and responsive members of society. They not only make a direct difference to the community themselves, but they also serve as a link between our partner organizations and the Grinnell campus by raising awareness of community needs and encouraging campus engagement now and well into the future. Our hope is that Grinnell's community service work-study students and AmeriCorps ICAP members will become part of the next generation of social justice leaders.
Please note that these are competitive programs. Many students and community partners are interested in participating. However, the number of positions that can be offered by the program is limited by the amount of money granted in any one year to the College by the federal work-study program and by AmeriCorps. Students or local organizations who apply are not guaranteed a placement.
Federal Community Service Work-Study Program
Grinnell receives funds from the federal government each year that are used as part of the College's larger campus funded work study program. A portion of the federal funds are designated each year for off-campus community service work-study. Students who participate in this program are paid an hourly wage for their work with a community partner. In order to be elegible to participate in this program, a student's financial aide package must include federal work-study. Students must also be legally able to work off-campus in the United States.
Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps ICAP Program 
Iowa Campus Compact is a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. In partnership with Campus Compact, Grinnell College's Community Service Office offers the Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program (ICAP). Students who participate in this program agree to complete at least 300 hours of service with their partner organizations over the course of a calendar year. Upon the successful completion of their service hours, ICAP member students earn an education award of over $1,000 that can be applied toward their ecucation expenses either here at Grinnell or later for grad-school. Students in this program must legally be able to work off-campus in the United States.
Student Application Process/Timeline:
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Fill out a separate online Community Service Work-Study/Americorps ICAP Application FOR EACH POSITION for which you wish to be considered. (Applications will be available on a tab above on the afternoon of Monday, September 3rd.)
- Applications are due by Monday, September 10th at 5:00pm.
- You will be contacted the week of September 17th if you have been chosen for an interview by one or more of our community partners.
- Interviews will take place the week of September 17th unless otherwise notified.
- Placement announcements will be made the week of September 24th, 2012 unless otherwise notified.
- If you are offered a position you will be asked to fill out additional paperwork and will be notified of any additional requirements required by either by your program or by your community partner (background checks, finger printing, training, record keeping, etc.)
For Partner or Potential Partner Organizations
How to Request a Community Service Work-Study Student or AmeriCorps ICAP Member
- Contact Susan Sanning (641-269-4981; sannings@grinnell.edu) to discuss the goals and parameters of the programs.
- Fill out the Community Partner Application. Note that you will be asked to fill out a personal profile for OrgSync if you have not already done so.
- Your application will be reviewed upon receipt and you will be notified if accepted and if positions are available for your site.
- Please note that you are not guaranteed a student placement. Positions will be filled on a first come first served basis and the number of positions filled will be limited by the community service work-study payroll budget, the number of ICAP positions alloted to the College by Campus Compact, as well as by student interest in your position.
- Appications must be resubmitted annually.
For more information contact:
