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Stan State offers students debt-free pathway
Stan State mentor
#CaliforniansForAll College Corps will provide up to 6,500 college students over two academic years with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as K-12 education (Journal file photo).

Stanislaus State is among 45 colleges and universities in California selected to participate in a program that will help create a debt-free pathway for low-income students, including Dreamers, who commit to public service.

“California is a world leader in both higher education and service,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference last week. “The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps advances these priorities by connecting Californians of different backgrounds with enriching service opportunities throughout the state while making college more affordable for our state’s future leaders. We hope the Corps will be replicated across the nation.”

#CaliforniansForAll College Corps will provide up to 6,500 college students over two academic years with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as climate action, K-12 education, and COVID-19 recovery. Students who complete a year of service will receive $10,000 while gaining experience serving in their communities. Stanislaus State will receive $1.74 million for two cohort years, which will fund 100 fellowships through its College Service Fellows program.

“So grateful that Stan State is among California State Universities joining the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program,” said university President Ellen Junn. “We’re already one of the most service-involved campuses in the state, and this program will enable our students to contribute even more to our community.”

According to Newsom’s office, nearly 4 million Californians owe $147 billion in student debt with Black and Latino Californians facing the highest rates of default and delinquency. Supporters hope that students will take what they learned on campus and use that to serve their communities.

“The California State University students who participated in the pilot program over the past year took their world-class CSU education and translated that into on-the-ground tutoring and mentoring in their communities,” said California State University Chancellor Joseph I. Castro. “This program is an invaluable opportunity for our students to not only give back to their communities, but also to help prepare the next generation of CSU students for success. We look forward to even greater opportunities for the students selected through the inaugural year of the Corps.”