If you have a desire to do good and make a difference, you can get hands-on experience and serve your community through paid public service with the Empire State Service Corps.
Selected SUNY students engage in paid public service work for 300 hours over the course of an academic year. Selected students are placed in a cohort aligned with their interest areas and will serve at either an on-campus or community-based host site. This opportunity allows New York State students to be paid for meaningful work that can provide lifelong skills as well create lasting impacts in their community.
When my administration launched this program less than a year ago, I knew it would be a powerful force for good—helping students like you gain valuable experience while addressing real needs in our communities, in your communities. I understand on a personal level the profound impact these opportunities can have for people setting out to find their passions. You are turning that vision into reality every day, showing what’s possible when we come together to serve.
― Governor Kathy Hochul
The Empire State Service Corps will focus on different types of work on campus or in the community and is open to all active SUNY undergraduate or graduate students to apply. When completing the application, students will be able to choose which of the 6 cohorts they are interested in and which corresponding impact areas they prefer working in for their service term.
Advance democratic participation through nonpartisan voter outreach, voter registration and engaging campus peers in voter activity.
Promote respectful dialogue and understanding by facilitating conversations that encourage critical thinking and constructive engagement.
Students will serve either in local communities (local high schools) or work on campus to support students with completing the FAFSA or on various other FAFSA completion aligned initiatives.
Increase financial literacy by assisting with aid awareness, outreach, and informed decision-making about college affordability. Assist with additional financial aid forms, such as TAP.
Students will serve in campus roles or off-campus with local nonprofits / State agencies or other organizations focused on sustainability work (such as recycling campaigns, tree planting, pollinator gardens, sustainability outreach, building sustainable civic habits, etc.)
Advance long-term climate initiatives through research, education, and resilience-building that supports healthier communities (e.g. supporting local municipalities, climate-focused campus initiatives, climate outreach campaigns, etc.)
Support early learning environments and school readiness, helping children build strong foundations for future learning. (For example, daycare or head start centers)
Students will partner with local school districts for tutoring sessions on a regular basis to support recovery from pandemic era learning loss.
Students will work with secondary education level students (MS or HS) to combat common challenges external to academics (socio-emotional learning, combating chronic absenteeism, mentoring, etc.). Alternatively, this corps can also be aligned to other relevant on-campus offices or community-based sites.
Students will serve on or off campus supporting students / individuals with SNAP outreach as well as basic needs support (could include shifts at campus food pantry) or with other food insecurity aligned work.
Promote independence and quality of life for aging populations and individuals with alternative abilities.
Support reentry and stability by connecting justice-impacted individuals to resources, opportunities, and community networks.
Students will be trained to serve as a peer mental health educator, supporting peers either on- or off-campus with building strong mental health practices and overall wellness initiatives. Promote well-being by expanding access to mental health resources, prevention efforts, and supportive services.
Connect veterans to critical resources while supporting successful transitions to academic, civilian, and community life.
Strengthen support networks for military families through outreach, resource connection, and responsive services.
Students will complete 300 hours over the service period from approximately September 1, 2026 - May 15, 2027
Each campus has a staff member designated as the Campus Coordinator. The Campus Coordinator will review student applications and based on the selected students identified cohort preferences will match students with an available host site either on-campus or off-campus. Coordinators will take transportation factors into consideration when making placement decisions.
All 26-27 Empire State Service Corps members who meet AmeriCorps program eligibility criteria will be expected to apply for AmeriCorps as a component of their Empire State Service Corps Membership. These Empire State Service Corps/AmeriCorps enrolled corps members will earn additional benefits for being AmeriCorps members and can earn an education award of up to $1,400 disbursed upon completion of their 300 hours from AmeriCorps (in addition to their Empire State Service Corps wages).