Service Starts At Home Act
The Service Starts At Home Act would authorize new federal grant and scholarship programs administered by the Department of Education to boost student involvement in local government and volunteer service. The bill creates two main tracks: (1) grants to eligible entities (states or local government units) to fund paid internships for high school students and undergraduates in local government, with requirements to provide educational value and accommodations (e.g., flexible schedules, telework where feasible); and (2) a scholarship program (and a federal supplemental program) to reward and fund volunteer service, administered through states and with a separate federal pool. Funding is set at $50 million annually for internships (2026-2030) and $100 million annually for scholarships (2026-2030). The act also directs a program to recognize schools and higher-ed institutions for overall volunteer achievement and defines key terms for implementation. In essence, the bill aims to foster civic engagement by linking paid local government internships with education and by rewarding volunteer service with scholarships, funded at the federal level and administered through states and local entities. It also emphasizes accessibility and flexibility for interns with childcare and transportation needs and uses existing education program definitions to guide implementation.
Key Points
- 1Grants for Local Government Internships: The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to eligible entities (states or units of local government) to create paid internships in local government for secondary students and undergraduates within the state. The program requires identifying opportunities, selecting students, setting pay/terms, and covering internship costs, with accommodations such as flexible schedules or telework as practicable.
- 2Educational Value and Accommodations: Internships must have educational value and meet educational standards, with efforts to provide accommodations for childcare, transportation, and other barriers to participation.
- 3Scholarship for Volunteer Service Programs: States receive allocations to administer scholarships for students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service, with a parallel federal program (up to 20% of funds) for supplementary scholarships. Scholarships are for attendance costs at higher education institutions and have a multi-year duration with a tiered amount based on hours volunteered.
- 4Allocation and Eligibility Rules: State allocations are determined by the number of students enrolled in public K-12 in the state relative to total enrollment across approved states. Students can apply through their state, and renewal applicants have streamlined processes. Priority is given to renewal recipients before first-time applicants.
- 5Tiered Scholarship Amounts: Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 per academic year based on volunteer hours (ranging from 100+ hours up to 250+ hours). Scholarships can be used toward the cost of attendance and may be awarded for up to four academic years.
- 6Federal Supplemental Scholarships: A separate fund to award additional scholarships directly to students for volunteer service work, with award amounts determined by the Secretary and priority given to students who have not received a state scholarship.
- 7Recognition Program: A federal program to recognize schools and higher education institutions for their overall volunteer achievements and contributions to community service.
- 8Definitions and Scope: The act uses existing ESEA definitions for terms like elementary school, local educational agency, and state; defines eligible entities and units of local government; and clarifies that volunteer service excludes proselytizing, religious instruction, political lobbying, certain court-ordered service, or family-focused service.