This fall, 1,000 SUNY students will be paid to complete public service work in their areas of interest. Students who participate in the Empire State Service Corps program complete 300 paid work hours over the entire academic year. Corps members are allowed to choose from a selection of cohorts that align with their academic interests and the needs of the surrounding community. The program launched in the fall of 2025 with an inaugural class of 500 students. Since then, King said there’s been tremendous student interest. Funding from the 2026-2027 budget, which passed last week in Albany, will double the Service Corps this year. “I think it will set students up to engage in the community in an important way,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “They are tutoring K-12 schools and working on food and housing insecurity on campus and in the community. They’re working on sustainability initiatives.” Students can choose from a variety of cohorts, including civic engagement, economic support, education, health and veteran outreach. Roles may involve voter outreach and registration, early childhood education, shifts at a campus food pantry, or assistance with financial aid forms. ” will prepare them for careers, but also give them a deep appreciation for the needs of the community,” King said. Corps members are paid $16 an hour or their regional minimum wage — whichever is higher. Students can’t work more than 20 hours per week. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate SUNY students. Community-based organizations and local businesses may also apply to host corps members. The deadline to be considered in the first round of application review has already passed, but applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until all available positions are filled. Visit the SUNY website to learn more or apply.
ALBANY, N.Y. —
This fall, 1,000 SUNY students will be paid to complete public service work in their areas of interest.
Students who participate in the Empire State Service Corps program complete 300 paid work hours over the entire academic year. Corps members are allowed to choose from a selection of cohorts that align with their academic interests and the needs of the surrounding community.
The program launched in the fall of 2025 with an inaugural class of 500 students. Since then, King said there’s been tremendous student interest. Funding from the 2026-2027 budget, which passed last week in Albany, will double the Service Corps this year.
“I think it will set students up to engage in the community in an important way,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “They are tutoring K-12 schools and working on food and housing insecurity on campus and in the community. They’re working on sustainability initiatives.”
Students can choose from a variety of cohorts, including civic engagement, economic support, education, health and veteran outreach. Roles may involve voter outreach and registration, early childhood education, shifts at a campus food pantry, or assistance with financial aid forms.
“[This] will prepare them for careers, but also give them a deep appreciation for the needs of the community,” King said.
Corps members are paid $16 an hour or their regional minimum wage — whichever is higher. Students can’t work more than 20 hours per week.
The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate SUNY students. Community-based organizations and local businesses may also apply to host corps members. The deadline to be considered in the first round of application review has already passed, but applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until all available positions are filled.
Visit the SUNY website to learn more or apply.