Bentley undergraduate students who apply for and are awarded a “give a year” scholarship will receive a $20,000 credit toward their senior year Bentley tuition. Bentley graduate students who apply and are awarded the scholarship will receive the $20,000 tuition credit for their graduate study. Note that graduate students must be enrolled on a full-time basis in the McCallum Graduate School. In either case, your “give a year” service must be performed before the scholarship is awarded. All “give a year” scholars must apply for and be accepted as a Corps Member by City Year as well.

In addition to receiving the $20,000 tuition credit from Bentley, “give a year” scholars will receive a $5,550 education award from AmeriCorps. Additionally, as City Year Corps Members, you will receive a weekly stipend to defray living expenses during your service year, health insurance, deferment of any college loan payments during your service year, an orientation and training program at the start of service, weekly leadership development sessions throughout your service year, a uniform, a cell phone, and a public transit pass.

Current Scholars:

• Brenna Foley, City Year Miami, FL
• Katie Auger, City Year San Antonio, TX
• Keisha Johnson, City Year Miami, FL
• Ma-Kirah Wilkerson, City Year Miami, FL
• Michael Chanler, City Year San Jose, CA
• Molly Godfrey, City Year Los Angeles, CA
• Travis Vigneault, City Year Manchester, NH

2010-2011 Scholars:

• Kaylyn Frazier, City Year San Jose
• Kiernan Patenaude, City Year Seattle
• Brian LeBlanc, City Year Philadelphia
• Max Rogers, City Year Boston
• Marc Schleif, City Year Los Angeles

2009-2010 Scholars:

• Tara Meehan, City Year Miami
• Jenna Nakamura, City Year Louisiana

At this point you probably still have more questions than answers. So let’s get you started.

In addition to reading the FAQs that follow, you should visit the City Year web site at www.cityyear.org to learn more about the life and work of a City Year Corps Member and apply online. In addition, you will also need to complete the Bentley “give a year” scholarship application form.

If you’d like to know more about this program please contact:

Kiernan Patenaude, City Year Alumna '11 and "give a year" Marketing Coordinator, patenau_kier@bentley.edu, ext. 2723, or Professor Zlotkowski in the Bentley Service-Learning Center, Morison 101, ezlotkowski@bentley.edu, ext. 2592.

GENERAL INFORMATION 

What is City Year?

City Year is an education focused, nonprofit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation. At City Year's 21 urban locations across the United States and two international affiliates, teams of trained young people called corps members serve full-time in schools for the academic year as tutors, mentors and role models. By focusing on attendance, behavior and course performance, which identify students who are at risk of dropping out, corps members are uniquely able to help students and schools succeed.

How is City Year related to AmeriCorps?

City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps and is one of the largest AmeriCorps programs in the country. AmeriCorps is a federally funded network of national service programs that engages Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

What do City Year corps members do?

Please see What We Do.

What are the benefits of serving with City Year?

Please see What You’ll Get.

Who are City Year's service partners?

City Year partners with a wide variety of organizations, including schools, nonprofits, community-based organizations and other organizations in the service field, such as homeless shelters and food pantries. For a complete list of service partners at each location, please visit City Year location'sWeb page.

What are the eligibility requirements to serve with City Year?

To participate you must:

• Have a college degree or have attended some college, have a high school diploma or GED,
• Be able to dedicate 10 months to full-time service
• Be between the ages of 17 and 24
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident alien
• Agree to a background or security check
• Previous experiences with service, tutoring, mentoring or leadership help strengthen candidacy.
• Be able to begin City Year by July 2012, start dates vary by location
• Note: If you have already served 2 or more terms with any AmeriCorps State or National program, please contact the City Year National Recruitment Department to determine your eligibility to serve with City Year.

What is required to complete the program and receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award?

To receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, a corps member must complete 1,700 hours of service, allCity Year-required competencies and serve through the program's graduation date.

Where is City Year located?

City Year operates in locations across the United States:

When do City Year corps members start service?

The term of service for corps members begins in late July or early August of each year. Exact dates vary by location and generally follow the local school year calendar.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

When is the application deadline?

Submit your completed application online by one of the deadlines below:

When is the best time to apply to City Year?

The earlier you apply, the greater your chances for acceptance.

What criteria are used in the selection process?

City Year corps members are as diverse a group as the communities they serve. We're looking for you if you want to give back, work alongside a diverse group of people and are ready to change the world. City Year seeks applicants with the attributes that will lead to a successful service year. For more specific information, please visit Who We Are Looking For.

How competitive is the admissions process?

Each year, approximately one out of every six applicants is accepted to City Year.

How long will the selection process take?

The length of the selection process will vary according to the volume of the applications City Year has received at the time of your submission. Based on the submission of a completed application with both references, applicants will receive notification decisions approximately one month after the application deadline. Please see the application deadline table above for notification dates, and allow for additional mail delivery time.

Can I apply to more than one location at a time?

City Year is one national organization with 20 domestic locations. Therefore, we accept only one application per individual in one year. Submitting your application to more than one location will significantly delay the selection process. If you are unsure of where to apply, we encourage you to learn more by reading about our various locations, or contact recruitment staff for information to assist you in your decision. If you do not have a location preference, you may choose to apply to serve where you are most needed, and the National Recruitment Department will place your application at one of our locations. Please know that placement is final and cannot be changed.

If I am not offered a corps member position, can I reapply for the next deadline? Can I apply to another City Year location?

Unfortunately, you cannot reapply during the same year, even to another location. You are welcome, however, to reapply the following year.

If I am accepted, how can I find additional information about my location and other incoming corps members?

Before you start your service, you will have access to an online community for incoming corps members. You can search for roommates, learn about affordable housing or simply get to know and connect with other corps members. You will have access to valuable information about City Year, our history and your service. We also encourage you to join your location's Facebook group and connect with fellow corps members through social media.

SERVICE

Will I receive training prior to service?

Yes. The first month of your service year includes City Year Basic Training Academy, during which corps members receive instruction on specific skills including literacy and math learning and tutoring, working with children, team-building and community resource mapping. Corps members also learn about the unique culture of City Year, the various neighborhoods of the community and the types of service you will be performing. There will also be regular trainings throughout the year to enhance your service and improve your leadership skills.

What types of service will I be performing?

The majority of your service responsibilities will involve working with children as a tutor, mentor and role model. For descriptions of specific projects, please see How You’ll Do It.

When will I be placed on a team?

During the first month of the service year, the City Year staff will form teams based on the diverse experiences and skill sets of the corps, ensuring that team members can learn from and help each other. Typically, each team has between 8 and 15 corps members.

What is a typical day for a City Year corps member?

A typical dayvaries from one corps member to another; however, here is an example of how your time might be invested:

LIVING

Does City Year provide housing?

No. City Year does not provide housing for its corps members. We do, however, provide assistance to corps members searching for housing, such as contact information for quality rental agencies, recommendations of neighborhoods in which to live and access to an online community where you can contact other incoming corps members also in need of housing. Please visit Finding Housing for more information.

Will I get paid?

Yes, as a corps member you receive a bi-weekly living stipend. To help you learn to manage with limited income, we provide training on personal finances. You can contact your prospective location for more information.

How can I best prepare for my year with City Year?

In the months prior to the start of service, we recommend you finalize all living arrangements – visit the City Year online housing community and secure your housing, set up all utilities and confirm any moving or travel needs. Begin to budget your expenses to ensure you are ready to make wise spending decisions while living on a stipend. If you would like, you can also start exploring the city you will be calling home for a year, either in person or online!

Can I work or take classes while serving with City Year?

Yes, as long as it does not interfere with your service commitment. Some corps members work or take classes during evenings and weekends.

Why do City Year corps members wear uniforms? How often will I wear the uniform?

City Year corps members wear a uniform every day as a symbol of unity and of the service we provide to the community.

Will I earn vacation, holidays, and sick days?

Yes. You begin earning vacation, personal and sick days at the start of service. You will also receive time off for most national holidays.

Does City Year provide transportation?

Many of our locations have established partnerships with local public transportation authorities, which allow corps members to receive free or discounted transportation passes throughout their year of service. Please contact your prospective location for details.

What type of health insurance will I have?

All corps members receive basic healthcare coverage during their active service. There is no charge for the coverage.

Can my student loans be deferred while I am serving with City Year?

Yes, in most cases. For specific information, please see the Benefits page.

Can my parents or friends visit me in service?

Yes. City Year always welcomes visitors. In addition to specific events and programs geared towards family and friends (Opening Day; Parents, Friends, and Family Night; and Graduation), you may invite guests to visit or even join you in service!

CORPS MEMBER DEVELOPMENT

What skills will I develop while in City Year?

As a City Year corps member, you will be provided with the skills and experiences you need to change the world. City Year offers leadership development training throughout the year. Please see Leadership Development for examples of specific skills.

Will service with City Year improve my chance of acceptance to college?

There is no guarantee, of course, but national service provides valuable experience that can help set you apart as an applicant. Many colleges, including Ivy League schools, are on record as supporting a gap year before or during college.

What colleges and universities augment or match the AmeriCorps Education Award?

For a list of colleges and universities that augment or match the educational award, visit the AmeriCorps website. Please also see our What You'll Get page for a list of all our Education benefits, including our give a year Partnerships: colleges and universities that provide at least 25% scholarships to City Year corps, alumni and staff.

How will City Year prepare me for a future career?

In addition to skills in resume writing, interviewing, project management and public speaking, City Year provides its corps members with experience in teamwork, working with a diverse group of people, and leadership which are applicable and beneficial in almost any career. Please visit our What You'll Get page for a list of all our Career benefits, including our partnership with the Peace Corps and City Year-related positions, such as staff or senior corps positions.

SECURITY / LEGAL INFORMATION

City Year's Security and Privacy Policy

We acknowledge that a lot of information is asked of you in completing the online application The City Year Gateway and Online Application are secure environments. We ensure that any information you submit to us is safe from unauthorized access by encryption, which scrambles all data sent from and to your browser through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. This prevents anyone from impersonating you or City Year’s server, and prohibits unauthorized individuals from reading your personal information. City Year does not sell or provide any information we collect to anyone.

Online Application
City Year staff will not be able to view any of the information you enter as you are completing the online application; it will only become available to us upon submission of the application. In addition, your password will be encrypted — you, and only you, will know what it is throughout the entire application process.

Falsification / Misrepresentation

Applicants are expected to provide honest and truthful information on the application and any supporting documentation, including recommendations and proof of citizenship. Falsification or misrepresentation of data will result in immediate disqualification from the admissions process.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

City Year is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, veteran status, or religion.

Privacy Act Notice

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C.§552a) requires that the following notice be provided to you: The authority for collecting information from you in this application is contained in 42 U.S.C. 4953 of Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended. You are advised that submission of the information is entirely voluntary, but requested information is required in order for you to participate in AmeriCorps programs.

Legal Information/Criminal Records

City Year asks all applicants to disclose any previous criminal records and/or proceedings. Existence of criminal convictions/adjudication may or may not, depending upon the circumstances, disqualify you from considerations. However, any intentional misrepresentation or omission will disqualify you.