KU News Release

Center for Service Learning to award $150,000 to students serving the community

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students will have the opportunity to receive a $1,000 education award for serving the community during the spring 2009 semester.

KU’s Center for Service Learning has made 150 of the awards available to students by implementing Careers for the Common Good, an AmeriCorps program run through Kansas Campus Compact in Manhattan, Kan.

Through Careers for the Common Good, students serving at least 300 hours in education, allied health or community building by July 31 can earn $1,000 each. The award can be used toward past, current or future educational costs, including tuition and qualified student loans. Many KU students already are eligible based on their academic curriculum requirements.

Service in education is meant to address low achievement in underserved, academically struggling schools. Eligible participants in this area include student teachers serving at high-risk schools or teaching math, science, English as a second language or special education.

The allied health focus area is aimed at strengthening the capacity of community health centers, public hospitals and other health care facilities. Students are qualified if they are nursing, allied health or medical students completing internships at nonprofit organizations.

Students eligible for the community strengthening/nonprofit focus area fulfill practica or course-related service at nonprofits, with the overall goal of increasing the ability of nonprofit community-based agencies and organizations.

Participating schools, departments and programs are: School of Allied Health, School of Nursing, School of Law, School of Education, School of Pharmacy, School of Social Welfare, Department of Public Administration, Department of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Visual arts education in the Department of Design and the UKan Teach program.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.