FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
SERVICE
LIVING
CORPS MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
SECURITY / LEGAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is City Year?
City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, corps members make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in the U.S. and South Africa.
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 has engaged more than 500,000 Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
What do City Year corps members do?
Please see How You’ll Do It.
What are the benefits to 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 site, please visit a City Year location's Web page.
What are the eligibility requirements to serve with City Year?
To participate you must:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 24
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident alien
- Be ready to dedicate 10 months to full-time service
- Be a high school graduate or GED recipient or agree to work toward high school equivalency while serving at City Year*
- Have served no more than 2 terms in another AmeriCorps, NCCC, or VISTA program
- Agree to a background or security check
* If you do not have a high school diploma or its equivalency, you will be required to take a basic academic proficiency test; your position will be contingent upon satisfactory testing results.
What is required to complete the program and receive the education award?
To receive the educational award from AmeriCorps, a corps member must complete 1,700 hours of service, all City Year-required competencies, and serve through the program's graduation date.
Where is City Year located?
City Year operates in 17 locations within the United States:
When do City Year corps members start service?
The term of service for corps members begins in late August or early September of each year. Exact dates vary by location.
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APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
When is the application deadline?
City Year accepts applications during four cycles each year:
Deadline
Early Application .............. November 30
Winter Application .............. February 15
Spring Application .............. April 15
Summer Application .............. May 31
Any applications received after May 31 will be considered based on limited availability.
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 seeks applicants with the attributes that will lead to a successful service year. For more information, visit Who We Are Looking For.
How competitive is the admissions process?
Each year, approximately one out of every four 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. The average length from receipt of application to a decision is typically 2-4 weeks.
Can I apply to more than one site at a time?
City Year is one national organization with many locations. Therefore, we accept only one application per individual. 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 someone from the National Recruitment Department will place your application at one of our 17 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.
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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 learn about the unique culture of City Year, the various neighborhoods of the community, and the types of service they will be performing throughout the year. Corps members are also trained in specific skills, such as teambuilding, working with children, and community resource mapping. There will also be regular trainings throughout the year to enhance your service.
What types of service will I be performing?
The majority of your service responsibilities will involve working with children. 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 6 and 12 corps members.
What is a typical day for a City Year corps member?
A typical day varies from one corps member to another; however, here is a typical day for many corps members:
8:00-8:30 am Preparing the next day's lessons
10:30 am Teaching in the classroom
2:00 pm Serving in after-school programs or performing physical service projects
4:30 pm Once-weekly training on service-related issues and skills
5:00-6:00 pm Wrapping-up and finishing lesson plans and projects
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LIVING
How can I best prepare for my year with City Year?
In the months prior to start of service, we recommended you finalize all living arrangements – secure 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 and staff 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.
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, or access to 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 weekly 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.
Can my student loans be deferred while I am serving with City Year?
Yes, in most cases. For specific information, 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!
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CORPS MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
If I don't have my high school diploma, will City Year help me get my GED?
For corps members without a high school diploma, enrolling in a GED program is a required element of their service year. While City Year will provide corps members with access to a GED program, it is the corps member's responsibility to attend class, complete assignments, and prepare for tests.
What skills will I develop while in City Year?
Please see Leadership Development.
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 educational award?
For a list of colleges and universities that augment or match the educational award, visit the AmeriCorps Web site.
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.
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SECURITY / LEGAL INFORMATION
City Year's Security and Privacy Policy
We acknowledge that a lot of information is asked of you in completing the inquiry form, referral form, registration form, or 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.
- Inquiry, Referral, and Registration Forms
The information you submit in completing the inquiry, referral, registration forms will be accessible to only City Year staff.
- 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 references 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 record of 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.
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