Empire State Service Corps

Program Description: 

The Empire State Service Corps is a paid public service program for learners enrolled at a campus of The State University of New York (SUNY). Selected learners serve their communities while gaining real world work experience for 300 hours each academic year. Each participant selects a cohort aligned with their desired interest areas, such as climate activism or creating more equitable education systems. Learners complete roughly 10 hours of service per week and are paid above state minimum wage (~$16 per hour).  

Impact: 

The Empire State Service Corps has six cohorts which help to address myriad community needs across the state of New York in a specialized manner. Some examples include the Economic Opportunity cohort where Corps members serve in local high schools to work with students on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Environmental Stewardship cohort where learners work on campus, with local nonprofits, or state agencies to create sustainability programming and campaigns, and the Healthy Futures Cohort where participants work with individual community members on basic needs support, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits outreach.  

Population Served:  

This program serves all SUNY learners, including those enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Participants serve communities across the state of New York, made possible by the SUNY system’s 64 campuses.  

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026