Students

College Corps @ the Beach program works with campus and community partners to place students in two-semester paid internships. Internships will focus on key issues related to climate action and environmental justice, food insecurity, and K-12 education with an emphasis on climate literacy.

On this page:

• Application
• Benefits
• Eligibility

Application

Deadline to apply is April 14, 2025, at 11:59pm to be considered for priority review.

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Next Steps

Want to participate in College Corps @ the Beach? Here are the next steps:

1. Update your resume.
2. Complete the online application and upload your resume (priority deadline is April 14 at 11:59pm).
3. If selected as a finalist, complete 1-3 interviews with nonprofit organizations between May 1, 2025, and June 6, 2025.
4. Selection decisions made and students notified by June 13, 2025.
5. If selected, attend the online Student Orientation on June 23, 2025.

Benefits

Internships provide valuable hands-on experience that helps students develop practical skills, build professional networks, and gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field.

As a student participating in College Corps @ the Beach you will:

• Commit to a two-semester internship (fall and spring) during which you will complete 450 hours of meaningful work while honing professional and educational skills and knowledge, exploring career opportunities, and building/expanding your networks with community professionals. This breaks down to about 12-15 hours a week at your internship site.
• Engage in real-world job experiences that can bolster and strengthen your resume.
• Enroll in a 3-unit internship course during the fall semester of your participation.
• Attend professional development trainings and workshops.
• Connect with other interns across the state via a virtual community platform and regional events.
• Receive up to $7,000 toward living expenses (paid out in monthly installments) and a $3,000 educational award at the completion of your 450 hours that can be used to pay off education loans or put toward future educational expenses (e.g., tuition, books).

Undergraduate students from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply, including AB 540 students and those who are first in their families to go to college.

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Eligibility

The College Corps program is open to undergraduate students who are committed to community service and meet specific requirements.

Priority will be given to students who demonstrate a financial need.

We are looking for committed students who have:

• passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change.
• a growth mindset and eagerness to try new things.
• an interest in connecting with and learning from other students and partners across the state.
• a willingness to be an ambassador for the internship program on campus and beyond.

Students selected to join the program should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• work part time and/or take student loans to cover their educational costs.
• have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2025-26 academic year and qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.
• have completed the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the 2025-26 academic year and qualify for a State Cal Grant.
• be an AB-540 Eligible Dreamer.

Additional Requirements for Cohort #4

Additionally, eligible students are required to:

• Be a full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at CSULB (12 units).
• No minimum GPA, but students must be in good conduct and academic standing.
• Be committed to the program for both the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters (August 2025-May 2026).
• Students graduating in fall 2025 are not eligible for this program but should check out other paid internship programs like the Long Beach Community Internship Program.
• Students studying abroad during either/both semesters are not eligible.
• Attend an online Student Orientation on June 23, 2025 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, if selected.
• Attend an in-person Welcome Reception at CSULB on Friday, August 15, 2025.
• Complete interviews with nonprofit organizations in May 2025, if selected. These interviews will determine your site placements for the academic year (more information about these interviews will be given once students are selected for the program).

AB 540 Students

AB 540 students are eligible for this program if you:

• Have a completed and submitted a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Are an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• AB540 students who are accepted into the program will also be required to submit a CA DSIG Application to become eligible for the $3,000 Education Award; College Corps @ the Beach will help students to complete this application. Learn more about the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program.

AB 540 students interested in applying are encouraged to contact the Dream Success Center for assistance with their program applications and/or for questions. Please also feel free to reach out directly to Dr. Norma Salcedo (Norma.Salcedo@csulb.edu), Director of the Dream Success Center.