Everything you need to know about what qualifies as community service, how to log your hours, and how volunteer activities are reviewed.
| Tier 3 | Tier 2 | Tier 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9-12 | 26-50 hours | 51-75 hours | 76-100 hours |
All volunteer hours must be logged accurately and thoroughly. Each volunteer activity should be documented separately to ensure proper verification.
Volunteer hours are rejected if they are incomplete, incorrectly documented, unsupported by verification, or outside program guidelines.
Volunteer work does not need to be completed through an organization. Independent projects such as neighborhood cleanups or park restoration may qualify. Additional documentation may be requested.
Examples: YouTube videos, Podcasts, Blogs, Educational websites
Eligible Hours Include: Planning, Research, Writing, Recording, Editing, Publishing
Requirements: Must be educational, Must be publicly available, Must be free
Not Eligible: Entertainment, Advertising, Political advocacy, Religious promotion, Event recordings
Volunteer coaching or teaching at camps, studios, or sports organizations may qualify only if:
Volunteer work at hospitals, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes may qualify even if the facility operates as a for-profit organization.
Volunteer hours earned through organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, Beta Club, or Church service projects may also count toward Volunteer Scholars if they otherwise meet program requirements.
Leadership positions alone are not community service.
Examples: Student Council, Club Officer, Team Captain, NHS Leadership, Beta Club Leadership
Exception: Volunteer service projects completed through these organizations may qualify.
The following do not count: Band Practice, Orchestra Rehearsals, Dance Practice, Theater Rehearsals, Sports Practices
Exception: Free public performances or performances benefiting charitable organizations may qualify.
Unpaid internships at for-profit businesses generally do not qualify because they primarily benefit the business.
Exceptions: Volunteer teaching assistants, Hospitals, Nursing homes
Fundraising for your own organization does not count.
Examples: Girl Scout Cookie Sales, Boy Scout Popcorn Sales, NHS Pizza Sales, Club Bake Sales
Exception: Fundraisers benefiting an outside nonprofit or charitable organization may qualify.
Generally do not qualify: Worship services, Religious instruction, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Proselytizing, Church fundraisers, Mission trips focused on religious outreach
May qualify: Food Drives, Soup Kitchens, Clothing Collections, Disaster Relief, Home Repairs, Medical Missions, Community Service Projects
Important: Only actual service hours count. Travel, meals, lodging, recreation, and sightseeing do not count.
Yes, Boy Scout hours may count if they otherwise meet program requirements and are documented appropriately.
Yes, Girl Scout hours may count if they otherwise meet program requirements and are documented appropriately.
Yes, NHS service hours may count if they are actual volunteer service (not leadership position hours) and meet program requirements.
Yes, unpaid tutoring counts as eligible community service.
Yes, educational YouTube content creation may qualify. The content must be educational, publicly available, and free.
It depends on the nature of the work. Service activities like food drives or community projects qualify. Worship services and religious instruction do not.