1. How do I apply for the Clemson Community Service Grant?

The CCSG is a need-based grant that does not have a specific application process. Any student who fills out the FAFSA by the April 1 deadline will automatically be considered for the grant.

2. How do I know if I got the CCSG?

If you apply for financial aid, you will receive an award letter in the spring or summer from the Financial Aid Office. This letter will tell you the details of your package, including if you received the CCSG or not. You can also check your financial aid on SIS on the Web. The CCSG will be listed as "University Grant."

3. How many hours of community service am I supposed to do?

You are required to complete 20 hours of community service for each semester that you receive the grant. If you receive the CCSG for both the Fall and Spring semesters, then you are required to do a total of 40 hours for the year.

4. What kind of community service project can I do?

You have a number of wonderful opportunities to choose from, and we sincerely hope you will find a service experience that you will enjoy! Many students use past volunteer experiences or career goals as starting points for finding a fun and interesting service project. There are a number of resources available to help you find an opportunity that is right for you, including the Service Opportunity Database, the Upcoming Service Events calendar, the Fall Volunteer Fair, and service clubs and organizations. You are not limited to the opportunities listed here and are invited to come up with your own service project that is right for you. If you choose to do this, you will need to have the agency pre-approved to ensure that you have a safe and appropriate service experience. Do this by turning in the Site Approval Form (PDF) found on-line.

5. Do I have to do my community service hours at Clemson?

You may do community service hours wherever you want! Most students complete their hours in the local Clemson area, but some students choose to perform hours while home for breaks or weekends, or even while away on a mission trip. You are free to choose the location that works best for you. Just be sure to have a site pre-approved to make sure the hours will count.

6. When are my hours due? Can I wait and do them in the summer?

Most students receive the CCSG for both the Fall and Spring semester. In this situation, hours completed in the fall are due in January (see Important Dates), and hours completed in the spring are due in April (a date will be set each year.) It is strongly recommended that you go ahead and do half of your hours in the Fall, and half in the Spring so that you are not overwhelmed with doing the total amount of hours in one semester. If you receive the CCSG for just one semester, as in the case of a graduating senior or a Co-op student, then you will need to complete your hours by the end of the semester for which you received the grant. In the Fall, the date is December 1. The Spring date is set for a time in April. All hours need to be completed during the school year and cannot be made up or completed ahead of time during the summer.

7. What happens if I don't finish my hours?

We hope you won't have to worry about the consequences for not completing the required hours! With so many resources and service opportunities available to you, you should not have a problem completing your hours. However, if you elect to accept the grant from the University and not fulfill your end of the commitment, you will have a block placed on your student record and you will not be able to receive the grant again in the future.