Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Service Starts At Home Act”.
Service Starts At Home Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out grant programs to encourage student participation in local government and volunteer service, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Grants to support internships in local government
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes allocations to States, in accordance with subsection (b), to support paid internships for secondary school students within local government agencies.
Allocations to States— Of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year, each State that has an application approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) shall be allocated an amount in proportion to number of students enrolled in the public elementary and secondary schools in the State for the previous school year relative to the total number of students enrolled in the public elementary and secondary schools for such school year in every State that has an application approved by the Secretary under such subsection.
Application— To be eligible to receive an allocation under subsection (b) a State shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Local government internship program— Each State that receives an allocation under subsection (b) shall use such allocation to carry out a program under which the State—
in consultation with local government officials—
identifies appropriate paid internship opportunities for secondary school students within local government agencies;
establishes a process for the selection of students to fill such internships; and
determines hourly rates of pay and other terms and conditions applicable to such internships; and
provides funds to local government agencies to reimburse such agencies for costs incurred in providing such internships.
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.
Sec. 3 Scholarship for service program
Funding for States—
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes allocations to States, in accordance with paragraph (2), to carry out the scholarship program under subsection (b).
Allocations to States— Of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year, each State that has an application approved by the Secretary under paragraph (3) shall be allocated an amount in proportion to number of students enrolled in the public elementary and secondary schools in the State for the previous school year relative to the total number of students enrolled in the public elementary and secondary schools for such school year in every State that has an application approved by the Secretary under such paragraph.
State application— To be eligible to receive an allocation under paragraph (2) a State shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
State administered scholarship program—
In general— Each State that receives an allocation under subsection (a) shall use such allocation to carry out a program under which the State awards scholarships, on a competitive basis, to eligible students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service work.
Application— A student who seeks a scholarship under this subsection shall submit an application to the State at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the State may require.
Student eligibility— To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this subsection a student shall meet the following criteria:
First-time applicant— In the case of a first-time applicant for a scholarship under this subsection, the student shall—
be enrolled in public secondary school;
be in the final year of a program of study leading to a regular high school diploma; and
have completed at least 100 hours of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary of Education).
Renewal applicant— In the case of a student who previously received a scholarship under this subsection and who is seeking a scholarship for a subsequent academic year, the student shall—
be enrolled in an institution of higher education;
be in good academic standing (as determined by the institution); and
have completed at least 100 hours of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary of Education).
Priority— In awarding scholarships under this subsection, a State shall—
first award scholarships to renewal applicants described in paragraph (3)(B); and
from any funds remaining after awarding such scholarships, award scholarships to first-time applicants described in paragraph (3)(A).
Use of funds— A scholarship received by a student under this subsection may be used by such student only to pay the student’s costs of attendance at an institution of higher education.
Duration— Each scholarship under this subsection shall be awarded for a period of one academic year. A student may receive a scholarship under this subsection for a total period of not more than four academic years.
Amount— The amount of each scholarship under this subsection shall be—
$1000, for a student who completed at least 100 hours, but less than 175 hours, of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary of Education);
$2000, for a student who completed at least 175 hours, but less than 250 hours, of volunteer service work in such period; and
$3000, for a student who completed at least 250 hours of volunteer service work in such period.
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.
Sec. 4 Definitions
In this Act:
The term cost of attendance has the meaning given that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
The terms elementary school, regular high school diploma, secondary school, and State have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
The term volunteer service work means unpaid acts of volunteer service conducted for or on behalf of a government or other nonprofit organization, which may include a community-based organization, faith-based organization, school, national service program, civic or fraternal service organization, local government agency, or other such organization.
Such term does not include acts of proselytizing, conducting worship services, religious instruction, political lobbying, court ordered service, or service conducted primarily for the benefit of the family of a student described in section 3(c).