Connecticut high school-aged students can qualify for a state community-service award by completing at least 20 volunteer hours across four distinct projects during the 2026-27 award period.
The Serve Connecticut Community Impact Award counts service completed from June 1, 2026, through April 15, 2027. Students who meet the requirements will be recognized in May 2027, according to the governor's Oct. 16 announcement.
Participants must register through Serve Connecticut's InnerView youth-service platform. The system records volunteer hours and creates a digital service record students can use when applying to colleges, scholarships or jobs.
Schools and club leaders can use the platform without charge to organize projects and recognize volunteers. Nonprofits can post opportunities for students to serve.
The state says 156 young people from 67 high schools earned the award in its first year. Those participants logged more than 15,000 service hours.
Serve Connecticut, a program of the state Office of Higher Education, administers AmeriCorps grants on behalf of the state. Program questions can go to director of programs Kate Scheuritzel at Kate.Scheuritzel@ct.gov.
Sources: State announcement and award requirements; Serve Connecticut registration information.