FAQ
Do I have to be enrolled in college to participate?
No, you do not have to be enrolled in college or planning to go to college to join. The Civic Action Gap Semester is open to any student ages 17-22, regardless of college plans. You should have an interest in civic engagement and a commitment to your community.
Do I have to be a Tufts University student to join?
No, you do not have to be a Tufts University student to join.
Do we get to choose our volunteership placement?
You will have some choice in your placement, but we will take into account the needs of the partner agency and your skills and interests before placing you.
Instead of being matched to a placement, students can also submit their own volunteership proposals with organizations within their communities or networks.
How do I get college-level course credit?
Any student who completes the 12-week experience will receive 3 units of college credit from Tufts University (the equivalent of one course).
When do I need to be available?
You should plan to be online between 12 and 3 PM ET Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and you should make sure to have some free time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to meet with your mentor, complete required program work, participate in Spanish classes and other optional program activities, and work for your volunteership. Your exact volunteership schedule will depend on the agency’s needs and your availability, but all placements require 6–8 hours of work each week.
What is the language requirement?
Students should be proficient in the English language as the curriculum will be delivered in English. Each student will join a Spanish or English language class for formal language instruction.
Can I apply for financial assistance?
Yes! We are excited to offer sliding scale fee with four tiers ranging from $250 to $8,475 based on a student’s financial situation. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, as our ability to offer lower fee packages is limited. Note on your application that you are applying for financial assistance. You will need to submit your most recent 1040 tax form or another form of income verification. Applicants will be notified of their financial assistance package when they are accepted to the Civic Action Gap Semester, before paying a deposit. If you are unable to participate due to financial reasons, the $50 application fee is refundable. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about financial assistance. Click here for more information about fees and financial assistance.
If these FAQs don’t answer your questions, we’d be happy to chat. Click here to set up a call.
