Agency Resources

Information on this page describes ways that agencies can partner with us to host a Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow.

 

UA Coverdell Fellows commit to providing approximately 320 hours of service and outreach annually for each of two years. Service must benefit an underserved community in the United States or its territories. Service is usually conducted through a quarter-time (.25 FTE) Outreach Assistantship, which is usually paid, but is sometimes a volunteer or academic experience.

 

 

Paid internships most commonly take place with funding from:

 

Students may also provide service through:

 

Details on how each of these options works can be found below.

 

Eligible Coverdell Fellows  receive up to $3,000 in Work Study. Non-profit organizations and university outreach units may create a work study position by entering into agreement with the University through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Agencies must hire and submit hiring paperwork by late September. Net cost to an agency for a student with $3,000 of work study is 50% of the cost or $1,500. Please contact Melva C. Gutierrez in the UA Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for more information.

 

 

 

Some agencies build funding into agency budgets, grant proposals or raise funds to hire students directly. Fellows who are directly employed by an agency are asked to complete the Peace Corps Fellows Basic Agency Agreement (below).

 

Many fellows are hired by UA units for graduate research, outreach or teaching assistantships. Qualified students may work outside their own academic department. Depending on the nature of the assistantship, it may qualify for Fellows service to an underserved community. 

 

Many programs require an academic internship to graduate. A project at an agency may meet the requirements of the academic program. Academic credit is usually received. An academic advisor must agree to the internship proposal, and a final report or presentation is expected. Some outreach classes offer academic credit for service related internships, such as Community and School Gardens and Watershed Management Group internships.

 

Fellows collectively carry out numerous volunteer projects each year, and some Fellows take on volunteer responsibilities at various agencies. Volunteer service should benefit an underserved community, and have appropriate responsibilities and accountability built into the position.

 

 

 

1. Meet or discuss your interest with staff.

 

2. Submit an Agency Application Form to the Office of Fellowships & Community Engagement, and include a position description. Be clear about expectations, flexible with hours to be worked, and develop a position that takes advantage of the skills of returned Peace Corps volunteers.

 

3. Recruit for the position through Coverdell Fellows newletter, UA Wildcat Line, and the Coverdell Fellows Internship Fair. Agency partners are invited to table at the annual Peace Corps Fair held in late February.

 

4. At the Internship Fair, talk with Fellows and interested students, and make appointments for interviews. 

 

5. Complete the appropriate agreement (Work Study and/or Peace Corps Fellows) with the appropriate office. Interview applicants and make an offer. Work study students may begin working as soon as the semester begins through May. Additional Work Study may be requested in late spring.

 

7. Be sure to budget the appropriate cost-share for this year and next!

 

8. Be prepared to support students, verify hours and submit evaluations each semester.