Stipend, Scholarships, & Supplies
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The California Conservation Corps is committed to helping young adults find their career and educational pathways. Our training opportunities can lead to meaningful careers in the field of natural resources. However, that’s not the only benefit of committing to a year of service with the CCC.
Corpsmembers enrolled with the CCC get the benefits of training to launch their careers, and get paid to do so. There is also the opportunity to earn scholarship money that can be used to further your educational opportunities or secure the certifications needed to land your dream job. Lastly, we supply everything you’ll need to get the job done.
Get Paid While You Train
Yes, Corpsmembers are paid while they work and train in the California Conservation Corps. Corpsmembers receive what’s called a stipend, which is a form of compensation for someone enrolled in a training program.
$2,814
Monthly Stipend
Corpsmembers receive $2,814 per month, and get paid on the 10th day of every month for the prior month. If the 10th falls on a state holiday or weekend, the stipend is paid on or before the next state business day.
The stipend is taxable income. Corpsmembers assigned to residential centers will have the $500 monthly maintenance fee automatically deducted from their stipend each month.
Monthly Stipend
Bonus Pay
Monthly Stipend
Corpsmembers may also receive emergency bonus payments, in addition to their Corpsmember stipend.
This happens when assigned to an emergency response project. When a Corpsmember performs more than eight hours of program activities in a day, the extra hours will be designated as Emergency Excess Time. Emergency hours are calculated at the end of each pay period at a bonus rate of $21.00 per hour.
Emergency Excess Time is distributed as a separate check from the Corpsmember stipend and is taxable income.
On Emergency Assignments
Promotional Pay
Monthly Stipend
There is an associated increase in the monthly Stipend for Corpsmembers who promote in the program and those who serve independently from a CCC crew as part of an internship.
- $2,814
- Corpsmember (Blue Hat)
- Specialist (Green Hat)
- $2,904
- Crew Leader (Red Hat)
- Culinary Specialist (Green Hat)
- Intern 1
- $2,967
- Crew Leader 2 (Orange Hat)
- Intern 2
For Specialists and Crew Leaders
Earn While You Serve
As part of our commitment to enhance Corpsmembers’ educational opportunities and career training, the CCC offers enrollees the opportunity to earn scholarships while serving in the program.
CCC Brad Duncan Scholarship
While in the program, Corpsmembers have the opportunity to earn multiple versions of the Brad Duncan Scholarship with a maximum of $7,000 total available to earn.
- First Year Brad Duncan Scholarship = $2,000
- First Year Supplemental Brad Duncan Scholarship = $2,000
- Second Year Brad Duncan Scholarship = $2,000
- Second Year Supplemental Brad Duncan Scholarship = $1,000
How It Works
The Brad Duncan Scholarship (BDS) funds must be sent directly to the school or program. Per the school or program’s internal policy, portions of the funds may be released to the student to cover course specific supplies, transportation, etc.
Once Corpsmembers have earned each scholarship they receive an email with instructions for utilizing the scholarship. The scholarship will expire two years after leaving the CCC.
Requirements
First Year
- Complete 357 days in the CCC, AND
- Complete Conservation Awareness Program (CAP)
- Complete Career Development & Transition (CDT)
- Complete Community and the Environment or Civic Engagement (CEC)
- Complete 48 Volunteer Hours (16 max in-camp allowed)
First Year Supplemental
- Complete 1st Year BDS requirements, AND
- A minimum of 900 hours on projects excluded from AmeriCorps (e.g. in-camp or kitchen) OR, Exclusion due to citizenship status
Second Year
- Completed 721 days in the CCC, AND
- All of the requirements for a 1st Year BDS
Second Year Supplemental
- Completed 2nd Year BDS requirements, AND
- A minimum of 1800 hours on projects excluded from AmeriCorps (e.g. in-camp or kitchen) OR, Exclusion due to citizenship status
Dress For Success
All Corpsmembers, as part of the program, are issued uniform supplies. Corpsmembers do not have to pay for or provide their own clothing to comply with the CCC uniform policy. The only items not provided are socks and undergarments.
Upon starting at a CCC center, Corpsmembers are issued:
- Four pairs of Navy Blue Cargo pants
- Three long-sleeve tan shirts
- One short-sleeve tan shirt
- One black webbed belt
- Five black CCC logo t-shirts
- One black jacket
- One all-cloth cap
- One pair of new black boots
Corpsmembers will also be provided with all required equipment for work and spikes, this includes personal protective equipment as well as tents and sleeping bags.
Blue Hat
Blue Hats are the first rank a Corpsmember earns during COMET, that’s Corpsmember Orientation, Motivation, Education, and Training.
Red Hat
Red Hats are earned and worn by Corpsmembers promoting to the rank of Crew Leader. Crew Leaders develop leadership and other skills by, among other things, assisting staff with conservation projects or kitchen crew operations, serving in leadership role models for their peers, and helping Corpsmembers gain maturity from, and an understanding of, projects and program participation. Crew Leaders will also develop personal growth characteristics, leadership skills and civic responsibility.
Green Hat
Green Hats are worn by Corpsmembers promoting to the rank of Specialist. Corpsmembers can choose what they specialize in as part of the promotion. Each center establishes and develops available Specialist positions, including culinary, energy, vehicle maintenance, safety, chain saw, tool, and supply.
Orange Hat
Orange Hats are the highest rank a Corpsmember can promote to while enrolled in the program. Orange Hats are known as Crew Leader 2s and develop advanced leadership capabilities through assisting staff with the training and education of Corpsmembers. Crew Leader 2 positions may be assigned to Corpsmember Development or special programs as determined and approved by the District Director.
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about the benefits of being a Corpsmember. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Give us a call!
Call A Recruiter
1-800-952-5627
Is the stipend tax free?
The Corpsmember stipend is not tax free. The $2,814 is before taxes. The amount of tax taken out depends on your chosen level of deduction. You could choose $0 be deducted, but would then potentially owe federal and state taxes when filing your tax returns. If you choose a higher deduction, you might get a refund from the state and federal governments after filing your taxes.
What happened to the AmeriCorps scholarship?
In years past Corpsmembers enrolled in the CCC were also able to earn various levels of the AmeriCorps Education Award Program. Starting in the 2024-25 federal Fiscal Year, AmeriCorps stopped taking new enrollees into the program and the scholarship is no longer available for newly enrolled Corpsmembers.
As of February 2025, it is unclear if or when the AmeriCorps Education Award will be available again for CCC Corpsmembers.
I earned an AmeriCorps Scholarship, how do I access it?
Corpsmembers who have completed the requirements can access their award on the AmeriCorps scholarship portal. Any questions on accessing the award may be directed to the National Service Hotline at 1-800-942-2677 or via the AmeriCorps webpage.
Do I get to keep the uniform clothing I'm provided?
All equipment and clothing that is issued to the Corpsmember must be turned in within 24 hours of leaving the program. If equipment is not returned to the California Conservation Corps, the Corpsmember will be charged for the items.
Do I get paid for initial training if I didn't finish it?
No, if someone fails to complete the five day Corpsmember Orientation, Motivation, Education, and Training (COMET) they are not entitled to any portion of the Corpsmember stipend.
Do I get vacation days as a Corpsmember?
Corpsmembers receive Personal Leave Credits as part of the program. At the conclusion of Corpsmember Orientation, Education, Motivation, and Training (COMET), Corpsmembers receive four Personal Leave Credit. A Personal Leave Credit is equal to a single day off from required CCC program activities.
After completing three full months of service, Corpsmembers will receive one additional leave credit. Beginning in month four, Corpsmembers earn one leave credit per completed month.
Use of Personal Leave Credits does not impact the amount of the Corpsmember stipend.
Do I get holidays off?
Corpsmembers will be granted each state holiday without any reduction to their stipend. Most Corpsmembers will not be required to engage in any CCC program activities on state holidays with the exception of emergency response projects.
Whenever a Corpsmember is required to engage in a CCC activity on a state holiday, they will receive one Holiday Credit. Holiday Credits can be used in the same way as Personal Leave Credits
You can find a list of state holidays on the CAL HR website.