Frequently Asked Questions
Specifically, what public service activities will or will not count?
No religious teaching or indoctrination will be considered, but all volunteer work sponsored by religious institutions designed to help others in need will certainly count.
Where can volunteer documentation forms be found?
Who must sign them?
Who tallies student hours?
When are the schools given updated totals?
Volunteer documentation forms can be downloaded from this site or found in your counseling office's vertical file. A supervisor from a 501 © 3 organization must sign the form documenting the number of hours you volunteer. Your forms are then sent to North Harris College and to your high school on your total number of documented volunteer hours. These reports will allow you to verify receipt of all reported hours. There will be no verification after January 30, so please report hours monthly or as soon as possible. Do not hold documentation forms until the end of the reporting period.
Who will decide the scholarship winners?
When will the winners be determined?
When will the winners be notified?
When is the scholarship award ceremony?
A committee representing all of the scholarship partners will meet the first week in April each year and select the seniors in each high school who have donated the most hours of public service community volunteer work.
What is the program timetable - or what are the dates when service hours will be accepted?
Students may begin reporting service hours beginning Aug. 15 of their freshman year.
What are the scholarship criteria?
The only criterion that will be considered for these $500 scholarships is total documented public service community volunteer hours.
When will the scholarship money be sent to my college or university?
The money will be forwarded directly to the college or university in July of the year it is awarded. The funds will be available for the fall semester. You may use the scholarship money for tuition, fees or books, only.
How can I find out about more public service community volunteer opportunities?
You can continue to check our on-line database or the black vertical file in your high school counseling office to see if any new volunteer opportunities have been posted.
What does it mean to "Graduate with Service"?
If you complete at least 50 hours of documented public service, you will be recognized as a "Graduate with Service." Recognition varies by school as well as AVS certificate.
What does it mean to "Graduate with High Service"?
If you complete at least 100 hours of documented public service, you will be recognized as a "Graduate with High Service." Recognition will be determined by local schools as well as by AVS certificate.
What is the American Congressional Service Award?
How will it be determined?
When will it be awarded?
One student at each high school within the 11 school districts will receive the American Congressional Service Award. This award will be based on the total number of documented public service volunteer hours and the student with the most hours will receive the award. Congressmen Gene Green and Kevin Brady will sponsor these awards.
Can public service that I do for other organizations count for this program?
Yes. For example, if you do volunteer work for the National Charity League, Symphony Junior Guild, hospital junior auxiliaries, a religious institution, your school, scouting, or any other 501 © 3, nonprofit organization and the work is directed toward helping other people in need, you may turn all documented service hours in to this program.
How can public service improve my chances of college and post graduate admission?
Many colleges and universities consider public service when determining members of their freshman class. Research shows that students who volunteer when they are young are more likely to volunteer when they are adults. Colleges and universities are always looking for good alumni who will be active and will make a considerable contribution to society.