Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 129— - NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE STATE GRANT PROGRAM › Part Part III— - National Service Participants › § 12591
Defines who counts as a participant in a federally supported national service program. To be a participant, a person must meet the program’s task-related eligibility rules, be chosen for a position, be at least 17 years old when service starts, have a high school diploma or equivalent (or agree to get one unless the program waives that after an education check), and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident. The diploma rule also allows a person enrolled in higher education on an “ability to benefit” basis and eligible under section 1091 of title 20. For youth corps programs, the same rules apply except the age rule: participants may be 16 through 25, inclusive, when service begins. The Corporation can waive the diploma requirement if the program’s independent evaluation shows the person cannot obtain a diploma or equivalent.
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The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 12591
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73