Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§12655i Age and citizenship criteria for enrollment

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 129— - NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE STATE GRANT PROGRAM › § 12655i

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Funded programs must enroll only people who, when they join, are 16 to 25 years old (summer programs can enroll 14 to 21-year-olds) and who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Programs must make sure educationally and economically disadvantaged youth—like those in foster care who are aging out, youth with disabilities, youth with limited English or basic skills, and homeless youth—are offered chances to enroll. A small number of people over 25 may be added for special skills, and programs are encouraged to include senior citizens. Programs may spend up to 2% of their funds on joint projects with senior groups so seniors can mentor youth. Agencies may also limit enrollment to any narrower age subgroup within the listed ranges.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §12655i

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Enrollment in programs that receive assistance under this division shall be limited to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are—
(1)not less than 16 years nor more than 25 years of age, except that summer programs may include individuals not less than 14 years nor more than 21 years of age at the time of the enrollment of such individuals; and
(2)citizens or nationals of the United States or lawful permanent resident aliens of the United States.
(b)Programs that receive assistance under this division shall ensure that educationally and economically disadvantaged youth, including youth in foster care who are becoming too old for foster care, youth with disabilities, youth with limited English proficiency, youth with limited basic skills or learning disabilities and homeless youth, are offered opportunities to enroll.
(c)Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), program agencies may enroll a limited number of special corps members over age 25 so that the corps may draw on their special skills to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. Programs are encouraged to consider senior citizens as special corps members.
(d)Program agencies shall use not more than 2 percent of amounts received under this division to conduct joint projects with senior citizens organizations to enable senior citizens to serve as mentors for youth participants.
(e)Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit any program agency from limiting enrollment to any age subgroup within the range specified in subsection (a)(1).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 101–610, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3127, known as the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 12501 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 12550 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 103–82, § 101(a).

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–384 substituted “14” for “15”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 12655i

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73