Title 42 › Chapter 129— NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE › Subchapter I— NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE STATE GRANT PROGRAM › Part III— National Service Participants › § 12591
Defines who counts as a participant in national service programs that get federal help. A person is a participant if the program picks them and they meet the program’s job-related rules, are at least 17 years old when service starts, have a high school diploma or agree to get one (unless the program’s education check waives that), did not leave school to join the program, or are in college on an "ability to benefit" basis and eligible for aid under section 1091 of title 20, and are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident. For youth corps run with this aid, the same rules apply except for age: the person must be 16 through 25, inclusive, when service begins. The Corporation can waive the diploma rule if an 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
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Reference
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 12591
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60