Students earn college money in exchange for community service

  • Published
  • By Cathy Sterry
  • USFJ Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Youth Employment Skills (YES) Program is offering up to $1,000 toward post-secondary education to dependents, grades 9-12, of active duty Air Force members. 

The YES program offers students an opportunity to earn money for college and allows them to have a positive impact in their community through volunteering and community service. 

The program coordinated through the base Youth Director is year-round, but the best time to apply is during the spring, according to Bennie Luck, 374th Services, Services Youth Program at Yokota Air Base. 

There is no application deadline or fees. 

Students enrolled in the YES Program are allowed to "bank" $4 per service hour up to 250 hours, for a grand total of $1,000 dollars. The hours are collected over a period of four years, or until the graduation of the participating student. The money may only be used for tuition, books and other direct education expenses. 

The money can be collected after the student submits the Student Disbursement Form, a diploma or GED, and an outstanding bill or invoice from a post-secondary program. The participating student must enroll in college or a post-secondary education program and access their funds within one year of high school graduation, or all dollar credits will be forfeited. 

Interested Misawa students may contact Abraham Hobson at the Wakasa Teen Center at 226-2170.