National Community Service Awards

Good News for Student Volunteers!

The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) has been on a temporary pause since May 27, 2025. According to the official PVSA website, the pause was initiated by AmeriCorps, and there is currently no announced date for the program to resume.

Students who want to continue documenting their service and receive national recognition have another opportunity: the National Community Service Awards, sponsored by Youth Service America (YSA) and administered through InnerView. The awards recognize high school and college students for their community service and civic engagement.

2026–2027 National Community Service Awards

For the 2026–2027 award year, community service completed between June 1, 2026 and April 15, 2027 can count toward the awards. Eligible activities can include volunteering, tutoring, fundraising, collection drives, community cleanups, blood donation, and other forms of community service.

Merit Award — 40 hours • 4 activities

Honor Award — 60 hours • 8 activities
Ambassador Award — 100 hours • 12 activities 

How to Participate

Students create a free InnerView account and enter their service activities and hours. There is no separate award application, essay, or recommendation letter. As students document their service, they are automatically considered for eligible awards and can track their progress through their InnerView account.

For the 2026–2027 National Community Service Awards, all qualifying service must be entered in InnerView by midnight on April 15, 2027.

Learn More and Track Your Service with InnerView

Who Can Participate?

The National Community Service Awards are available to high school and college students. Participation is free, with no application, certificate, or shipping fees. After the award period, award recipients receive digital certificates through their InnerView accounts; high school students also receive a physical award packet sent to their schools.

Why Document Your Service?

Community service is first and foremost an opportunity to contribute to others and make a difference. Keeping an accurate record also helps students reflect on their impact and demonstrate sustained service, leadership, and initiative. InnerView provides a Service Resume that students can use to document these experiences for college, scholarship, internship, and employment applications.

About the President’s Volunteer Service Award

The President’s Volunteer Service Award has been temporarily paused since May 27, 2025. During the pause, new award orders and applications to become a PVSA Certifying Organization are not being accepted. The official PVSA website states that a date for resuming operations has not yet been announced.

President’s Volunteer Service Award — Official Program Update

About Youth Service America

Youth Service America (YSA) works to increase youth participation in volunteering, service, civic engagement, and leadership. YSA recognizes young people for service and encourages students to track their service hours through InnerView for the National Community Service Awards.

Youth Service America

National Community Service Awards — InnerView