Volunteer Requirements

How many hours do Students Need to Complete?

The required number of volunteer hours is adjusted based on the number of years a student is enrolled at AHS or Pacelli. (This also prorates their scholarship eligibility percentage).

• Attended 4 years – 50 hours required (100% scholarship eligibility)

• Attended 3 years – 37.5 hours required (75% scholarship eligibility)

• Attended 2 years – 25 hours required (50% scholarship eligibility)

• Attended 1 year – 12.5 hours required (25% scholarship eligibility)

Dates & Deadlines

• Students can start completing volunteer hours as soon as they complete the 8th Grade.

• Volunteer Hours must be completed and approved by August 1st

  • Each Year - Hours need to be entered into GetConnected by August 1st for the previous academic year.

    For example: if a student volunteered as a freshman – they cannot then enter those hours as a senior. This is because it is very difficult for anyone to confirm that hours were completed 4 years ago.

  • Volunteer Hours completed, submitted or approved after August 1st must go through the appeal process. Appeal approvals are not guaranteed and should be submitted before the start of the semester students are seeking scholarship payment.

• To be included in the AHS/Pacelli Awards Night students must meet the academic criteria and volunteer hours must be approved before April 25th of a student’s senior year. 

  • *Students may be eligible for THFAAS after this date but they will not receive a certificate or be recognized at the Awards Night ceremony unless completed by this date.

What is Volunteer Work?

Volunteer work is an unpaid activity that benefits or is a service to the community, specifically working with non-profits. Providing a service to an individual who may need assistance due to physical ailments, handicaps, age, or illness may also be approved.

What is a non-profit organization?

A non-profit organization is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in contrary with an entity that operates as a business aiming to generate a profit for its owners.

What is Not Approvable

• Babysitting (providing childcare for non-profit organizations events/activities are acceptable)

• Pet sitting or House sitting

• Farm work

• Helping your family/family members or family business (this is family responsibility, not volunteering.)

• Volunteering at your place of employment instead of receiving payment

• Volunteering in a for-profit business.

  • Performing a service at a for-profit business that is servicing a non-profit is acceptable. Example: Pizza Ranch bussing tables for a sports team/club would be approvable.

• Helping with household duties; such as helping siblings with homework or doing chores

• Pep Band/Marching Band/Choir – school activity.

• Court ordered volunteerism

Note:

• Hours cannot be completed during school hours. Exception is a study-hall, must be pre-approved through high school point of contact.

• Hours cannot be counted for both volunteer and class credit.

• Exceptions for REACH and school sponsored blood drives (up to 1 hr per event if during school day).

Not sure if an opportunity will count as volunteerism? Ask your high school contact:

APS: Jane Carlson, Pacelli: Laura Sheedy