Frostburg State University

After students successfully complete a term of service for one of the programs listed below, they will be eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Students who complete the ECHOSTARS program, will also be eligible for a $500 Financial Aid award from Frostburg State University to be applied towards the following years room and board. A textbook scholarship may also be available for ECHOSTARS members through the Frostburg State University Foundation Opportunity Grant (subject to student eligibility and fund availability).

ECHOSTARS Living-Learning-Serving First-Year Program

The ECHOSTARS is a Living-Learning-Serving Program designed to provide first-year students with an opportunity to serve alongside each other and community members at afterschool programs, food pantry’s, and other area non-profits. Students in the ECHOSTARS live together in Gray Hall, attend designated classes together, and serve at least two days a week together making an impact on the local community. The ECHOSTARS provides first-year students with a sense of community and companionship. Alumni of the ECHOSTARS have gone on to hold many leadership positions on campus and continue to make an impact long after their AmeriCorps service ends.

ECHOSTARS Team Leader and RisingSTAR

Students who wish to continue serving as AmeriCorps members after their first-year can apply to be a Team Leader or RisingSTAR. These opportunities provide upper-class students the chance to continue serving while acting as a mentor to the first-year students. Team Leaders continue to live in Gray Hall while RisingSTARS may choose to live elsewhere on-campus or off-campus.

PALS Program

FSU Education Majors can also participate in the PALS Program. The PALS Program, hosted both at Main Campus and the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown, provides Education Majors with additional opportunities to serve students while gaining more classroom experience.