Coastal Carolina University will enroll 12 to 15 students in the S.C. Healthy Families AmeriCorps grant program.

As one of 14 college and university members of the South Carolina Campus Compact, CCU has been selected to participate in the statewide program that will provide up to $28,000 in student scholarships each year. The Healthy Families program will recruit 250 students to enroll as part-time AmeriCorps members.

"Each student who completes 300 hours [of volunteer service] will receive a scholarship," says Katie Zahm, one of two AmeriCorps volunteer services coordinators on campus who work to connect students to campus and community volunteer organizations. Once they meet the 300-hour requirement, students will receive a $1,132 Education Award that can be applied toward outstanding federal student loans or the cost of attendance at a college or university.

To participate in AmeriCorps, members partner with a wide range of nonprofit groups to provide their communities with nutrition and wellness education and outreach activities. Members are instructed in the national programs Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and

Nutrition (We Can!), a national childhood anti-obesity movement. They also receive CPR, shelter and disaster preparedness training.

The grant was awarded by the United Way of South Carolina and the Commission on National Community Service.