IU Indianapolis is one of the most engaged campuses in the nation, and the Honors College prides itself in the value of engaged learning. Since our mission includes preparing honors scholars to make a difference in their local and global communities, participating in service is essential to the honors experience.
All students receiving an Honors College scholarship are required to complete volunteer hours each academic year and can submit their volunteer hours using our volunteer verification form below. The deadline for the submission of volunteer hours is the last day of the spring semester. Volunteer hours conducted after August 1 count toward your volunteer hours requirement for the upcoming academic year.
Submit volunteer hours
Benefits of community service
There are numerous benefits to participating in community service, both for yourself and others. These are some of the most important benefits of volunteering:
- Gives you a way to help others
- Improves your community
- Strengthens your resume and applications
- Is a way to meet new friends
- Can lead to personal growth
- Gives you a way to gain work experience
Details about community service
The Honors College follows the community service guidelines set forth by the IU Indianapolis Human Resources Administration, which states that "the volunteer service cannot promote religion, influence legislation or policy, or influence election to public office."
In addition, volunteer hours should be completed in person between the months of August and May at a local nonprofit organization, a campus entity (such as Paws Pantry, Ronald McDonald House, Jagathon, or one of the local hospitals), or any local organization that engages in charitable work in the community. All acceptable activities must be verifiable by a volunteer representative from the organization who oversees your participation in the activity. You cannot receive monetary compensation or academic credit for your volunteer service, and we are no longer accepting virtual volunteer hours.
Below you will find examples that are acceptable experiences for volunteer hours, as well as examples that are NOT acceptable experiences for volunteer hours.
Have questions?
If you're uncertain whether an experience will count toward your volunteer hours, please consult your honors advisor about it prior to submitting the volunteer verification form.