FAQ

Do I have to return to the high school I attended?

The Alum Service Corps is at the service of the 5 Jesuit high schools of the Missouri Province and Loyola Academy Jesuit Middle School. An applicant's preferences for placement and academic competencies are taken into consideration along with the specific needs of the schools. Decisions about placement are made by an ASC Admissions Committee in concert with the principals of the schools. The more flexible applicants are about where they serve, the more likely they will be accepted into the program.

Can women apply to ASC?

 

How many applications are accepted each year?

There is not a firm number for how many will be accepted, since the needs of the schools vary each year. The program usually places between 12-15 volunteers at the five domestic schools of the Missouri Province and Loyola Academy Jesuit Middle School.

Can I apply if I attended a Jesuit high school outside the Missouri Province?

Yes! The ASC is a collaborative between the Jesuits of the Missouri Province and the Jesuit schools of the Missouri Province. However, applications are considered from college graduates who attended any Jesuit high school.  

What are you looking for in the application?

The ASC is looking for graduates of Jesuit high schools who have a desire to give back for what they received in their Jesuit education. Men and women who continue to grow in the values of the "Grad at Grad" are encouraged to apply.

Can I defer my student loans?

Most ASC volunteers have no trouble deferring Federal student loans, e.g. Stafford, but applicants should research how best to defer or manage non-federal loans while applying to ASC. If your loans are through your school or otherwise private-based, you should contact your school or bank directly. The demands of the year of service are such that volunteers do not have time to work another job.

Is ASC just for Catholics?

At its core the ASC is a service experience that finds its source and summit in Ignatian spirituality. ASC volunteers gather weekly with the Jesuit community for Mass and dinner, and commit themselves to growing spiritually throughout the year by living simply and within a community of other ASC volunteers. ASC volunteers make retreats throughout the course of the year and should be open to a Eucharistic spirituality grounded in the Jesuit tradition.

What should I do with my car during the ASC year?

ASC volunteers share a community car provided by the school along with insurance and a gas card that can only be used for the community car. If volunteers bring their own car to the ASC community they must pay all related expenses, including insurance. 

What should I expect in the interview?

After submitting all application materials, we will contact you about the possibility of an interview. Interviews typically last between 1 to 2 hours and consist of questions and conversation loosely structured around themes from the "Grad at Grad".

When does the ASC year begin and end?

The summer orientation is normally scheduled for the last two weeks in July, ending on the Feast of St. Ignatius (July 31). The move-in and move-out dates for each ASC community are determined in conversation with the school's Principal. The ASC year usually concludes with a wilderness backpacking retreat in Colorado the last weekend of May or first weekend of June, and with the completion of responsibilities entrusted to the volunteer by the school.