Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about NYVSA certification and awards.

Which organizations can certify volunteer hours?

Registered nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, hospitals, or government agencies that host volunteer programs, and faith-based institutions for non-religious service activities (e.g., food drives, tutoring, community clean-up). School clubs may certify hours only for time spent teaching or mentoring junior students - not general participation hours.

Who must certify my hours?

An authorized supervisor or coordinator from the organization - not a parent or relative. An adult signature along with contact information (email and phone) is required. For school clubs, both a club officer and the club advisor (usually a teacher) must certify.

What proof do I need to provide?

You may upload a signed NYVSA Volunteer Certification Form, an official letter on the organization's letterhead confirming hours and duties, or a printed digital portal log (e.g., HandsOn Connect, GivePulse) with an authorized signature. Screenshots are not acceptable.

Can my supervisor verify online without downloading an app?

Yes. After you submit, your supervisor receives an email with a secure link. They click the link to review your submission details and confirm your hours - no app or account needed.

How are hours counted cumulatively?

All qualifying volunteer hours earned at any point during grades 6-12 are added together. If you earned 150 hours in grade 7 and 200 more in grade 10, your total is 350 cumulative hours - enough for the Service Recognition Award.

Can I count hours from multiple organizations?

Yes. Submit a separate certification for each organization. All approved hours are added to your cumulative total.

What activities do NOT count?

Paid work or internships (even at nonprofits), hours already counted toward another program (e.g., Boy Scouts, religious confirmation), mandatory school service hours tied to discipline or court judgments, religious instruction or worship activities, household chores, and work for family businesses.

Is there any fee to apply?

No. There is no fee to apply for NYVSA recognition. The program is free for all volunteers. This will never change.

Can students under 13 apply?

Yes, students in grade 6 and above may apply regardless of age. For students under 13, we collect only the minimum information necessary for certification and handle all data according to applicable youth privacy laws. Parents may contact us with questions about data handling.

How long does it take to get approved?

After your supervisor verifies your hours, our team typically reviews submissions within 5-10 business days. You can track your status in real time on your dashboard.

What if my supervisor doesn't respond?

The verification email remains valid for 60 days. If your supervisor hasn't responded, please follow up with them directly and ask them to check their inbox (and spam folder). If you need to update the supervisor email, contact us.

When will the scholarship program launch?

The NYVSA scholarship is planned to launch after the program's first 2-3 years of operation. Only Rising Leader award recipients (1,000+ cumulative hours) will be eligible. Details will be announced on this website.