20 U.S.C. § 1070c–4 — “Community service” defined

For the purpose of this subpart, the term “community service” means services, including direct service, planning, and applied research which are identified by an institution of higher education^*, through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations, and which— (1) are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to the needs of such residents, including but not limited to, such fields as health care, child care, education, literacy training, welfare, social services, public safety, crime prevention and control, transportation, recreation, housing and neighborhood improvement, rural development, and community improvement; and (2) provide participating students with work-learning opportunities related to their educational or vocational programs or goals.