The "Service Starts At Home Act" aims to foster student participation in local government and volunteer service through new grant and scholarship programs. It directs the Secretary of Education to establish a competitive grant program for eligible entities, such as States or local governments. These grants will support paid internships within units of local government for both secondary school students and qualified undergraduate students, ensuring the work has educational value and providing accommodations for interns. The bill also creates a comprehensive scholarship program for volunteer service , with funds allocated to States based on student enrollment. States will award competitive scholarships to students demonstrating a commitment to volunteer work, requiring a minimum of 100 volunteer hours in the preceding year. Scholarship amounts are tiered, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 based on hours completed, and can be used for the cost of attendance at institutions of higher education. A federal supplemental scholarship program allows the Secretary to reserve up to 20% of funds to award additional scholarships directly to students, prioritizing those who have not received a state scholarship. Additionally, the Act mandates a program for the Secretary to recognize schools and institutions for their overall volunteer achievement and contributions to community service. The bill authorizes significant appropriations for both programs from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.