Students: AmeriCorps

Owned by Jon Cunningham (Deactivated)
Last updated: Aug 01, 2024 by Aeoleon Bryant
3 min read

Summary

AmeriCorps is a program under The Corporation for National and Community Service that engages college students and young adults in community service. Through programs like AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC, members contribute to their communities in various ways, including tutoring, disaster recovery, and poverty alleviation. Members who complete their service are eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which supports their pursuit of higher education.

AmeriCorps Programs

AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program aimed at fighting poverty. Established in 1965 and incorporated into AmeriCorps in 1993, VISTA members serve full-time for one year at nonprofit organizations or government agencies. They focus on improving literacy, health services, business creation, and community strengthening.

AmeriCorps NCCC

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time residential program for individuals aged 18-24. It focuses on direct, team-based national and community service. NCCC members commit to a 10-month service period, working in teams of eight to twelve on regional projects. They receive training in CPR, first aid, public safety, and other skills before starting their service.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Eligibility and Usage

Upon completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The award can be transferred to a qualified family member and may be used to pay for current educational expenses, higher education training, or to repay qualified student loans, including those under the G.I. Bill and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

Qualified Institutions

Eligible institutions include higher education institutions (including graduate and professional programs) and qualified vocational schools participating in the Department of Education's Title IV student aid programs.

Award Amount and Limitations

Since 2010, the maximum award amount is equivalent to the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant. Recipients can earn up to the value of two full-time education awards and must use them within seven years. The aggregate value of awards an individual can receive is capped at two full-time awards.

Additional Service and Stipend

Individuals who have received the maximum award value may serve an additional term in AmeriCorps and receive a cash stipend upon successful completion.

Payment Process

AmeriCorps members and educational institutions use the My AmeriCorps online system to manage Segal Education Award payments. Members request payment online, and institutions approve requests through the system. Approved requests are processed electronically by the U.S. Treasury. AmeriCorps Trust Staff intervenes only in cases of discrepancies.

Conclusion

AmeriCorps provides valuable opportunities for young people to contribute to their communities while gaining skills and educational benefits. The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award offers substantial support for members pursuing higher education, reinforcing AmeriCorps' commitment to fostering a culture of service and learning.

For the latest information, visit AmeriCorps.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students: AmeriCorps

This article provides basic information on AmeriCorps.

Every day, college students help their communities in a variety of ways, from tutoring and mentoring children, to raising funds for worthy causes, to helping families recover from hurricanes and other disasters. AmeriCorps is a program of The Corporation for National and Community Service and is committed to building on this momentum and supporting a culture of service on college campuses.

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service benefit received by AmeriCorps members and is supported through (1) AmeriCorps Vista and (2) AmeriCorps NCCC. This award was designed to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to seek post-secondary education opportunities. A number of higher education institutions are now matching the education award with scholarships/academic credits.

  • (1) What is AmeriCorps Vista? AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Authorized in 1964 and founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and strengthen community groups,

  • (2) What is AmeriCorps NCCC? The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is a full-time residential program for men and women, ages 18-24. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. AmeriCorps NCCC requires an intensive, 10-month commitment. Members serve in teams of eight to twelve and are assigned to projects throughout the region served by their campus. They are trained in CPR, first aid, public safety, and other skills before beginning their first service project.

Who is Eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award?

  • Upon successful completion of a term of service in an AmeriCorps position, members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, depending upon the program in which members serve, the length of their service, and when they serve. The awards may also be transferred to a qualified family member.

What institutions are qualified to make the award?

  • Qualified institutions are institutions of higher education (including graduate and professional programs), as well as qualified vocational schools that currently participate in the Department of Education's Title IV student aid programs.

How can the award be used?

  • The education awards may be used to pay current educational expenses, higher education training, or to repay qualified student loans (including those approved under the G.I Bill and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

What expenses are considered to be current educational expenses?

  • Education expenses are considered "current" if they were incurred on or after the date the member began his or her term of AmeriCorps service.

What is the amount of the award?

  • Beginning in the year 2010, the maximum amount is now equivalent to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant. Recipients may earn up to the value of two full-time education awards and they have seven years from the date they earned each award to use this benefit.

Is there a limit on the value of education awards that an individual is eligible to receive?

  • Yes. An individual may not receive more than the aggregate value of two full time awards.

May an individual who has already received the aggregate value of two education awards serve another term in AmeriCorps and receive a cash stipend for the service?

  • Yes. The individual may serve a third term and accept the cash stipend upon successful completion

How is payment of the award made?

  • My AmeriCorps is an online system that allows AmeriCorps members and financial and education institutions to submit and process Segal Education Award payments:

  1. Members log in to the system and create a request online for any of their available Segal AmeriCorps Education Award benefits. The system forwards the request to the Institution for approval.

  2. The Institution's representative will log into the system to view all pending requests. The representative will then process the request online.

  3. The automatically approved requests will be sent to the US Treasury for payment and the payment will be sent electronically. The Trust Staff of AmeriCorps will become involved in the payment process only if there are discrepancies.

For the latest information visit https://americorps.gov/.