How does the education award process work?
It's online!
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has developed an online "paperless" system for distributing education award vouchers to members upon completion of their service.
To access your education award online, you have to sign up!
Ask your national service program supervisor about the online voucher system. You can learn more about it and sign up even while you are still serving. (VISTA members must attend a PSO before they can sign up for the online payment system).
Payments are made directly to the loan holder or school—not to you. You can check your online account to see when payments are made and to check your balance.
What if I finished serving a few years ago?
The education award used to be a paper-based system. If you finished serving before the online system was established (and still have a balance on your award), you might still have a paper award voucher.
Your best bet in using your award is to sign up for the online system and process your award that way. The system will recognize you, even if it’s been a while since you served.
