Getting the Most from the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Demystify the education award and explain how it can be used in traditional and nontraditional ways
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is an incentive for recruiting and retaining members, but getting the most value out of it can be complicated. We've created a handbook for you to print out and give to your members. The handbook covers external uses of the education award at schools or with lending agencies. For information on how individual awards are processed, see the official CNCS web site. To learn more about (or sign up for) the AmeriCorps Online Payment System, click here.
In addition, you can find a set of tips and process notes for creating an education award training for members on your own.
Refer your AmeriCorps and VISTA members to two online tutorials designed specifically for them:
- Education Award is a step-by-step tutorial to help members maximize their education award.
- What's Next provides tools and resources to help members serve and transition to the next stage of life.
Alert! The Serve America Act implemented on 10/01/09 changes policy in this area. The handbook and tutorial linked to this page will be updated to reflect the new policy in the near future.
For VISTA and NCCC members commencing service after October 1, 2009: Full-time education award amount tied to the Pell Grant. Current amount: $5,350.
For AmeriCorps State and National: Full-time education award amount will increase for members starting service in Summer 2010.
New members 55 and older at the time they begin service can give their award to a child, grandchild, or foster child. Child must meet citizenship requirements for AmeriCorps and attain a high school diploma before using. Recipients have ten years to use the award.
In the future, Members will be allowed serve multiple terms and receive education awards up to the amount of two full-time awards. This change is not yet in effect.
Go on to Tips for Preparing an Education Award Training
…
