AmeriCorps Benefits & How to Apply

 

AMERICORPS MEMBER BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award – The Education Award is provided to an AmeriCorps member who has successfully completed a required term of service in an approved national service position and meets all program eligibility requirements. For the 2013/14 program year, a member who successfully completes a 1,700 hour term of service receives an education award of $5,645.00. A member who successfully completes a 900 hour term of service receives an education award of $2,288.00. No individual will receive more than the value of two 1,700 hour education awards. All education awards are released from the National Service Trust.

Education awards can be used to repay qualified student loans, pay current educational expenses at a qualified school or pay current educational expenses while participating in an approved school-to-work program.

Training – Members receive training throughout their term of service on various topics as defined by their program, service-site agencies, and local partnerships. The AmeriCorps training topics include, but are not limited to: Orientation, Mandated Child Abuse Reporting, Cultural Awareness, Conflict Resolution, Professional Boundaries & Confidentiality, Active Citizens, and Life After AmeriCorps. The goal of the AmeriCorps trainings is for members to increase knowledge and skills, gain insight into their community, and understand the power of national service. This guiding and motivating philosophy makes a difference in the lives of AmeriCorps members as well as the children, youth, and families they serve.​

Living Allowance– AmeriCorps members receive a pre-determined living allowance to offset cost of living expenses while serving in the program. The living allowance is determined by the AmeriCorps Program and Service site agencies.

Childcare – AmeriCorps members who serve in a full-time capacity  may receive subsidized childcare while they are participating in national service. In order to qualify , the member’s family must be income eligible and the child(ren)’s caregiver must be considered a legal provider in California. Children under the age of 13 are eligible for coverage.

Healthcare – The CAP Center makes healthcare available to AmeriCorps members who are not insured at the commencement of service, lose existing healthcare as a result of service, or lose healthcare through no deliberate act of their own during service. The CAP Center’s AmeriCorps healthcare plan is 100% compliant with the Affordable Care Act.

Loan Forbearance – AmeriCorps members are eligible to have the repayment of certain student loans postponed during their term of service while they are earning an education award. Additionally, upon successful completion of their term of service, the National Service Trust will pay a portion of the interest that accrued on student loans while the member was serving.

Workers’ Compensation – All AmeriCorps members are covered by Workers’ Compensation provided through the CAP Center as part of the AmeriCorps Program.

HOW TO APPLY TO AMERICORPS

AmeriCorps members are selected by the partner service sites to participate in the AmeriCorps program.

Applicants must meet the following criteria and provide the required documentation in order to be eligible to enroll in the AmeriCorps program:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States (Please note that individuals who are in the United States under a student, work, or tourist visa are not eligible to become AmeriCorps members. Similarly, individuals who have refugee status but nothing indicating permanent resident status are not eligible to become AmeriCorps members.);
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service
  • Complete an application packet, provide a minimum of two references and participate in a successful interview;
  • Complete the National Service Criminal History Check, consisting of:
    • fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice;
    • fingerprint clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
    • clearance from the National Sex Offender Public Registry.

For more information or referral to a service site, please contact the Child Abuse Prevention Center at (916) 244-1900.