Rewards of volunteering include:
- Helping a child in need.
- Making a difference in your community.
- Experience in working with young people.
- Becoming part of a team.
- Earning an education award to pay for college.
- Looks great on a resume.
Aside from the benefit of helping young people, and serving your community, members receive a living allowance and an educational award. 900 hour commitments may receive up to $7,000 for a living allowance and an educational award of up to $2,675. Our 450 hour commitments may receive up to $3,500 for a living allowance and an educational award of up to $1,337.5.
-Segal AmeriCorps Education Award- The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service benefit received by AmeriCorps members, including those supported through VISTA and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Upon successful completion of a term of service in an AmeriCorps position, members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,350, depending upon the program in which members serve, the length of their service, and when they serve. The education awards may be used to pay college costs or to repay qualified student loans. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 made changes to the amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Beginning in fiscal year 2010, the maximum amount is now tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant. Currently, members may earn up to two awards; they have seven years to use this benefit. Since the inception of AmeriCorps in 1994, more than a half million alumni have earned more than $1.7 billion in education awards. The award, which was designed to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to seek postsecondary education opportunities, serves as a powerful recruitment tool for individuals to join AmeriCorps. Studies show that AmeriCorps alumni, with their commitment to service, also make excellent students.
A growing number of higher education institutions, in order to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to enroll in their institutions, are matching the education award with scholarships and / or academic credits. Current List of Institutions that Match the Education Award can be found at: http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/highered/ed_award.asp
