National Service Schools are a great option for AmeriCorps members looking to use their educational award. Adler University in Illinois, Alaska Pacific University, American University in DC, and the American University School of International Service are all eligible institutions. AmeriCorps members who successfully complete a term of service are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This award can be used to pay for college or vocational school, to repay eligible student loans, or even transferred to children or grandchildren.
The dollar amount of the award is linked to the maximum amount of AmeriCorps members in the U. S. and can be used for up to seven years from the date it is received. In addition, some colleges and universities will even match their AmeriCorps Education Award.
In Minnesota, this includes the University of Minnesota-Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Augsburg College, and Concordia-St. Paul. There is no industry-wide standard for matching awards; some schools match the amount of the educational award and some schools offer scholarships in fixed amounts that remain constant regardless of the number of educational awards won. Some institutions offer scholarships on an ongoing basis, while others offer one-time awards. Check with your school or university for their policy and how matching funds apply.
For decades, these payments to education have strengthened institutions and helped Americans pursue their dream of higher education by making it more accessible and affordable. Of course, you can use the education award to pay for associate, undergraduate, or graduate school tuition at a qualifying school. NOLS accepts AmeriCorps educational awards for courses and can even match enrollment to a one-semester or one-year course. Global Service Corps offers an overseas service experience with optional college credits and the ability to use your education grant to pay for program fees, airline tickets and related expenses. They offer a variety of incentives, such as matching tuition funding with the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. It may take some work to find the ideal school in an attractive location that accepts your education award.
AmeriCorps can provide an estimate of how much your institution has received in Segal AmeriCorps Education Award payments over the past 25 years. College credits are also available for all programs, although you don't need to earn credits to use the educational award. Upon successful completion of the service, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. You can receive college credit through the University of Montana for most courses and use your education grant to pay for them. Each scholarship recipient receives a stipend and benefits, as well as the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of their service. AmeriCorps members have access to a variety of options when it comes to using their educational award.
National Service Schools are just one option; there are also universities that match their educational award and organizations that offer scholarships on an ongoing basis or one-time awards. With so many options available, it's important to research each institution's policy on matching funds and how they apply to your educational award. With these resources available, it's easier than ever for AmeriCorps members to pursue their dream of higher education by making it more accessible and affordable.