Living Stipend: While serving in AmeriCorps, members earn a modest living allowance and are eligible to place their qualified student loans into forbearance during their service term. Full time members are eligible for health and child care benefits (must qualify for child care benefits). Education Award: In exchange for a successful term of service, AmeriCorps members earn an Education Award that helps to pay for college or pay back student loans. Professional Experience & Career Development: AmeriCorps is a pathway to economic opportunity that provides members with valuable skills such as skills of leadership and problem-solving that employers are looking for.

To be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps member, an individual must: Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States (individuals who are in the United States under a student, work or tourist visa are not eligible to become an AmeriCorps member); Be at least 17 years old (there is no upper age limit); High school diploma or GED or agree in writing to obtain one while serving;

A typical term of service can last from just a few months for a minimum time term or up to a year for a full-time member, depending upon your project. The majority of programs offer full and half-time opportunities: Full Time Members: must complete at least 1700 hours within a 12 month period. Half Time Members: must complete at least 900 hours within a 9-12 month period.

Members can serve a maximum of four (4) terms

A member may earn the value of up to two (2) full-time education awards

To learn more about what’s available, eligibility, responsibilities, and new grant opportunities, visit the funding section of the site.

AmeriCorps strengthens nonprofits, community organizations, schools & and the clients they serve. AmeriCorps members help organizations expand services, build capacity, raise funds, develop new partnerships, and create innovative, sustainable programs.

Applying to become a standalone AmeriCorps program requires a 501c3 nonprofit organization as a legal applicant to fill out a grant application. AmeriCorps programs are also required to secure a certain percentage of matching funds of the amount they are requesting from AmeriCorps, and they are required to request of a minimum of 10 AC members. Applicants would also need a full-time Program Director to manage the grant requirements and program operations.

AmeriCorps members receive a set living allowance which should be treated the same as a salary. Members must earn the same amount each pay period regardless of the number of hours served.

Visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/impact-our-nation/state-profiles to find an AmeriCorps program in your area!

Visit the National Service Knowledge Network at: http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources