Are you a New York State resident interested in high quality opportunities in community service activities in exchange for an education award? AmeriCorps is the national service initiative that provides funding for nonprofit organizations, agencies and educational institutions to run local programs that engage individuals from all backgrounds in community service activities. More than 2,500 AmeriCorps members serve annually in New York State, and more than 75,000 serve nationally. They address the most pressing education, public safety, homeland security, and human and environmental challenges facing our communities.

Who Is Eligible?

After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members who are enrolled in the National Service Trust are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use your education award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans.

What Awards Are Available?

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act made changes to the maximum amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The amount is now tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grant. For terms of service that are approved using 2009 funds (or earlier funds) the award continues to be $4,725 for a year of full-time service, and is pro-rated for part-time service based on the full-time amount. For terms of service that are supported with 2010 funds the award value increases to $5,350. You can make payments from your award in full or part, and can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to use your award.

When Should You Apply?

It varies. Each AmeriCorps site is run locally, so recruitment strategies, living allowances, service projects and program service designs vary from one site to the next.

How Do You Find Out More Information?

Information about New York State programs can be found by contacting:
NYS Office for National and Community Service
Office of Children & Family Services
52 Washington St.
Rensselaer, NY 12144
or by visiting AmeriCorps