Benefits Summary

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Named after Eli Segal, one of the pioneers of the national service movement, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is given to AmeriCorps members who successfully complete a term of service.

The award amounts vary according to the term of service:

Full-time (at least 1700 hours for a $4,725 award)

Half-time (at least 900 for a $2,362.50 award)

Minimum time (between 300 and 449 hours for a $1,000 award)

Eligibility

Members must successfully complete the Volunteer and AmeriCorps components of your program.

If you leave early for reasons other than compelling personal and circumstance, you will not receive any portion of the education award.

Payment

The award is not payable to the member. It is not a check or scholarship. It is an education voucher that can only be used to repay "qualified" student loans or educational expenses incurred as of your enrollment in AmeriCorps.

The award at this time is not transferrable to another person.*

Payments made from Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards are considered taxable income in the year it is payed out.

The National Service Trust pays out the award, not CNVS.

Members request their award through the My AmeriCorps Portal.

* The Serve America Act will make the award transferrable for members 55+ when implemented.

Other Limitations

An individual can receive only two education awards in their lifetime.

You have 7 years to use the education award.

It can only be used to repay "qualified student loans." See the forbearance page for information on eligible loans.

The award cannot be used to repay private loans.

See the Member Handbook for more information on limitations.

Payment of Educational Expenses

The ed award can be used to pay educational expenses in "qualified" institutions. In some cases the ed award may be used in foreign schools.

See the Member Handbook for details.

Schools that Match the Education Award

Planning on going to college after your term of service? There are many schools that match the education award. For a complete listing visit:
http://www.americorps.org/for_individuals/benefits/ed_award_match.asp

Questions on the ed award?

Once you have been exited from CNVS AmeriCorps, the National Service Trust receives the information and is responsible for disbursement of the award.

If you have specific questions on how to use your education award, contact the National Service Trust directly.

Toll-free at 1-888-507-5962

edawardvoucher@cns.gov

Resources:

Using your AmeriCorps Education Award http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/current/education_award.asp

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tutorial http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/edaward/index.shtml

Maximizing the Value of the AmeriCorps Education Award http://nationalserviceresources.org/practices/17357

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