For Volunteer Programs

How Can I Help? September 2009

Unexpected Ways to Use Your Education Award

By Kristen Wolford, Catholic Volunteer Network AEAP Assistant Coordinator

So, you’ve finished your service and you’ve logged on to the My AmeriCorps Portal.  Now what?  The Eli Segal Education Award is meant to serve as a tool for AmeriCorps alums to continue to build their potential as citizens for change in their communities.  But the question remains: How can members use the education award to accomplish their future goals?  Here are some exciting ways to utilize your education award that you may not know.

The Basics

Everyone knows that the AmeriCorps Education Award can be used for past and future educational expenses, but did you know that there are schools across the country offering special benefits for AmeriCorps alums?  For instance, over 50 institutions will match the education award when it is used for educational expenses.  This means that you can get twice the impact out of your award when you want to continue your education.  In simple terms, this means that a full time member could use their full $4,725 education award to attend college.  In turn, the matching institution could back up that money with an additional $4,725 for a potential total of $9,450 to go towards school.  Augsburg College in Minneapolis, for example, offers AmeriCorps Scholarships of $5,000 to qualifying AmeriCorps members and alums.  Alums interested in continuing education should research the educational options available to them in order to use their award to the best advantage. You may access the full list at www.americorpsalum.org (log in is required, but it is free to register.)

Also, the education award can be used to pay back student loans.  However, alums don’t have to make one lump payment using the full award towards their lending institution.  In fact, sometimes it’s not even in the best interest of the member to use the education award in this way.  A member can instead use the education award in small pieces to make monthly payments on their loans.  This way, the member can stretch their education award to its full advantage with the confidence that their loans are taken care of.  There are many different ways that alums can choose to use the education award towards student loans.  Members should consult the training materials offered by Catholic Volunteer Network/AEAP and AmeriCorps, as well as contact their lenders to determine the best course of action for paying back their loans. 

Non-Degree and Other Alternative Programs

You do want to use your education award to pay back student loans, but you’re not quite ready to go to graduate school.  Don’t worry!  You can use your award to go towards personal enrichment classes.  So brush up on your Italian or learn to take stunning digital photographs at your local community college.  Your education award can last for years this way, and you can gain plenty of new skills!

Keep in mind that members can use the education award at any Title IV school.  A Title IV school is any school that offers federal student aid.  Alums can enroll in a variety of different programs, as long as the institution is considered to be Title IV.  You can use your education award to become a star with acting, theater and film making by participating in programs sponsored by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  The AADA offers programs ranging from six-week intensive programs to full three year professional training programs. 

Alums can also use the education award to obtain a professional certificate in a variety of fields, such as massage therapy, cosmetology and the culinary arts.  The education award can even go towards classroom and field training to prepare for the Emergency Medical Technician State Certification exam.  Members can use the education award to learn a trade as well.  Many automotive schools, building and construction programs and CDL training courses will accept the education award.  Associate Degree programs are a good way to utilize the education award.  Alums can use the award to attend Mortuary Science school or for a Midwifery Education program. 

Even some non-Title IV schools will accept the education award.  For instance, the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming accepts the education award, but is not a Title IV school. 

Study Abroad

Since AmeriCorps is a domestic service program, one may think that alums can only use the education award for schools in the U.S.  Actually, the Title IV rule applies to overseas institutions as well.  Dozens of schools across the globe are listed as Title IV programs.  Even if a school overseas will not accept the education award, alums might still be able to apply for a federally backed student loan, and then use their education award to pay back that loan.  Alternatively, if an overseas school is not listed as a Title IV school, but the member still wishes to use their education award, they could enroll in a US-based program and study abroad through that school.  That way, their education award goes towards their tuition, but they can still have an overseas experience. 

Buy a New Computer!

The education award does not always have to go directly towards paying back loans or tuition.  Sometimes, the education award can be used to cover the additional cost of attendance not covered by a student’s financial aid package.  The cost of attendance is determined by the financial aid/bursar office at the institution in question.  So, the education award can go towards any number of things, such as books and supplies.  If your school determines that a computer is a requirement for your program of study and falls under the cost of attendance, then your institution may request that this purchase be covered by your education award. 

Life After AmeriCorps

When a member completes their service term, there is a vast support network available to them.  Catholic Volunteer Network/AEAP and AmeriCorps have plenty of resources for members and alums interested in using the education award.  AmeriCorps Alums has a great collection of education award resources.  Join the Alum network at www.americorpsalums.org.  You can also find resources on the AmeriCorps website at www.americorps.gov. 

Alums interested in alternative degree programs and overseas programs should check out the Federal Student Aid website at www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/FSLookupServlet to search for Title IV schools. 

When using the education award, you should always contact your lenders and/or the financial aid office at your school.  Loan officers and financial aid staff are always willing to work with you to find the best ways to use the education award to continue to ‘Get Things Done!’ in your community.