LIVING ALLOWANCE (STIPEND)

Members may receive a modest living allowance. You may not save much money during your year of service, but most members find the living allowance to be adequate to cover their needs. Please contact the program directly to find out which placement sites offer this benefit.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

Health insurance is provided for all members serving in a full time capacity during their term of service. Health care benefits vary from site to site, but all programs offer coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

For more information, visit FAQs about AmeriCorps and Disability Benefits

CHILD CARE BENEFITS 

Eligible full-time members may receive subsidized child care through AmeriCorps CARE while they are participating in national service. AmeriCorps CARE child care benefits are administered through the offices of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). In order to be eligible for the benefits, you must meet income-guidelines and the child care provider must be legally qualified in the state. AmeriCorps CARE will reimburse qualified child care providers up to 100% of the current local market rate for child care services. Reimbursement rates and income eligibility are based on state established guidelines under the Child Care and Development Fund, a federally funded program administered by each state.

 

Please visit www.naccrra.org/americorps  for more information

 

EDUCATION AWARD

After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members, who are enrolled in the National Service Trust, are eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use this award to pay educational costs at qualified institutions or to repay qualified student loans. The current award is $5,350 for a full year of service. You can use the award in full and in part and have up to seven years after the end of your term of service to claim.  To use the AmeriCorps Education Award, you must have already received a high school diploma or equivalent.

* You are eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award if you successfully complete your term of service in accordance with your member contract.

STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE

Forbearance is another excellent way to manage your student loan. Forbearance permits a student borrower a temporary period of time in which he or she may not make any payments on his or her loan, pay interest only, or make a payment for less than the normal repayment amount. Forbearance must be requested from your lender or loan servicer and a forbearance form must normally be completed. 

AmeriCorps members enrolled in an AmeriCorps project are eligible for forbearance for most federally-backed student loans. For other types of student loans, ask your loan holder if your AmeriCorps service qualifies you for a deferment or forbearance.

STUDENT LOAN INTEREST ACCRUAL

AmeriCorps members who have earned an AmeriCorps Education Award are eligible to have the Trust pay up to 100% of the interest that accrued on their qualified student loans during their service. To have the Trust pay all or a portion of the interest accrued on your qualified student loans, the Trust must receive verification from the National Association of Community Health Centers Community HealthCorps program that you have completed your service and are eligible for an award.

 

TRAINING

Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) provides members with the essential knowledge and skills they need before starting their term of service as an AmeriCorps/ HealthCorps member.

In Service Training Programs offer a minimum of 12-16 hours a month of training, team building events, and/or service projects for members. In-service trainings, also known as “Team Day Trainings,” utilize the Prescription for Success curriculum (see below) as the basis for training design. Members also receive service specific training to support activities throughout their term.

The Prescription for Success: Core Competencies for Serving in a Community Health Setting (Ten CC’s), is the cornerstone of member training for the Community HealthCorps. HealthCorps members receive introductory and advanced-level training in all 10 topics through pre-service and in-service sessions.  These trainings provide members with an opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge that will enhance their effectiveness and value to health center patients and their own professional growth. All members must receive training in each of the core competencies.