FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 09, 2022

National service programs provide services to veterans to improve their academic outcomes, graduation rates and postsecondary success after college

WASHINGTON, DC— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, today announced the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Corps, an AmeriCorps program that provides veterans and their family members access to educational benefits and services earned through their military service, returns as much as $17.52 to communities and the government for every federal dollar invested. The return-on-investment study measured the value of federal funding invested in programs supporting veteran and military families in achieving post-secondary education and career goals.

ROI analyses help measure program performance and build the base of evidence for future resource decisions by estimating the monetary value of benefits that a program generates per dollar invested. The total benefits are driven by favorable employment and education opportunities for veterans who participated in the program and AmeriCorps members following their service.

“As a federal agency, we recognize our obligation to the military community,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “AmeriCorps members play a key role by helping us live up to our nation's promise of caring for veterans—and their families—before, during and after their tours of duty. We’re proud to welcome many veterans as AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers where they can continue their legacy of service and gain additional professional, educational and life benefits.”

Vet Corps provides services to veterans to improve their academic outcomes, graduation rates and postsecondary success after college through peer mentoring, resources and referrals to veterans in college. Vet Corps engages approximately 50 AmeriCorps members each year. The members help educate university faculty and administrative employees about veteran needs, increase veteran cultural competence and are typically veterans or military-connected family members. 

Key benefits of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Corps include: 

  • Higher veteran student retention rates
  • Increased likelihood of completing their degree among program participants
  • Increased post-service earnings by AmeriCorps members
  • Reduced lifetime spending on corrections, public assistance and social insurance

AmeriCorps has made serving and engaging veterans and military families one of the agency’s priority focus areas. AmeriCorps assists nearly 500,000 veterans and military families by connecting them to educational opportunities, jobs and the benefits they have earned. AmeriCorps programs recruit veterans into service opportunities, including those that need military experience. Each year, more than 20,000 veterans also serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs across the nation.

AmeriCorps was recognized for outstanding performance in the Results for America’s 2021 Invest in What Works Federal Standard of Excellence, a report that measures agencies data-driven decision-making to improve the impact of federal investments. Specifically, AmeriCorps was highlighted for the agency’s use of data and evidence to increase the impact of national service grants in more than 40,000 locations to make government investment as effective and efficient as possible.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.