Our frequently asked questions

The Employers of National Service program aims to connect national service alumni with paid staff positions (as opposed to service year opportunities). If you’re looking to bring AmeriCorps members to your organization, the best place to start is taking a look at our AmeriCorps website to determine which kinds of grants and programs best fit your organization’s capacity and goals.

AmeriCorps’ Schools of National Service benefits both post-secondary institutions and the AmeriCorps alumni they enroll. Recognizing that AmeriCorps alumni are a valuable asset to the academic community, Schools of National Service seeks to reward their service and incentivize their education by providing benefits to students who choose to serve. In return, institutions receive students who are trained leaders, community-minded, and driven to make a difference in the world.

Options for Schools of National Service Include:

• Tuition matching for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (could be at the undergraduate or graduate level and could be specific to a school or program)
• Scholarship or fellowship to AmeriCorps alumni
• Priority points for admission consideration for AmeriCorps alumni
• In-state tuition for AmeriCorps alumni
• Expenses like books and supplies, room and board, or other personal costs like transportation for AmeriCorps alumni
• One-year enrollment deferrals for individuals to serve in AmeriCorps
• Academic credit for AmeriCorps experience
• Other incentives that vary by institution

Yes, all previous matching institutions were automatically enrolled as Schools of National Service; no changes were required of institutions. However, we ask that all participating institutions review their commitment and notify AmeriCorps if they wish to make changes to their commitment. Please reach out to SegalAward@americorps.gov.

Schools of National Service benefits both post-secondary institutions and the AmeriCorps alumni they enroll. Recognizing that AmeriCorps alumni are a valuable asset to the academic community, Schools of National Service seeks to reward their service and incentivize their education by providing benefits to students who choose to serve. In return, institutions receive students who are trained leaders, community-minded, and driven to make a difference in the world.

A post-secondary institution can qualify as a School of National Service by entering into a written commitment  to provide incentives to AmeriCorps members and alumni.

Options for Schools of National Service include:

• Tuition matching for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (could be at the undergraduate or graduate level and could be specific to a school or program)
• Scholarship or fellowship to AmeriCorps alumni
• Priority points for admission consideration for AmeriCorps alumni
• In-state tuition for AmeriCorps alumni
• Expenses like books and supplies, room and board, or other personal costs like transportation for AmeriCorps alumni
• One-year enrollment deferrals for individuals to serve in AmeriCorps
• Academic credit for AmeriCorps experience
• Other incentives that vary by institution

Examples of Institutional Commitments

Tulane University
Established in 2014, the Tulane AmeriCorps Fellows program places Tulane students in AmeriCorps service positions across the City of New Orleans through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Tulane AmeriCorps Fellows also complete a rigorous course of professional development training during their time in the program. Each fellow receives a stipend and benefits, as well as the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award following the culmination of their service.

Tufts University
Tufts University’s 1+4 Bridge Year program gives students the opportunity to integrate service into their university experience. 1+4 Bridge Year fellows spend a year performing immersive community service around the world while earning college credit. When they return to Tufts for their four years of undergrad, 1+4 Bridge Year fellows are met by a community that helps them synthesize their service year with their time at Tufts. Note: this example could be used in collaboration with AmeriCorps or other service programs.

Baylor University – Garland School of Social Work
Baylor University Garland School of Social Work waives the application fee for all eligible AmeriCorps alumni applying to the Master of Social Work Program at the Houston and Waco Campuses. In addition, eligible AmeriCorps alumni will have the option to defer admission into the Master of Social Work Program for up to one year. Finally, up to four eligible AmeriCorps alumni admitted into the Master of Social Work program receive at least a 50% tuition discount for up to two years, while one eligible AmeriCorps alumni admitted into the Master of Social Work Program receives a 100% tuition discount for up to two years.

Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service
The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M partners with AmeriCorps in its residential degrees for the Master of Public Service and Administration and a Master of International Affairs. The application fee is waived for AmeriCorps applicants. The school also awards a minimum scholarship of $5,000 in the first year. Applicants may earn higher levels of aid based on the merits of their application and on satisfactory academic achievement. For out-of-state students, a scholarship award also includes a non-resident tuition waiver that qualifies them for Texas residency rates. Additionally, more seasoned AmeriCorps alumni may be able to waive the professional internship requirement based on prior relevant work experience.

Fisk University
As part of its ongoing efforts supporting global and community engagement, Fisk University offers an AmeriCorps Matching Grant.

*University examples are listed as current commitments and are not an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by AmeriCorps of the institution or the programs mentioned.

Yes! There are many creative ways to participate in Schools of National Service. For example, some Schools of National Service provide deferrals to students who choose to complete a service year before entering college, while others provide AmeriCorps alumni with academic credit hours for their term of service. With Schools of National Service, there is an option for every institution

One of the best ways to advertise your institution’s Schools of National Service benefits is to partner with your school career center and financial aid office. Advertising AmeriCorps programs as a viable postgraduate, deferment, or gap year option will also allow you to educate your student body about the potential benefits they could gain from getting involved in national service.

In addition, you can advertise your involvement in Schools of National Service on your public platforms by using the Schools of National Service badge, which is available for download below. 

Yes; AmeriCorps is not just an opportunity to serve your country, it is also a steppingstone to a future career. AmeriCorps alumni gain leadership experience and other transferrable skills from their time in service, giving them an advantage in whatever field they choose to enter next. Upon completion of a service year, the career options for AmeriCorps alumni are endless. In addition, the network of Employers of National Service may provide job opportunities for AmeriCorps alumni as they plan their next steps after service. Consider inviting those employers to your school or for a virtual career fair. Read research that affirms the link between AmeriCorps and career.