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Current AmeriCorps Members

The ICVS supports AmeriCorps members in Iowa with training opportunities, recognition events, and networking contacts. We can also help with questions related to your AmeriCorps benefits.

Training
Each year, the ICVS invites AmeriCorps State and National members to participate in the Iowa Conference on Volunteer Service/Iowa Nonprofit Summit and the National Service Leadership Institute. Occasionally, we offer other training events covering the required areas of Civic Engagement, Disaster Response, Communication, and Life-After AmeriCorps. Contact your program director to find out about upcoming training events, or visit the "Training & Promotion" section of our website.

Recognition
We're proud of the service that all of our AmeriCorps members provide! Your contributions make our state a better place for all Iowans. See below for more information about how we work to make sure you are recognized for your service.
AmeriCorps Week: The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service helps organize AmeriCorps Week activities each spring. AmeriCorps Week is a time to recognize your service and let other people know about the great things you are doing as an AmeriCorps member. Check out the AmeriCorps Week page for more information about events in Iowa and nationwide. http://americorpsweek.gov/index.asp
Spirit of Service awards: The Corporation for National and Community Service has a program to recognize outstanding AmeriCorps members and alumni. Visit the CNCS website to find out how to nominate one of your fellow AmeriCorps members, or other national service representatives, for the Spirit of Service awards. http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/spiritofservice/index.asp

Networking
Some AmeriCorps members serve in a large program or side by side in a team. Others of you might be the only AmeriCorps member in your organization or your community. Either way, we want you be connected to the world of national service and to others who can relate to your AmeriCorps experience. Keep reading below for ideas about how to connect with other members.
Facebook groups are a great way to find out about current activities across Iowa's various AmeriCorps programs. You can even join the alumni page while you're serving, so that you can share your activities with those who served previously:

AmeriCorps alums is an organization of former national service members from all three branches of AmeriCorps. Register to find members with whom you served, to meet other alums in your area, or to stay engaged in service issues- http://www.americorpsalums.org/

Benefits- FAQ and Resources
Taxes:  Iowa is the only state in which your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award payments are not taxed as income!  Be sure to fill out your Iowa income taxes correctly by referencing the information below.


Health care: Members serving in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or full-time in AmeriCorps state receive health benefits. These health plans must meet certain basic requirements, but the details vary depending on your provider. If you do not know your healthcare provider, contact your program director. 
As of fall 2011, the ICVS is aware of two healthcare providers being used by Iowa AmeriCorps State programs.

  • Aetna. Click on the following links for Aetna AmeriCorps documents:

VISTA and NCCC members receive their healthcare directly through the federal government. Forms related to your health coverage are available on the AmeriCorps website (http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/tta/forms.asp).

  • For more information, VISTA members can contact the VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU) at 866.473.5733 or by email at vmsu_staff@cns.gov
  • NCCC members should speak with their team leader or staff at their home campus for any additional questions.

Child care: As a member, you may be able to receive assistance with the costs of childcare for children under age 13 who live with you. Eligibility is dependent upon the branch of AmeriCorps in which you serve and the length of your term.

  • In 2010, First Financial Associates (http://www.1stfinancialassociates.com/) replaced NACCRRA (National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agency) as the administrator of the AmeriCorps childcare program. 
  • First Financial Associates has informational brochures and application materials posted to their website. Be sure to choose the correct forms for your branch of AmeriCorps.

Public Benefits:  Due to receiving a modest living allowance, many members may be eligible for income-based public assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps.  Your eligibility depends on your individual family and financial situation, as well as the type of AmeriCorps program in which you’re serving.  See the following document for details regarding how the Iowa Department of Human Services would count your AmeriCorps benefits (living allowance, education award payments, etc.) when determining your eligibility for Food Assistance, Medicaid, Iowa Care, Family Investment Program (FIP),  Promise Jobs, and more.

Education Awards- General Information

  • After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members who are enrolled in the National Service Trust are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use your education award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans.
  • The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act made changes to the maximum amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The amount is now tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grant. For terms of service that are approved using 2009 funds (or earlier funds) the award continues to be $4,725 for a year of full-time service, and is pro-rated for part-time service based on the full-time amount. For terms of service that are supported with 2010 funds the award value increases to $5,350 and for those members funded through 2011 grants the value will be $5,550.
  • You can make payments from your award in full or part, and can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to use your award. To confirm the award amount for which you are eligible, call your program or project sponsor.
  • For more information, including helpful guides to making the most of your Education Award, please visit http://edaward.org/.

Education Awards- Loan Forbearance and Interest Repayments

  • Individuals who are serving in an approved AmeriCorps or Silver Scholar position may be eligible to postpone the repayment of their qualified student loans through an action called loan forbearance.
  • While your loan is in forbearance during your term of service, interest continues to accrue. However, If you successfully complete your term of service the National Service Trust will pay all or a portion of the interest that accrued on your qualified student loans during your service period.
  • Individuals who have successfully completed a term of service in AmeriCorps or Silver Scholars are eligible to have the Trust pay as much as 100% of the interest that accrued on their qualified student loan during their service. The portion that the Trust will pay is determined by the type of service (full or part-time) and the length of your service period.  The Trust will only pay interest on qualified student loans, as described in the web page “Using your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.” 
  • For steps on how to sign-up for loan forbearance and interest repayments, you may visit one of the following sites:

Education Awards- Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Based Repayment:

  • The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program offers forgiveness for outstanding Federal Direct loans for those individuals who make 120 qualifying payments after October 1, 2007, while working full-time in a “public service job” as defined in the Act. Full-time AmeriCorps service counts as a public-service job according to this legislation, so if you are making loan repayments while serving, these could count towards your future loan forgiveness.
  • The new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan helps to make repaying education loans more affordable for low-income borrowers, such as an AmeriCorps members living on a stipend.

Education Awards- Transferring Awards

  • The Serve America Act adds a new option for certain AmeriCorps State members to transfer their education awards to eligible family members.
  • AmeriCorps State members who are 55 and older who enroll after October 1, 2009 will be able to transfer their education award to a child, grandchild, or foster child.
  • Final rules about the transfer of awards are still being developed. Visit the Serve America Act portion of the CNCS website (http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/serveamerica/index.asp) or contact ICVS staff for more information about whether you are eligible to transfer or receive an education award.