RISE AmeriCorps members who complete a term of service successfully will be offered the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay a range of educational expenses.
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​AmeriCorps members can earn up to two full Educational Awards with multiple service terms.
KEY EDUCATION AWARD INFORMATION
  • Segal Education Award is received upon completion of an AmeriCorps term
  • Can be held for seven years
  • Can pay past federal student loans or current/ future educational expenses*
  • Can be transferred to a child or grandchild for educational expenses for individuals 55 and older
  • Education award and interest payments are considered taxable income in some states, including Iowa. Here is more information on Iowa and Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. ​
  • View the My.AmeriCorps.gov Guide for more details

*Educational expenses (current or future) that can be paid include:
  • The "Cost of Attendance" (COA) for a degree- or certificate-granting program of study at a Title IV school. The COA may include tuition, books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and other expenses. Each Title IV school's financial aid office determines their students’ COA based upon standard U.S. Department of Education guidance. 

  • Educational expenses for non-degree courses, such as continuing education courses or workshops offered by Title IV schools. Educational expenses that can be paid normally include tuition & fees, books, and supplies, as determined by the school’s administrative office.
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  • Courses or training programs authorized under the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. These courses and programs have been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for GI Bill educational benefits. The educational institutions or training establishments that offer these courses and training programs will have a VA-approved Certifying Official who can determine eligible expenses.
2022 Education award amount


​2022 SEGAL EDUCATION AWARD
*Amount set and adjusted by CNCS on an annual basis

Participation Type
Minimum Service Hours
Amount
Full-time
1,700
$6,345.00
Half-time
900
$3,172.50
Quarter-time
450
$1,678.57
Minimum-time
300
$1,342.86
ACCESSING YOUR AWARD
You can view your education award balance and make payments on your my.americorps.gov account. After the successful completion of your AmeriCorps term, the funds will become available for educational expenses for up to seven years. Educational expenses can include paying off student loans, future tuition and more. 

​1. Log into your my.americorps.gov account
You created this account when you first became a member. 
Hint: the passwords are very long and require uppercase letter, lowercase letter, numbers, symbols and must be at least 12 characters long. 

​2. Click on "My Education Award" 
From this page you can:
  1. Create education award payments
  2. Request loan forbearance
  3. Pay off accrued interest
REQUESTING AN EDUCATION AWARD PAYMENT (AFTER SERVICE)
1. Click on “Create Education Award Payment Request”
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2. Select "Education Expenses" or "Loan Payment"

3. Select the amount you wish to sent

4. “Search Institution”
  • For past loans, this is your loan provider
  • For future education, this is your school

5. Click "Certify and Submit"

Helpful Hints:
  • This payment is considered taxable income. At the end of the year you will receive a 1099 misc form by mail and on your my.americorps account. 
  • You have 7 years to use the award.​
  • Go to this website to understand your education award and how to get the most out of the money 
    • Any amount  sent to loan providers is considered future payments if not specified. If you pay $1500 and your loan payment is $300 monthly, the loan company will assume you are making 5 payments in advance. If would like to pay directly on the principal, you will need to contact the loan provider and let them know how to allocate the funds received.
  • Go to this website to understand your education award and how to get the most out of the money 
  • If you would like to use an education award on future tuition, call the financial aid office at your school. In this case, the education award payment is split in two. One half will be sent at the beginning of the year and one half will be sent in the middle of the semester. 
CREATING INTEREST PAYMENT (AFTER SERVICE)
Interest will continue to accrue on your loans while they are in forbearance. When the member successfully completes the term of service and the loan is a qualified student loan, the National Service Trust will pay all or a portion of the interest that accrued during the service period.
*This payment is considered taxable income. At the end of the year you will receive a 1099 misc form by mail and on your my.americorps account. 

1. Click on “Create Interest Payment Request”
2. Select "Service Term"
3. “Search for your institutions". These will be the same institutions you had in forbearance.  You must know the name and address of your loan provider.
  • Providing your account number in the comments section is helpful
4. ​ Click submit ONCE
5. To check your request status, go back to your “My Education Award” page. The loan holders have the option of accepting or rejecting and they will put their decision in the comment box attached to the request. ​