Frequently Asked Questions

 

General How do I apply? How many terms of AmeriCorps can an individual serve? What are the types of of AmeriCorps Education Awards that a student can receive? Prohibited Activities Can an AmeriCorps member engage in political or religious activities in his or her official capacity as an AmeriCorps member? Why can't a member address a foreign service need? If a student wants to participate in the AmeriCorps program but does not have loans, can their loan reduction money go towards their graduate school tuition? How does the student receive their Ed Award? Must the Ed Award be used all at once? Enrollment & Exit What are the restrictions on who is eligible? What materials are needed for member files? What procedures must occur if a member does not finish their term of service? If a member is not enrolled in AmeriCorps but is still a Bonner Leader what documentation does the Bonner Program Director need?

 

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General

How do I apply?

Each institution and community partner selects their own members based on a variety of criteria. We strongly encourage every Bonner school to offer their Bonner Scholars and Bonner Leaders the opportunity to participate in the Bonner AmeriCorps Program. As Bonners, they are already doing virtually all of the paperwork required for participation in the Bonner AmeriCorps Program.

 

Schools interested in participating in the Bonner Leader Program, should contact Christen Foell at cfoell@bonner.org.

 

How many terms of AmeriCorps can an individual serve?

Individuals may participate in a total of 3 AmeriCorps terms (including VISTA). However, they may receive education awards for only their first 2 terms.

 

What are the types of of AmeriCorps Education Awards that a student can receive?

• 1 year 300-hour term — $1,000 Education Award*
• 1 year 450-hour term — $1, 250 Education Award*
• 2 year 900-hour term — $2,362.50 Education Award*

 

*These amounts are subject to change year to year, in accordance with the Corporation for National Service's regulations.

*Receipt of the voucher will be in effect only AFTER a member has completed their full term of service.

 

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Prohibited Activities

 

Can an AmeriCorps member engage in political or religious activities in his or her official capacity as an AmeriCorps member?

There are certain activities including lobbying, political, religious or advocacy activities that AmeriCorps Members and staff may NOT perform in the course of their duties while charging time to the AmeriCorps program, or at the request of program staff. Furthermore, members and staff may not engage in any conduct in a manner that would associate the National Service Program or the Corporation with the prohibited activities. Programs must become familiar with the specific prohibitions in the Corporation's formal regulations (45 C.F.R. B2520.30) and the grant provisions. The list of prohibited activities is itemized here.

 

However, AmeriCorps members, like private citizens, may participate in lobbying, political, or advocacy activities on their own time, at their own expense, and at their own initiative. Members may not wear AmeriCorps service gear in such instances. 

 

NOTE: If you are having any difficulty drawing hard and fast lines between what does and does not count towards a member's AmeriCorps term of service or the Bonner Program in general, please contact us BEFORE a student or member engages in a questionable activity.  

 

Why can't a member address a foreign service need?

The AmeriCorps Program was created to address the domestic non-military service needs of our country. The Peace Corps was created to address non-military service needs overseas. AmeriCorps had to limit its scope to the domestic needs of our country and U.S. territories. Although in the overall Bonner Program we encourage travel and service abroad, those hours CANNOT be counted towards the fulfillment of the member's AmeriCorps term of service.

 

The Federal government strictly enforces these rules. In the case of the AmeriCorps Program, hours submitted for prohibited activities will be disqualified. Moreover, the sponsoring agency (in this instance, the Bonner Foundation and your college) risks losing their eligibility to remain in the AmeriCorps Program. If the prohibited activities are found during an audit, the sponsoring agency is likely to be required to repay any Federal program grants or educational awards associated with those prohibited activities.

 

If a student wants to participate in the AmeriCorps program but does not have loans, can their loan reduction money go towards their graduate school tuition?

Yes.

 

How does the student receive their Ed Award?

Once the student has completed all of their hours and verified this in BWBRS, they need to submit all outstanding time logs, CLAs and service accomplishments and a signed exit form to the Foundation for processing. After the Foundation has verified and process all of the outstanding paperwork, the student will be exited. Once the student has been exited successfully from the program, they can register with www.myamericorps.gov where they will be able to access their Ed Award online. The online system will allow members and alumni to request their Ed Award benefits, including interest accrual and forbearance online. This new automated process is easy to use and eliminates the need to fill out and submit paper forms. Members are also able to update their contact information, view their account information and the status of their requests and contact the trust through the system. 

 

Must the Ed Award be used all at once?

No. It is completely up to the member as to how the Ed Award is used. The online system allows the member to allocate all or a portion of their award electronically to any financial or academic institution to which the member has an outstanding loan or balance to repay. The Ed Award benefit will be available online for 7 years so that the member can have the opportunity to pay for future educational expenses. The Ed Award is taxable in the year it was used. 

 

For more information visit:

AmeriCorps Education Award

The National Service Trust

Report: The Effective Education Award

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Enrollment & Exit

What are the restrictions on who is eligible?

Eligible individuals are people who are willing to participate as peers in your service-leadership program and have some experience in community outreach. Program members must be at least 17 years old (a parent signature is required for someone who is 17) and must either be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.

 

What materials are needed for member files?

 The Bonner Enrollment Workbook, complete with all signatures and information included in the following parts:

• Member Application

• Parental Consent Letter (if under 18 years old)

• Enrollment Form

• Member Contract

• Drug-Free Workplace Policy

• Prohibited Activities

• Informed Consent

• Emergency Notification

• Criminal Background Check Authorization Form

• National Sex Offender Registry Check Form

• Acknowledgment: Waiver of Responsibility

• The following must be stapled to and turned in with the above mentioned Enrollment booklet:

  • Citizenship, Naturalization, or Resident Alien Documentation

  • Government-issued Photo ID

 

What procedures must occur if a member does not finish their term of service?

Regardless of the reason for exiting their term, a member MUST turn in a properly signed AmeriCorps Exit Form to be considered legally and properly exited from the program. If a member cannot complete their term due to "Personal & Compelling Circumstances" (See Member Contract for definition), a letter with an explanation must be included with the exit form describing why they must leave the program early. They will then be considered for eligibility to receive a pro-rated education award. If a member is simply unable to complete their term due to lack of interest or because they obtain a job, a member will be exited without an award.

 

If a member is not enrolled in AmeriCorps but is still a Bonner Leader what documentation does the Bonner Program Director need?

The Bonner Program does not ask for the extensive documentation that AmeriCorps members are required to have. We only require a list of names of students, as well as a list of their service activities when reporting.