1. New Ruling from the Corporation: AmeriCorps term limits

 We are pleased to bring you some exciting news from the Corporation for National and Community Service!  The Corporation issued a final rule implementing changes authorized by the Serve America Act.  Outlined below are the key provisions in the new rule related to the maximum number of terms that an AmeriCorps Member can serve in AmeriCorpsState and National programs, the calculation of Education Awards over multiple terms, and the transferability of Education Awards.

1) Education Award Limits: No individual may receive more than an amount equal to the aggregate value of two full-time Education Awards.  The value of an Education Award is equal to the actual amount of the Education Award received divided by the amount of a full-time Education Award in the year the AmeriCorps position to which the award is attributed was approved.  Each Education Award received will have a value between 0 and 1.  

For example, an individual who completed a 900-hour term approved in 2009 received an Education Award of $2362.50.  The value of this Education Award is the amount received ($2363.50) divided by the amount of a full-time award in the year the position was approved ($4725.00) which equals .5.

2) Term Limits: An individual cannot serve more than four terms of service in an AmeriCorps State or National program, regardless of whether those terms were served on a full, part, or minimum-time basis.  Please note that AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC are not AmeriCorps State and National programs.        

3) Transferability: Individuals age 55 or older on the official Member start date who enrolled in an approved AmeriCorps State and National position on or after October 1, 2009 may transfer their Education Award to their child, grandchild or foster child.  The individual designated to receive the transferred award must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a Lawful Permanent Resident alien of the United States.