Good question! Here is some information from AmeriCorps about the Education Award JPSOS Members will receive after completing their service hours:

“Upon successful completion of a term of service, Members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award [...] which may be used only to pay college costs or to repay student loans. Members may earn up to two awards and have seven years to use this benefit.”

Joel’s Place AmeriCorps Summer of Service Members will receive a $1250.00 Education Award if they agreed and completed 450 hours of service, and a $1000.00 Education Award if they agreed and completed 300 hours of service.

The award, which was designed to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to seek post secondary education opportunities, serves as a powerful recruitment tool for individuals to join AmeriCorps. Studies show that AmeriCorps alumni, with their commitment to service, also make excellent students. A growing number of higher education institutions, in order to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to enroll in their institutions, are ‘matching’ the education award with scholarships and/or academic credits.”

More details:

• AmeriCorps Education Award
• Institutions that Match the Education Award

“I learned that no matter what you are doing, or where you are, you can make it through.”

Aly, 18, JPSOS’08 Member