Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is AmeriCorps the same as EducationWorks?
A. No. AmeriCorps is a federal program which provides financial support and resources to more than 3,000 public and not-for-profit organizations which sponsor AmeriCorps national service programs. These programs recruit, train and support AmeriCorps members to address critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, veterans affairs, disaster response, and other critical areas Annually, more than 70,000 individuals across the country make an intensive commitment to AmeriCorps service.
EducationWorks is a not-for-profit which receives support more than 400 AmeriCorps members who provide comprehensive educational programs and services to youth and families in Philadelphia and Chester, PA; and Camden and Trenton, NJ.
Q. Are AmeriCorps positions jobs?
A. No. While there are a number of similarities, (such as regular pay and leave time for vacation and illness), AmeriCorps positions are national service positions.
EducationWorks, like others in national service, aims to serve others and meet their highest priority needs. In addition we work to ensure the skills and leadership of our members are combined so those we serve and our members alike can reach their greatest potential. Unlike a job, in return for service, members benefit from putting qualified loans into forbearance, have the accrued loan interest during their term paid, and receive an education award when you complete your service. Because it is not a job, members are not eligible for unemployment when the term of service is completed.
Q. Do I have to serve 40 hours per week?
A. There are two options:
- * Full Time: 40 hours per week
- * Part time: In Philadelphia and Camden, 17.5 hours per week, in Trenton 20 hours per week.
Q: Do I need a high school diploma or G.E.D. to participate?
A: It is not necessary for a corpsmember over the age of 30 to have a high school diploma or G.E.D. However, the corpsmember should plan to obtain the G.E.D. within a year.
Q: What do I receive for my service?
A: You receive:
- * a taxable living allowance
- * a taxable educational award once you have completed your term of service which may be used toward the cost of beginning or continuing your education, or for repayment of outstanding qualified student loans
- * student loan deferment with accrued interest paid upon completion of a term of service
- * childcare and health insurance, if qualified, for full time members only
- * training and professional development
Q: Can I hold a job or take classes during my year of service?
A: While some members need to work to supplement the living allowance, and/or need to take classes to further their education, members need to discuss this with their supervisor. Supervisors need to be assured that outside employment and/or coursework will not interfere with the quality of service provided nor unduly restrict the corpsmember's availability to provide service when it is needed. Member should make clear their schedule, place and nature of work or study.
Q: When does the program begin and end?
A: EW enrolls the majority of corpsmembers three times during the year — January, June and August. And these are also the same times terms end.
Q: Do I get any vacation?
A: Corpsmembers earn leave time over the course of their term. The amount of time is determined by the number of weeks of service and if the member is serving in a full time capacity (40 hours per week) or part time capacity (20 - 17.5 hours per week). Leave time may not be used for the first 30 days of your term.
Q: When do I receive my education award and how can I use it?
A: The Corporation for National Service issues the post-service educational award upon completion of the corpsmember's term of service. The member can access the education award online usually two to three weeks after their term is completed.
Education Awards may be used toward the cost of beginning or continuing post-secondary education, full-time or part-time college attendance, or for the repayment of qualified student loans. Corpsmembers have 7 years to use the educational award. The award is not paid to the participant directly, but instead will be paid to an institution of higher education or lender designated by the member.
Q: Can I pass on my education award to a family member?
A. Members who are 55 years old or older at the start of their term may transfer their award to a child, grandchild, or foster child.
Q: What are the health benefits?
A: Health insurance will be provided for full-time corpsmembers who do not have access to an alternate health care policy when they are accepted into the program. If a corpsmember loses health coverage during the term of service unintentionally, he/she will be eligible for health care benefits. Coverage is for the member only, and includes:
- * Physician services for illness or injury
- * Hospital room and board
- * Emergency room
- * X-ray and laboratory
- * Prescription drugs
- * Limited mental/nervous disorders
- * Limited substance abuse coverage
- * An annual deductible of no more than $250 charges per member
- * No more than $1,000 total annual out-of-pocket per member
- * A 20% co-pay or a comparable fixed fee with the exception of a 50% co-pay for mental and substance abuse care
- * A maximum benefit of at least $50,000 per occurrence or cause
Q. What if I have an injury while I am in service? Will I have insurance coverage?
A. All corpsmembers are covered by accident insurance.
Q: What childcare benefits are available to corpsmembers?
A: AmeriCorps will reimburse up to 100% of the child care costs for eligible corpsmembers who select qualified child care providers. Corpsmembers are eligible for child care benefits if they:
- * Are parents or custodians of dependents under 13 who reside with them,
- * Need child care in order to participate, and
- * Have a family income that does not exceed 75% of the state’s median income for a family of the same size.
Childcare information is made available at the beginning of each term.
