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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be enrolled in a college or
university to become a Lewis-Clark Service Corps AmeriCorps
member?
No you do not have to
be enrolled in an educational institution to become a
member.
I
am 50 years of age. Is it possible for me to
become a member?
There is no upper age
limit. Several members have been over retirement age.
Is my education award taxed?
Yes it is taxed as you use it.
Would I need to use my education
award immediately after receiving it?
You have up to seven years to use your education
award. You don't have to use it all at once. You
access your award through the AmeriCorps portal at
my.americorps.gov
and it
is available upon satisfactory completion of service.
I won't be using my
education award, can I get cash or give my award to someone?
Sorry, no you cannot get cash
instead of your education award. There are currently ways to
give
your award to direct family if you are 55+.
What happens if I don't complete my year of service?
The living allowance and
other benefits will end when you terminate your service. If
you leave for certain compelling reasons (reasons that must
meet national service program requirements and Program
Director approval), you may be eligible for a pro-rated
education award. If you simply quit the program or do
not complete your hours, you will
not receive any part of the education award.
It is also important you realize that if you quit during the
program year, host sites cannot re-hire someone to fill a
vacated AmeriCorps position. If you leave before the end of
your term, it might mean that the students you were tutoring
or mentoring will have to go without the additional help.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED
ACTIVITIES OF A LEWIS-CLARK SERVICE CORPS MEMBER?
There are four main
components of required activities that an AmeriCorps
member must do to successfully complete his/her year of
service including Lewis-Clark Service Corps
requirements.
1. DIRECT
SERVICE : Tutoring and/or mentoring at a host site
2. TRAINING:
Attendance and participation in all program required trainings
3. COMMUNITY
SERVICE PROJECTS: Design, attendance and participate
in community service projects in conjunction with three
nationally recognized days of service: Make a
Difference Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and National AmeriCorps Week.
4.
Use program provided curriculum at
required
monthly team meetings.
WHAT
KIND OF QUALIFICATIONS DO I HAVE TO HAVE?
AmeriCorps members must be US citizens or legal permanent residents, be 17 years or older, have a high school diploma
or GED, and pass a background check. Specific skills (such
as bilingual ability or a tutoring/mentoring background) are
useful but generally not required. LC Service Corps provides training in necessary skill areas.
Some sites have site specific requirements in addition to
AmeriCorps program requirements.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DIPLOMA OR GED?
Yes you have to have one or the other
when you apply to become an AmeriCorps member
in a tutoring / mentoring program.
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