May include tuition, fees, books, transportation, or other educational necessities.
Eligible schools are higher educational institutions, both domestic and foreign, that currently participate in the Department of Education's Title IV student aid programs, referred to as "Title IV schools."
Loans backed by the federal government under Title IV or the Higher Education Act (except PLUS Loans to parents of students)
Loans under Titles VII or VIII of the Public Service Health Act
Loans made by a state agency, including state institutions of higher education.
Non-traditional uses of the education award:
Outdoor & Educational Leadership
Several outdoor programs accept the Education Award even though they are not Title IV. These organizations offer a variety of trips, and some offer trainings and certifications in guiding, wilderness medicine, bushcraft, & more
Formerly known as the National Outdoor Leadership School, NOLS has adventure courses, leadership courses, and wilderness medicine courses.
NOLS will match up to $2,000 of your award for expedition trips (NOT for leadership or wilderness medicine courses)
They partner with Western Colorado University, so using your Education Award here will also get you college credit
Outward Bound offers courses, but not certifications
You can use your Education Award for any of their programs, but start the process early; you'll need to initiate payment of your Education Award 30 days in advance of your trip
They partner with Western Colorado University, so using your Education Award here will also get you college credit
Become a certified LNT Master Educator (5-day course) through NOLS
Many different class locations across the country
Good resume builder, and you can teach official LNT classes with this certification
Wilderness Medicine
A great resume booster for outdoor careers. Most conservation jobs require some level of training in this field (see below). Many providers offer these courses but not all accept the Education Award, so check before you register! Sign up early, as the Education Award can take up to a month to process.
Aerie Backcountry Medicine - All of their courses can be covered by the Education Award through the University of Montana. There is an enrollment fee with U Montana, but it can be reimbursed with your award money.
SOLO - All their courses can be covered by the Education Award through Sterling College. There is a fee for each college credit (4 total) that can be covered by your award
The list of organizations above is not exhaustive! Many local colleges offer some of these courses (and are usually Title IV, but check). Specialty courses may include:
Swiftwater Rescue
WFA/WFR Instructor Training (WFR/WEMT prerequisite)
Trade School & Community College
These institutions offer a broad variety of courses and certifications. Look for schools in your area, search the country for particular courses you want, and be sure to check if the school is Title IV (see the "Title IV Institutions" section). Examples of programs or certifications that may be offered through these institutions are listed below:
Mechanic training
Welding certification
Cosmetology school
Culinary school
Pilot's license
Massage therapy
Nursing
Blacksmithing
Electrician license
Yoga Instructor cert
Cheesemaking cert
CDL certification
Wildland Fire Training
Wildland firefighting is an exciting career path, and your corps experience can be valuable on the fireline. While most wildland fire training cannot be covered by your Education Award, trainings may be free and we offer some information here about finding trainings in your area.
Beginning wildland firefighters need their FFT2 certification, which includes the ICS-100, L-180, S-130, S-190, and IS-700 classes
Most of these courses are offered online for free through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
There is a field portion of the training/certification, including a pack test (walking 3 miles on a flat track in 45 minutes with a 45 pound pack)
Once you have completed the online courses, seek out a field day in your area. Field days may be offered by the following groups:
US Forest Service
National Park Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Indian Affairs
State Forest Service or Department of Forestry
Contact your local agencies for wildland fire training opportunities and information! Some offer training programs in addition to field days
International volunteer opportunities from 2 weeks to more than 6 months. Your Education Award can cover many, but not all, of their fees, and their website has detailed information about using your award.
Most programs are in Cambodia, in the past, they have also offered opportunities in Tanzania and Thailand
Continue your service after AmeriCorps in a variety of areas, including Global health, teaching English, and community development
Apply Early! They require registration 60 days before a course to avoid extra fees, but recommend applying 3-4 months out.
You may apply before your education award is finalized (while you are still in your AmeriCorps program or just after exiting). Your award should be finalized about a month after you complete your program.
If you are interested in continuing in the non-profit world, consider building your resume with a non-profit certification. Several different certifications are available, both through universities and other programs.
Non-Profit Leadership Alliance - They offer a 6-month online course to become a Certified Non-Profit Professional. A Bachelor's Degree is required.
Learn a new language at your local Community College! Many offer introductory and continuing language courses in a wide variety of languages, from Arabic to ASL
As always, check to make sure that the school is Title IV before registering
Taking one or two classes at a time is a great way to stretch out the benefit of your education award
Enrichment Classes
Beginner music, local history, film, photography, SCUBA diving, rock climbing, and more! Take a class in something you've always been interested in, or something new you want to try.
There may be multiple community colleges in your area - search around and check out their curricula to find what you want
As always, check to make sure that the school is Title IV before registering
Taking one or two classes at a time is a great way to stretch out the benefit of your education award
Maximize Your Award!
Many colleges and programs offer benefits for AmeriCorps alumni - matching your award money, waiving certain fees, offering in-state tuition, and more.
Check out the list of Schools of National Service on the AmeriCorps website Expand your possibilities!
These benefits can allow you to attend a program that may have been unattainable otherwise
Education Award Considerations:
Tax Implications
The award counts as taxable income in the tax year in which you use the award. *Note: you do not have to use the award all at once. It can be broken up across different tax years*
Report the income as "educational benefit' income rather than self employment income to avoid a higher tax rate.
Are you a dependent on someone else's taxes? Share this info with them so they can report it correctly.
You will receive a 1099 MISC income form from the IRS for any amount over $600 that you used from your education award in that tax year.
You can access tax form in MyAmeriCorps.gov
Consider Your Financial Aid Options
If you receive financial aid through your college, make sure that using your Education Award won't lead to an "over-award" where you lose out on financial aid money. Discuss this with your financial aid office, and consider saving your education award for another semester if you are getting short term or one-time scholarship aid for a particular school year.
