Schools of National Service 

The Schools of National Service initiative recognizes that 

individuals who served in AmeriCorps bring tremendous value 

to the higher education or other post-secondary experience that 

beneÿt the institution, other students, and their community. 

AmeriCorps’ members experience, leadership skills, 

problem-solving ability, and commitment to civic engagement 

are a welcome addition to any learning environment. 

In recognition of the value of their service, Schools of National 

Service provide incentives and awards that encourage 

AmeriCorps alumni to attend their institution. By participating in 

the program, colleges, universities, and other post-secondary 

institutions beneÿt. 

About the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award 

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service 

beneÿt earned by individuals who complete an approved term 

of national service in AmeriCorps programs. The award is 

named after Eli Segal, a pioneer of national service and the ÿrst 

CEO of the agency now known as AmeriCorps. 

The award may be used to pay educational expenses at eligible 

post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools 

and G.I. Bill-approved programs or to repay qualiÿed student 

loans. The dollar amount of the education award is equal to the 

maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education Pell 

Grant and may change year to year. 

What is AmeriCorps? 

AmeriCorps is the only federal 

agency tasked with elevating 

service and volunteerism in 

America. We provide opportunities 

for people of all ages and 

backgrounds to give their time and 

talent to strengthen communities 

across our country. 

In 25 years, nearly 1.2 million 

AmeriCorps members have 

earned over $4 billion in 

Segal AmeriCorps Education 

Awards, $1 billion of which 

has been used to pay back 

student loan debt – making 

college more accessible and 

a ̃ordable for those who 

serve. 

Want to know how much your 

institution has received in Segal 

AmeriCorps Education Awards? 

Contact us at: 

 segalaward@cns.gov 

AmeriCorps.gov Apply Today 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Beneÿts of Participation 

Schools of National Service will help you gain 

access to AmeriCorps alumni – a network nearly 

1.2 million strong – who have earned billions of 

dollars in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards. 

Participation in the program will give higher 

education and other post-secondary institutions a 

way to make education more a°ordable to a group 

of Americans that research shows are leaders with 

the determination and skills to succeed. 

What AmeriCorps members say about their 

service: 

• Serving in AmeriCorps sets up members for 

success in a 21st-century economy 

• 8 out of 10 alumni say AmeriCorps beneÿted 

 their career path. 

• 7 out of 10 alumni say that AmeriCorps 

 helped them achieve their educational goals, 

 in part thanks to the Segal AmeriCorps 

 Education Award – one-third of alumni were 

 pursuing their education six months after their 

 service. 

• More than half of AmeriCorps alumni said 

 the Education Award gave them the ability to 

 pay for career-beneÿting training and 

 education they otherwise would not have. 

• AmeriCorps creates leaders who can bridge 

 divides and solve problems. 

• 9 out of 10 AmeriCorps alumni reported that 

 their experience improved their ability to 

 solve problems. 

• 80 percent of alumni feel conÿdent they can 

 create a plan to address a community issue 

 and get others to care about it. 

• 93 percent of alumni said that after service, 

 they felt comfortable interacting with others 

 di°erent than themselves, as compared to 72 

 percent before. 

• 94 percent said that national service 

 broadened their understanding of society and 

 di°erent communities. 

How Your Institution Can Become a 

‘School of National Service’ 

A post-secondary institution can qualify as a 

School of National Service by entering into a 

written commitment to provide any of the 

following incentives to AmeriCorps members 

and alumni. 

• Tuition matching for the Segal AmeriCorps 

 Education Award (could be at the 

 undergraduate or graduate level and could be 

 speciÿc to a school or program) 

• Scholarship or fellowship to AmeriCorps 

 alumni 

• Priority points for admission consideration for 

 AmeriCorps alumni 

• In-state tuition for AmeriCorps alumni 

• Cover expenses like books and supplies, 

 room and board, or other personal costs like 

 transportation for AmeriCorps alumni 

• One-year enrollment deferrals for individuals 

 to serve in AmeriCorps 

• Academic credit for AmeriCorps experience 

• Other incentives that vary by institution 

How to Get Involved 

Your school can sign up as a School of National 

Service via online form or by contacting 

AmeriCorps via SegalAward@cns.gov. AmeriCorps 

can provide an estimate of how much your 

institution has received in Segal AmeriCorps 

Education Award payments over the last 25 years. 

If you need more information, email 

SegalAward@cns.gov. 

Once approved, download 

and proudly display your 

‘School of National Service’ 

badge on your website and 

collateral. 

AmeriCorps.gov 

@AmeriCorps @AmeriCorpsSr