My AmeriCorps / 

eGrants

User Guide

VISTA Sponsors

Updated May 2021
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors i

Table of Contents

1. Overview.................................................................................................................................................................1

Audience.................................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................................1

Contents .................................................................................................................................................................1

2. New Users ..............................................................................................................................................................2

2.1. System Overview: Using eGrants/My AmeriCorps ........................................................................................2

2.1.1 Hardware and Software Requirements .........................................................................................................2

Computer .......................................................................................................................................................2

Internet Connection........................................................................................................................................2

Browser..........................................................................................................................................................2

Browser Settings ............................................................................................................................................2

2.1.2eGrants: Grants Management .......................................................................................................................2

2.1.3eGrants: Recruitment and Member Management..........................................................................................3

2.1.4My AmeriCorps: Connecting Applicants & Members to Sponsors.................................................................3

3. Create an eGrants Account ..................................................................................................................................4

Process4

4. Basic Navigation....................................................................................................................................................10

4.1 Accessing the My AmeriCorps Portal Functions..........................................................................................10

4.1.1eGrants Interface .........................................................................................................................................10

4.1.2User Roles....................................................................................................................................................11

Grantee with Recruitment: ...........................................................................................................................11

Grantee with Member Management: ...........................................................................................................11

5 Using the My AmeriCorps Portal: Accessand Navigation ..............................................................................12

5.1 My Home Page ............................................................................................................................................12

5.2 My Workbaskets...........................................................................................................................................12

5.2.1Recruitment/Pending Applications ...............................................................................................................13

5.2.2V-81 Transportation Forms ..........................................................................................................................13

5.2.3Future Plans Forms......................................................................................................................................14

5.2.4Training14

1. CNCS Events........................................................................................................................................................15

6.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................15

6.2 Search Events..............................................................................................................................................15

Process15

6.3 View Event ...................................................................................................................................................17

Process17

6.4 Enroll in Event ..............................................................................................................................................18

Process18

6.5 Edit or Cancel Event Enrollment ..................................................................................................................19

Process19

7 Sponsor Verification Report...............................................................................................................................21

7.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................21
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors i

7.2 Process21

8 Close-of-Service Process ...................................................................................................................................23

8.1 Overview and Workflow ...............................................................................................................................23

8.2 Sign Future Plans Form ...............................................................................................................................24

Process24

Additional Resources ...........................................................................................................................................25
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 1

1. Overview

Audience

The audiences for this User Guide are VISTA sponsors.

Purpose

The purpose of this User Guide is to provide you with a necessary tool to help you 

understand how to use My AmeriCorps (“the Portal”) through the eGrants interface. It 

will also help you to understand the processes, benefits and functionality that are 

related to Recruitment, Member Management, and Close-of-Service.

Contents

In this User Guide, you will find an overview of the Portal with step-by-step instructions 

and screen shots. The focus for the VISTA Sponsor is on the following components 

and the User Guide will emphasize these processes:

• Recruitment & Application Process

• V-81 Transportation Forms

• In-Service Training Requests

• CNCS Events

• Sponsor Verification Reports

• Future Plans Forms
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 2

2. New Users

2.1. System Overview: Using eGrants/My AmeriCorps

If you are new to AmeriCorps VISTA, this section will provide you with a brief 

introduction to the system.

2.1.1 Hardware and Software Requirements

The following hardware, software, and settings are recommended to take advantage of 

all of eGrants' features:

Computer

eGrants works best on later model PCs or Macintosh computers of the Power 

Macintosh generation or later. Earlier or less powerful machines, such as 486 PCs or 

Mac Classics, may run acceptably when paired with a fast internet connection, 

assuming the computer contains sufficient memory to run one of the browsers 

specified below.

Internet Connection

eGrants can be accessed by machines using DSL, T1, cable modems, or dial-up 

connections using a modem rate of 28.8 K Baud or higher. It is not recommended that 

an "online service provider,” such as AOL or Compuserve, be used to connect to 

eGrants, because they present special training issues for novice users.

Browser

eGrants works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, Firefox 1.5, Netscape 3.0, or 

higher.

Browser Settings

Your web browser's popup blocker must be turned off in order for you to edit or view

some eGrants pages.

It is not necessary to accept cookies or to have a Flash player loaded to view eGrants.

2.1.2 eGrants: Grants Management

eGrants is the AmeriCorps web-based system for:

• Submitting and tracking grant applications and concept papers;

• Peer-reviewing on-line grant applications;

• Negotiating and awarding grants and cooperative agreements;

• Managing grants and cooperative agreements including processing 

amendments, continuations; and

• Financial Status and Progress Reporting.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 3

In short, eGrants is an online system designed to automate the entire grants 

and project management process from application to closeout. It allows 

applicants to find funding opportunities, apply for grants or projects, and 

manage grant reporting online. The system also allows AmeriCorps staff to 

review applications, award grants, and manage those grants and projects 

efficiently and effectively.

2.1.3 eGrants: Recruitment and Member Management

eGrants now also serves as the gateway to using (the My AmeriCorps) functions for 

recruitment and member management. These functions will be used within eGrants, 

but also connect to the My AmeriCorps member portal. Using this functionality, you 

can:

• Create and update VISTA project descriptions

• View member applications and references for your VISTA project

• Submit the Sponsor Evaluation and select applicants

• Approve assignment-related transportation forms (V-81), if needed

• View and sign member Future Plans Forms

• Generate sponsor verification reports

• Search for members serving on your project(s) and access their

contact information

2.1.4 My AmeriCorps: Connecting Applicants & Members to Sponsors

As a VISTA sponsor, the data you enter and manipulate in eGrants with respect to 

Recruitment and Member Management is also part of the My AmeriCorps portal. For 

those of you who are new to My AmeriCorps, it is an online space designed to manage 

the AmeriCorps experience for our volunteers.

The application data you see when an individual applies is actually directly entered by 

the applicant using My AmeriCorps. When you select the individual for your project, 

their selection is immediately reflected in the customized home page for the applicant. 

My AmeriCorps links you to your applicants and members and vice versa.

The site is built to be interactive so that when a member applies to your program, you 

will receive an initial email notification. This also occurs when you receive a Future 

Plans form from a member. As you change the status of an application or request 

form, the applicant or member also receives an alert to check the status. This keeps 

the process as transparent and progressive as possible.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 4

3. Create an eGrants Account

To use the functionality of the Portal, users must have an eGrants account. If you do 

not have eGrants accounts, you can create one from the eGrants login page 

(https://egrants.cns.gov).

Process

1. Click on the “Don’t have 

an eGrants account? 

Create an account” link to 

create a new account.

2. Click on the link to “create 

a grantee account.”

3. Click on the link that 

indicates that it is your first 

time using eGrants.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 5

4. Complete all of the 

required fields. Be sure 

that your contact 

information is correct. The 

password requirements 

are:

a. Must contain at least 8 

characters

b. Must contain at least 1 

number, but cannot 

begin with a number

c. Cannot contain a word 

found in the dictionary

d. Cannot contain special 

characters such as

!@#$%^&*()_?><

e. Cannot contain your 

username

5. Click on “next” to advance 

to the next screen.

6. Enter your EIN (Employer 

Identification Number) and 

click on “next” to advance 

to the next screen.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 6

7. Select an option to either 

create a new profile or to 

select an existing 

organization.

8. Click on “next” to advance 

to the next screen.

9. Review your information 

and click on “next” to 

advance to the next 

screen.

10.Enter your phone 

number(s) and click on 

“next” to advance to the 

next screen.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 7

Conduct a final review of your 

information:

11.Click on “change” to select 

a different organization or 

to create a new one.

12.Click on “edit” to change 

your login credentials.

13.Click on “edit” to change 

your daytime phone.

14.Click on “submit” if your 

information is correct.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 8

15.View confirmation, as well 

as helpful numbers and 

contact information for 

further assistance. The 

Grantee Administrator will 

receive email alerts when 

new users can be 

assigned the appropriate 

roles in eGrants.

16.Proceed to login.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 9

17.If a new user has not been 

assigned a role by the 

Grantee Administrator, the 

user will be directed to this

screen upon logging in.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 10

4. Basic Navigation

4.1 Accessing the My AmeriCorps Portal Functions

4.1.1 eGrants Interface

Sponsors access the My AmeriCorps Portal functions through the eGrants interface at 

https://egrants.cns.gov/ using their eGrants login/password. If you do not have an 

eGrants account and will need to access the Portal functions within eGrants, you’ll 

need to contact your Grantee Administrator to be granted access or use the login page 

to create an eGrants account.

If you forget your password, the eGrants Help Desk can send you information for 

resetting the password to the email address you provided when you created your 

account. After resetting your password you will be able to log back into eGrants. If you 

attempt to log into the system three times in a single session without providing the 

correct password, your account will be locked and you must contact the eGrants Help 

Desk to have it reset.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 11

4.1.2 User Roles

Existing eGrants users who need to use the recruitment and/or member 

management features of the My AmeriCorps Portal will need to get new roles assigned 

to them by their Grantee Administrator.

New users will need to first have their eGrants account set up with specific roles to 

use the Portal features within eGrants.

You will need one or both of the following roles to use the various portal features 

within eGrants. The activities you can complete with each role are listed below:

Grantee with Recruitment:

• Create and update service opportunity descriptions

• Search for applicants, by individuals, skill sets, language, education level

and availability

• Access applicants’ contact information, profile, and personal information

• View applications

• Reach out to applicants to alert them to service opportunities

• Review references submitted with applications

• Select or reject applicants

Grantee with Member Management:

• View and approve V-81 (Use of Vehicles) forms, as needed

• View and sign Future Plans forms

• Search for, view and enroll members/supervisors in CNCS events

• Review and submit biweekly Sponsor Verification reports
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 12

5. Using the My AmeriCorps Portal: Accessand 

Navigation

4.2 My Home Page

After you log into eGrants, 

you can access the Portal 

from links listed under the 

“View My AmeriCorps Portal” 

box.

Once you click this link, you 

can access all areas of the 

Portal using the four top 

navigation tabs (or 

Workbaskets): Recruitment, 

V-81 Forms, Future Plans 

Forms, and Training. Since 

your primary portal 

responsibilities fall under the 

Recruitment category, this 

page will be your default 

Home Page view.

4.3 My Workbaskets

The Portal is designed to group pending tasks by type and display them in separate 

areas for ease of access. These areas are called Workbaskets and are specific to 

each user. This means a user can only view data and perform tasks in the Portal that 

they have access to.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 13

4.3.1 Recruitment/Pending Applications

The Recruitment Workbasket 

is your Home Page. This 

Workbasket will display all 

pending application 

submissions for your 

project(s). Also, you may use 

the Recruitment links in the 

left navigation on this tab to 

create and edit service 

opportunities, search for 

potential applicants, and 

search for application 

submissions.

4.3.2 V-81 Transportation Forms

This tab will display V-81 

transportation forms 

submitted by members 

serving on your project(s) that 

are pending your approval.

Please note that this form is 

only collected for members 

engaged in a transportation 

accident during service 

related travel.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 14

4.3.3 Future Plans Forms

This tab will display all Future 

Plans Forms submitted by 

members serving on your 

project(s) who are reaching 

the end of their service term.

4.3.4 Training

This tab will display 

AmeriCorps events in which

you have enrolled members 

and/or supervisors.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 15

1. CNCS Events

6.1 Overview

As a VISTA sponsor, you will be able to search for, view and enroll your members 

and/or supervisors in AmeriCorps training events created in the Portal.

6.2 Search Events

In order to view and enroll members in an event, you will first need to use the Search 

Events tool. You can use this functionality to browse through events or find a specific 

event that you want to create an enrollment for. You may narrow your search by any of 

the following criteria: Event Name, Event Code, City, State, Start Date, End Date, 

Event Type, or Related Project.

Process

6.2.1 Click on “Manage Events” 

in the left navigation menu.

6.2.2 Enter one or more search 

criteria to filter your event 

results.

6.2.3 Click on “search.”
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 16

6.2.4 To navigate between 

search result pages (if 

more than 10 results are 

generated), use the 

upper-right navigation.

6.2.5 To view an event in the 

Search Results, click the 

“Event Name.”

6.2.6 To modify or narrow your 

search criteria, click on 

“search again.”
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 17

6.3 View Event

All information entered by AmeriCorps staff pertaining to the event will be displayed on 

the View Event page, including basic event information (e.g., Name, Code, Location, 

Dates), as well as Event Logistics, Travel Information, Event Financials, and additional 

Comments and Instructions. This will also create an enrollment from this page.

Process

6.3.1 Continue from Step 5 in 

Section 6.2 Search Events 

(click the Event Name).

6.3.2 Review AmeriCorps

event information

entered.

6.3.3 Click on “back” to return to 

search results.

6.3.4 Click on “enroll” to enroll 

VISTA members and/or 

supervisors serving on your 

project(s) in the event. 

Continue to Section 8.4: 

Enroll in Event.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 18

6.4 Enroll in Event

You may enroll any members or supervisors serving on a VISTA project team in an 

AmeriCorps event. You can create an enrollment based on project team or select 

members and/or supervisors on an individual basis.

Process

6.4.1 Continue from Step 4 

Section 8.3: View Event 

(Click on “enroll”).

6.4.2 Review basic information 

on the event.

6.4.3 Select those members 

and/or supervisors whom 

you wish to enroll in the 

event. You may enroll by 

project team or 

individually.

6.4.4 Click on “cancel” to return 

to the View Event page.

6.4.5 Click on “enroll” to submit 

the enrollment.

6.4.6 You will be directed to the 

Training tab, and the new 

enrollment will appear 

under “CNCS Events.”
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 19

6.5 Edit or Cancel Event Enrollment

If you need to update or cancel an enrollment in an AmeriCorps event, you may do 

so from the CNCS Events section on the Training tab. You can only edit an 

enrollment in an event with a future Start Date.

Process

6.5.1 Continue from Step 6 in 

Section 8.4: Enroll in 

Event.

6.5.2 Click on the “Event Name” 

under CNCS Events.

6.5.3 Click on “enroll” to edit or 

cancel the current 

enrollment.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 20

6.5.4 Modify selection of enrolled 

members and/or 

supervisors as necessary. 

To cancel enrollment, 

deselect all project teams, 

members and/or 

supervisors.

6.5.5 Click on “enroll” to save and 

submit changes to the 

enrollment. You will be 

redirected to the Training 

tab.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 21

7 Sponsor Verification Report

7.1 Overview

In order to verify that VISTAs are enrolled and continuing to serve, VISTA sponsors 

are required to complete a “sponsor verification report” every two weeks. Sponsors will 

receive an email reminder asking them to visit the portal to complete the report.

7.2 Process

7.2.1 Log into eGrants

7.2.2 Navigate to the My 

AmeriCorps Portal home

7.2.3 Navigate to the VISTA Workbasket and click on the “Sponsor Verification” tab.

7.2.4 Click on the project number to pull up that pay period’s verification roster.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 22

7.2.5 Review the list of VISTAs. 

The drop-down menu 

defaults to “no action,”

which indicates the VISTA 

member is still serving.

7.2.6 If a VISTA has left the 

project since the last 

report, select the reason 

by using the drop-down

menu.

7.2.7 When all VISTAs are 

accounted for, click on the 

Certify button.

7.2.8 A message indicating successful submission will appear and the current pay period’s 

verification will appear in the list.

7.2.9 If a report is delinquent, it must be completed before a new report can be certified.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 23

8 Close-of-Service Process

8.1 Overview and Workflow

The VISTA close-of-service process begins 90 days prior to the member’s expected 

completion date. At that time, the member receives an e-mail notification that Close-ofService forms are ready to be completed. While the member will typically complete 

these forms, the VMSU and Region Office have the ability to complete them on behalf 

of a member as well. The VMSU or Region Office may select to make these forms 

available to a member earlier than this 90-day trigger date on a case-by-case basis.

Part A of the Future Plans Form, once completed by the member, is forwarded to you, 

the member’s supervisor, for review and signature. After conducting the exit interview 

with the member, the supervisor completes Part B and electronically signs the form. It 

is then sent back to the member for review and signature. Once the member signs the 

form, it is sent to the AmeriCorps Regional Office for final approval.

Below is a summary workflow which highlights the sponsor’s role in the close-ofservice process.

My AmeriCorps: Sends 

email to member 90 

days before completion 

date

Member: Logs into 

Portal to complete Exit 

Form, Future Plans 

Form (FPF), and 

Member Survey

Sponsor: Receives and 

reviews FPF in 

workbasket

Sponsor: Conducts exit 

interview with member

Sponsor: Complets and 

signs FPF in eGrants

Member: Responds to 

sponsor's comments 

(optional) and signs FPF

Regional Office: 

Receives FPF in 

workbasket; reviews, 

approves/rejects form

VMSU or Regional 

Office: Receives Close of 

Service Request with 

FPF; closes assignment 

as directed
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 24

8.2 Sign Future Plans Form

Once the member has completed Part A of the Future Plans Form, it will appear in 

your Future Plans Forms workbasket for review. Upon conducting the exit interview 

with the member, you, as the member’s supervisor, complete and certify the form. It 

is then forwarded to the member to review your evaluation and recommendation 

and sign the form. The member will have the ability to respond to your evaluation in 

a comments box.

Process

8.2.1 From the Future Plans

Forms tab, click on a 

member’s name that has a 

status of “Pending 

Sponsor Signature.” This 

will bring you to the Future 

Plans Form for that 

member.
My AmeriCorps Portal User Guide – VISTA Sponsors 25

8.2.2 Review Part A of Future 

Plans Form for 

information entered by 

the member.

8.2.3 Complete description of 

member’s duties and 

accomplishments while 

serving with your 

organization.

8.2.4 Select a rating for the 

member for each quality 

listed to the left.

8.2.5 Select your 

recommendation for the 

member upon close-ofservice. For exits, whether 

the member is terminating 

early or on time, select 

“Termination” as your

recommendation.

8.2.6 Click “certify.”

You will be directed to your 

Future Plans Form 

workbasket. The status of 

the form you certified should 

now be “Pending Member 

Signature.”

Additional Resources

The following resources are also available:

• Creating a New eGrants User Account

• My AmeriCorps and eGrants User Roles

• My AmeriCorps/eGrants User Guide for Grantee Administrators

For additional assistance, you may contact the eGrants Help Desk at:

Phone: 888-942-2677

Web Form: questions.nationalservice.gov