§ 2522.200 What are the eligibility requirements for an AmeriCorps participant? Cross Reference
Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 46034 , May 28, 2024.
Cross Reference
Link to a correction published at 89 FR 66615 , Aug. 16, 2024.
( a ) *Eligibility.* An AmeriCorps participant must— ( 1 ) ( i ) Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or
( ii ) Be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program described in § 2522.110(b)(3) or (g);
( 2 ) ( i ) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
( ii ) Not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award; or
( iii ) Obtain a waiver from the Corporation of the requirements in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section based on an independent evaluation secured by the program demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
( iv ) Be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091);
( 3 ) Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States;
( 4 ) Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202.
( b ) *Written declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for enrollment.* For purposes of enrollment, if an individual provides a written declaration under penalty of law that he or she meets the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section relating to high school education, a program need not obtain additional documentation of that fact.
( c ) *Primary documentation of status as a U.S. citizen or national.* The following are acceptable forms of certifying status as a U.S. citizen or national: ( 1 ) A birth certificate showing that the individual was born in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands;
( 2 ) A United States passport;
( 3 ) A report of birth abroad of a U.S. Citizen (FS-240) issued by the State Department;
( 4 ) A certificate of birth-foreign service (FS 545) issued by the State Department;
( 5 ) A certification of report of birth (DS-1350) issued by the State Department;
( 6 ) A certificate of naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; or
( 7 ) A certificate of citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
( d ) *Primary documentation of status as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.* The following are acceptable forms of certifying status as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States: ( 1 ) Permanent Resident Card, INS Form I-551;
( 2 ) Alien Registration Receipt Card, INS Form I-551;
( 3 ) A passport indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence; or
( 4 ) A Departure Record (INS Form I-94) indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence.
( e ) *Secondary documentation of citizenship or immigration status.* If primary documentation is not available, the program must obtain written approval from the Corporation that other documentation is sufficient to demonstrate the individual's status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien.
[64 FR 37413, July 12, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 45360, July 9, 2002; 77 FR 60931, Oct. 5, 2012]