Full Time Member Benefits

As an AmeriCorps Member, you will receive a wealth of benefits. Perhaps the biggest benefit you will experience when you join AmeriCorps is the satisfaction of incorporating service into your life and making a difference in your community and your country. Whether you are tutoring kids, building homes, clearing trails or responding to a natural disaster, you will see the direct results of your work.

But there is more. As an AmeriCorps member, you’ll be eligible for a variety of benefits that make the dedication of a year of your life worthwhile.

You Will Be Able to Pay Your Bills

AmeriCorps St. Louis Members receive a modest living allowance. You will not get rich from it, but most AmeriCorps members have found that it covers their basic expenses

Help with College Costs and Student Loans

Each AmeriCorps Member who successfully completes a term of AmeriCorps service will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay educational expenses at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. You have up to seven years after your term of service has ended to claim the award.

* If you successfully complete a term of service in AmeriCorps VISTA, you are eligible to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or an end-of-service stipend.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created two new federal programs: a new Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and a new Income-Based Repayment plan (IBR) for the repayment of federal loans. The new Income-Based Repayment plan helps to make repaying education loans more affordable for low-income borrowers, such as an AmeriCorps member living on a stipend; AmeriCorps service is also recognized as equivalent to a public service job for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Professional Development

As an AmeriCorps member, you will gain valuable experience that translates directly into job experience in your chosen field. You will learn teamwork, communication, responsibility, and other essential skills that will help you for the rest of your life. Many find their AmeriCorps year to provide them with more experience and skills than they would have gotten in a traditional, paying job.

Benefits

For full-time AmeriCorps Members, a small living allowance is provided to defray the cost of living is provided and is dispensed at the end of each month.  The educational award is a voucher received upon successful completion of a Member’s term of service, and can be used either to repay student loans or for future educational expenses.  Members can serve up to 2 terms.

  • Annual Living Allowance: $11,800, distributed at the end of each month
  • Student loan forbearance
  • Training
  • Basic Health Coverage
  • Basic Dental Coverage
  • Child Care for Members who qualify

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process?

Applications and references can be submitted:

  1. online on our website
  2. online at americorps.gov
  3. by mail
  4. in person at 1315 Ann Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
  5. by fax at 314.722.7109

For applications that pass an initial staff review, applicants will be contacted within two weeks to schedule an interview (either in person or over the phone). After the individual interview, successful candidates (from the St. Louis area) will be invited to participate in a group interview. The entire process can take up to 6 weeks. Approximately 1 in 8 applicants is selected to be an AmeriCorps St. Louis Member.

How do I receive my living allowance?

Upon your successful completion of the pre-service training, you will receive a partial month’s living allowance. Thereafter, living allowances are distributed the second to last business day of each month. All paperwork must be submitted in order to receive your monthly living allowance.

What’s the Corps’ atmosphere?

Our wide range of Members make everyday we are together exciting. Each service site has an AmeriCorps team that serves together daily. As a program, we have training at least twice a month where Members reconnect with those they don’t serve with on a daily basis. Corps Members frequently hang out to see a movie, go to a concert, play Frisbee in the park, or have a weekend camping trip. If you’re interested, you can always find something to do. Many Members also reduce living expenses by sharing housing.

Do I need my own transportation?

It is not necessary to have your own transportation, but it makes life much easier. Most of our sites are on a bus line (Bi-State). In addition, St. Louis has a train (MetroLink) that runs through a few locations within the city and the county. Fare for both the Bi-State and the MetroLink are the responsiblity of the Member. A monthly pass ($50) is suggested. Many of our Members also get around by bike.

Are AmeriCorps trips paid for by the program (food, lodging, etc.)?

The program pays for trips, including food and lodging. At times, it may be necessary to bring a sack lunch for the road or a little money for personal snacks.

Do I get time off?

You will have minimal time to use in the event that you are sick or have a family or personal responsibility to attend to during your term of service. Missed time is to be made up within two weeks. This will be explained in more detail in training. Unlike a job, you do not earn time off, but rather accumulate hours.

Do I get holidays off? Which ones?

Members do not serve on Christmas(about a 1 week break), Easter Monday, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and 4th of July. These off days are built into your service, so you do not have to worry about being short hours upon completion of your term.

How do I know if I qualify for childcare?

Childcare is based on income qualifications; please contact our office for a guideline sheet.

Education Corps FAQ

When will I know where I will serve?

School site placement will be given after the two-week pre-service training.

What exactly is immersion?

Immersion is the term for our mandatory first two weeks of training when you will be immersed in the AmeriCorps community, from history to policies and procedures. The first week of Immersion is held out of town. The first two days of Immersion are an outdoor experiential adventure we call Quest. Quest is designed to be a metaphor for your year ahead. Our staff is highly trained in experiential outdoor learning, and safety is our number one priority.

If I need special accommodations for the first week or Immersion, what do I do?

Please contact our office immediately to work out details.

If I am serving in education, what do I do in the summer?

Most of our Members are placed into summer-long youth alternative programs. Everyone will have plenty to do in the summer.

Emergency Response Team FAQ

Coming soon.