AmeriCorps Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy should I become an AmeriCorps member?
What are the eligibility requirements to join AmeriCorps?
Do you have to be a student at Northern Arizona University to join our AmeriCorps program?
What is Youth in Action AmeriCorps?
Can only youth join our AmeriCorps program?
What is the difference between National AmeriCorps and our YiA AmeriCorps program?
Is AmeriCorps like Peace Corps?
How long are AmeriCorps assignments, and are they all full-time?
What are the requirements to successfully complete an AmeriCorps assignment?
What is an Esprit de Corps event?
What is data collection form?
What is a Site AmeriCorps Mentor?
Is joining AmeriCorps like having a regular job?
What happens if I can't complete my AmeriCorps commitment ?
Do AmeriCorps members receive a paycheck?
Is the money AmeriCorps members receive taxed?
Do AmeriCorps members qualify for student loan deferment?
Does AmeriCorps provide Health Insurance?
Does AmeriCorps provide childcare?
May members work at another job while doing AmeriCorps service?
Will I get any training before I start my AmeriCorps service?
How is AmeriCorps pronounced?
How do I apply to become an AmeriCorps member?
Where is the YiA AmeriCorps office located?
Who is the contact person if I have more questions?
Why should I become an AmeriCorps member?
Becoming an AmeriCorps member enables you to do great things for your community while you grow as an individual and attain tangible benefits.Get an Education, Experience, and Skills
Put your idealism to work through AmeriCorps. Make a community safer. Help a child receive a meaningful education. Protect the environment. Whatever your interest, there is an AmeriCorps opportunity that needs your courage, your skills, and your dedication.You will learn teamwork, communication, responsibility, and other essential skills that will help you for the rest of your life. And you'll gain the personal satisfaction of taking on a challenge and seeing results.
Are you up to the challenge? Click here to apply.
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What are the eligibility requirements to join AmeriCorps?
To qualify for our AmeriCorps program you must:
- Be a United States citizen, United States national or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Be at least 17* years of age. **THERE IS NO UPPER AGE LIMIT**
- Have received or be working toward a high school diploma or GED.
- Be ready to change your community through meaningful service.
Also, qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply! We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals upon request.
*You must turn 18 years old by the time you finish your AmeriCorps term.
Do you have to be a student at Northern Arizona University to join our AmeriCorps program?
No. While several of our members are NAU students, we have many other AmeriCorps members who are not.
What is Youth in Action AmeriCorps?
We are a multi-site AmeriCorps program that provides persons 17* years and older the opportunity to participate in serving their community. Our AmeriCorps members commit one year of their lives to doing meaningful service at one of our many sites in Flagstaff, Arizona and Coconino county.
*You must turn 18 years old by the time you finish your AmeriCorps term.
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Can only youth join our AmeriCorps program?
NO!!! -We believe that people can be "youthful" at any age! Our AmeriCorps members are of all ages and come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. There is NO upper age limit for our program but the minimum age to apply is 17 years old .
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What is the difference between National AmeriCorps and the
YiA Program?
AmeriCorps is a national program. There are individual programs located throughout the United States. If you are interested in finding out about programs in other locations please go to the National website: www.americorps.org. Youth in Action is the name of our individual AmeriCorps program in Flagstaff, Arizona.Back to Top
Is AmeriCorps like Peace Corps?
Yes. AmeriCorps is often referred to as "the domestic Peace Corps." Both agencies are committed to service, and both offer challenging and rewarding opportunities. Peace Corps assignments are all overseas, and AmeriCorps members serve only in the US. While Peace Corps Volunteers serve for two years, an AmeriCorps term lasts one year.
How long are AmeriCorps assignments, and are they all full-time?
Our AmeriCorps assignments last approximately 1 year. Our next AmeriCorps assignments start January, 2007 and end January, 2008.Our assignments range from approximately 6 hours per week to 35 hours per week, depending on the individual AmeriCorps assignments. We have four levels of AmeriCorps assignment hourly commitment:
- Full-time AmeriCorps position = 1700 hrs completed in 1 year = approx. 35 hrs / week.
- Part-time AmeriCorps position = 900 hrs completed in 1 year = approx. 20 hrs / week.
- Quarter-time AmeriCorps position = 450 hrs completed in 1 year = approx. 10 hrs / week.
- Minimum-time AmeriCorps position = 300 hrs completed in 1 year = approx. 6 hrs / week.
What are the requirements to successfully complete an AmeriCorps assignment?
Our members are required to fulfill the following expectations:
- Attend AmeriCorps orientation
- Complete all service hours
- Participate in 6 Esprit de Corps events
- Turn in one data collection form per month reporting service updates and news
- Turn in timesheets on a biweekly basis
- Attend the annual AmeriCorps summer conference held at NAU in the 3rd week of July
What is an Esprit de Corps event?
Phonetically pronounced: Is-prE-de-kôr. It is defined as the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group.Our AmeriCorps members unite in Esprit de Corps events by participating in group service projects and professional development trainings. Since our AmeriCorps members are spread out in the community on different assignments, Esprit de Corps events allow our members to join together, connecting as a team, in a common cause. Ultimately, Esprit de Corps events strengthen the relationships of our AmeriCorps members and provide members with new ways to get involved in our community.
Our AmeriCorps members participate 6 Esprit de Corps events; 3 professional development EDC's and 3 service EDC's. Click here to view our calendar of Esprit de Corps events.Back to Top
What is data collection form?
A data collection form is our tool for tracking how our members are improving the community in their AmeriCorps assignments. Every month, each member completes a data collection form and then emails it to our office. Next, all the data collection forms are compiled to show the overall impact our program is having on our community.
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What is a site mentor?
A site mentor is the AmeriCorps member's direct supervisor. Site mentors also provide guidance to AmeriCorps members through their term of service. The site mentor is the person the member goes to for questions regarding the AmeriCorps assignment.. Ultimately, site mentors act as role models, teachers, confidants, and leaders.Back to Top
Is joining AmeriCorps like having a regular job?
No, it is much different for several reasons:
1) AmeriCorps is about service. The purpose of AmeriCorps is to serve others and the community.
2) AmeriCorps is about commitment. Members commit 1 year of their lives to their AmeriCorps assignments.
3) AmeriCorps members live on a small budget. Members receive a small living stipend to help cover the costs of basic living expenses.
4) AmeriCorps is about personal and professional growth. Not only is AmeriCorps personally rewarding, our members are given substantial responsibility in their assignments and learn many new professional skills.
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What happens if I can't complete my hours?
In most cases, failure to complete an AmeriCorps commitment results in forfeiting the opportunity for future AmeriCorps involvement and the educational award. However, if an AmeriCorps member has personal and compelling circumstances (e.g. major illness or death in the family), he or she can earn a prorated amount of the educational voucher and be allowed to reenroll in AmeriCorps at a later date.Back to Top
Do AmeriCorps Members receive a paycheck?
Yes. AmeriCorps members receive a biweekly living stipend during their service to help cover the costs of basic living expenses. The amount of the living stipend varies depending on the member's assignment. AmeriCorps members who complete a term of service also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.
Is the money AmeriCorps members receive taxed?
Yes, the living stipend and the educational award that AmeriCorps Members receive are considered taxable income by the I.R.S.Back to Top
Do AmeriCorps Members qualify for student loan deferment?
AmeriCorps members may qualify for postponement, or forbearance, of the repayment of student loans during service. In addition, the education award helps AmeriCorps members pay off qualified student loans. Contact your lender for more specific information or to confirm your loan status during AmeriCorps service.
Does AmeriCorps provide health insurance?
AmeriCorps provides health insurance to FULL-TIME (1700 hour assignments) members only. Unfortunately, we do not provide health insurance for members who do not have full time assignments.Back to Top
Does AmeriCorps provide child care?
AmeriCorps provides child care to FULL-TIME (1700 hour assignments) members only. Unfortunately, we do not child care for members who do not have full time assignments.Back to Top
May members work at another job while doing AmeriCorps service?
Upon approval. If a member wants to work at another job during their AmeriCorps assignment, he or she must get prior approval from both their AmeriCorps site mentor and the AmeriCorps office. Approval is typically given when it is clear that a 2nd job will not interfere with the member's AmeriCorps assignment.
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Do AmeriCorps members receive training before they start their assignments?
Absolutely. All members receive an thorough orientation before they begin their assignments, as well as project-specific trainings during service.
How is AmeriCorps pronounced?
It is phonetically pronounced: ameri-core. This "s" is silent.Back to Top
How do I apply to become an AmeriCorps member?
Becoming an AmeriCorps member is a four step process:1) First, complete our application. The AmeriCorps Applicant Checklist Form and the AmeriCorps Member Application are available by clicking on the links below:
AmeriCorps Applicant Checklist Form
AmeriCorps Member Application (Applications are also available at our office)Also, click here to view our open assignments
Turn in your AmeriCorps application to our office, located at:
NAU (north campus)
Riles Building (#15)
Room #3072) Next, qualified applicants are contacted to attend an AmeriCorps applicant orientation.
3) Then, applicants are interviewed by their chosen AmeriCorps assignment site(s).
4) The new AmeriCorps member attends our orientation and then begins their assignment.
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Where is our AmeriCorps office located?
Our AmeriCorps office is located at:Northern Arizona University
*Riles Building, #15
Room 307
(928) 523-9043
*The Riles Building is on North Campus, on the corner of Tormey Ave and Knoles Dr., south of Old Main.
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Who should I contact if I have more questions??
For further information please contact:Ryan Daily
Program Coordinator
(928) 523-9043
ameriCorps3@gmail.com
Northern Arizona University
Box 6025
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
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