Benefits of Service
Monthly Living Stipend
While in service with AmeriCorps, members receive a living stipend to cover their expenses. Green Iowa AmeriCorps members receive their living stipend on a monthly basis distributed by the University of Northern Iowa. Living allowance amounts are based on term commitments. Members can sign on for an 11-month, 6-month, or 3-month term of service with Green Iowa AmeriCorps.
Segal Education Award
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is offered to members who complete a full term of service and can be used to pay for a range of educational expenses, like repaying qualified student loans or future tuition payments. The Segal Education Award can also be used in nontraditional ways, like paying for a study abroad trip, outdoor adventure and leadership programs like NOLS and Outward Bound, trade school, non-degree seeking classes, and certifications!
Members can earn up to two full Education Awards with multiple service terms. Visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more to learn more about award amounts and uses.
Member Assistance Program (MAP)
All Green Iowa AmeriCorps members are covered by an extended benefits plan for the duration of their service term called the Member Assistance Program (MAP), a contracted service through AllOne Health. MAP provides a variety of services to support members as well as all members of their households.
Services include the following: 24/7/365, toll-free telephonic mental health counseling services with master’s degree-level counselors; Mobile application providing chat functionality, video counseling, and web portal of resources; Personal Assistant; Medical Advocacy; Life Coaching; and Legal/Financial Resources (30-minute free consultations), Plus three (3) face-to-face or virtual counseling sessions with master's-degree level counselors
All services are private, confidential, and free to members and their household.
Professional Development Training
While in service with our program members may serve a portion of their hours dedicated to professional development training relevant to their future career goals. Members have the opportunity to attend trainings, conferences and work on certifications during their term. 11-month and 6-month members are allocated up to $150 to use towards these trainings and certifications.
All members serving with Green Iowa AmeriCorps complete a Professional Development Project (PDP) to demonstrate the skills they learned.
Healthcare (CIGNA)
Members that serve in 11-month and 6-month service positions with Green Iowa AmeriCorps can qualify to enroll in program supported health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental, at no additional cost to the member. The program covers the monthly deductibles, members are only responsible for any deductibles or co-pays assiciated with using the coverage.
This benefit is only available to members who are not already covered by another form of health insurance and only applies to the member. Members may enroll at any point throughout their term of service, coverage will begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day.
Childcare Assistance
11-month and 6-month members serving a minimum of 28 hours per week are eligible to enroll in the Childcare assistance program provided by GAP Solutions. Qualifications are based on the income of your household. Both members and their providers need to complete the application and enrollment process to utilize the service.
Childcare payments go directly from GAP solutions to the childcare provider. The application, FAQs and details can all be found on the AmeriCorps Childcare website: https://americorpschildcare.com/
Loan Forbearance & Interest Accrual Repayment
Individuals who serve in an approved program may be eligible to have the repayment of their qualified student loans postponed while serving. This postponement is called forbearance. You may be eligible for loan forbearance based on your national service. While interest may continue to accrue during your service, if you successfully complete the term of service the National Service Trust will pay all or a portion of the qualified loan's interest that accrued during your service. More information can be found at https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more
Loan Forgiveness
Members who serve in an AmeriCorps program may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To learn more please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Federal Assistance Programs
You may be eligible for other federal assistance as a state AmeriCorps program member, based on your individual circumstances. To review eligibility for Food Assistance (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, Supplemental Security Income, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized housing and other programs, please review the AmeriCorps Member Public Benefits Information document at https://www.volunteeriowa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021/09/americorps_member_public_benefits_information_guide.pdf
GIA Career Competencies Trainings
All Green Iowa AmeriCorps members are eligible to participate in one or more career competencies trainings offered by the program during their service term. These trainings are geared toward helping members learn or build upon skills that they would need in a professional office environment. Training topics could include how to write a professional email, introductions to Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office, using Zoom, how to schedule and conduct meetings, online calendar use, and other topics.
These trainings are option and are open to all members to participate in as much or as little as they'd like.
1-on-1 Mentorship
Our mentorship program connects incoming 11-month and 6-month members to Staff, Team Leaders and Alumni to provide 1 on 1 support during the term. To have a professional mentor or individual to connect with during your term to give guidance, support, and a consistent presence during the ups and downs of service can be exactly what a member needs to make the most of their service experience.
Members are not required to sign up for a mentor, but we encourage members to do so if they feel they could benefit from additional support and guidance.
Additional Assistance Funds
There are several opportunities throughout member service terms for AmeriCorps members to apply for financial assistance to support them while serving as national service members. These funds are offered through outside partnerships and require members to apply independently to be awarded these benefits. Some examples of this funding include: The CorpsNetwork Sagawa Relief Fund, Volunteer Iowa's Member Emergency/Financial Assistance Fund, The Affordable Connectivity Program, and more.