Segal Education Award

Members who complete their AmeriCorps service term are eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This award can be used to repay student loans or pay current higher education tuition and certified training programs.

Paying Off Student Loans

Most postsecondary loans backed by the federal government are considered by law to be qualified for repayment with a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This includes both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Also, loans that are made by state agencies, including state colleges and universities are considered qualified.

Paying Educational Expenses

Members can use their education award to pay current educational expenses at eligible schools and certain GI Bill-approved educational programs for veterans. Eligible schools are higher educational institutions, both domestic and foreign, that currently participate in the Department of Education’s Title IV student aid programs. This category includes most post-secondary colleges, universities, and technical schools.

  • Anyone who completes a service term within a 12-month period in one of the following programs:

    • AmeriCorps State & National

    • AmeriCorps VISTA*

    • AmeriCorps NCCC

    *VISTA members may be eligible to choose a cash option in place of the education award

    • Stafford Loans

    • Primary Care Loans

    • William D. Ford Direct Loans

    • Perkins Loans

    • Federal Consolidated Loans

    • Nursing Student Loans

    • Supplemental Loans for Students

    • Health Education Assistance Loans

    • Loans issued to AmeriCorps members by state agencies, including state institutions of higher education

    • Title IV courses: The Cost of Attendance (COA) may include tuition, books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and other expenses. 

    • Non-Title IV educational courses offered by a Title IV institution: tuition and fees normally assessed a student for a course or program of study by the institution, including costs for rental or purchase of any books or supplies.

    • See Section 2525.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations for additional information on eligible expenses for students taking non-Title IV courses, students taking correspondence courses, students with disabilities, and students engaged in cooperative education programs.

    • Costs associated with courses or programs authorized under the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. 

  • Current limits on number of terms an individual can serve:

    • AmeriCorps State and National - 4 terms

    • AmeriCorps VISTA - 5 total years of service

This presentation covers using your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and avoiding some common pitfalls. The webinar provides in-depth information about using your award to repay student loans, to pay for various educational expenses, tax implications of using your Education Award, Schools of National Service, and other valuable information to help you make the most of this AmeriCorps service benefit.

“How to Access Your Award”, start the video at 6:14.

“How to Transfer Your Award to a Child or Grandchild”, start video at 29:31.

We’re here to help you!

Reach out to your Arizona Serve Program Manager / Team Lead and we can help clarify any questions you may have!