AmeriCorps*VISTA
Volunteers In Service To America
NDSU
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
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Volunteers In Service To America
NDSU
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
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Benefits in DetailTraining & Professional Development Non-Competitive Eligibility in Federal Civil Service
If you still have questions please contact us or
find more information from the
VISTA handbook. Living Allowance
VISTA members are giving a living allowance every two weeks. This allowance may not seem like much but VISTAs soon learn that it is a very livable amount. The living allowance has Federal taxes withheld however state, local and Social Security taxes are NOT currently withheld. It is distributed to you by direct deposit.
Holiday, Sick & Personal Days
Term of VISTA Service is for 12 months, serving 40 hours a week in order to reach the 1700 hour requirement, which excludes the Pre Service Training. During these 12 months VISTA members are allowed 80 hours for personal leave and 80 hours for sick leave. Five additional sick days maybe approved by the State Program Director in special cases.
All Federal holidays are days off for VISTA members (Except for Martin Luther King Day which is a required day of service.)
"Make A Difference Day", "Martin Luther King Day" and "National Youth Service Day " are service project days the VISTA members are required to participate in.
Health Insurance
You become automatically enrolled your first day of service and coverage ends at midnight on the last day of your service. For detailed information please visit www.americorps.sevencorners.com or call 1-866-699-4186. Please note that preexisting conditions are not met by this plan.
Education AwardUpon completing your term of service, your will earn the $4,725 education award. There are some schools that will match your Education Award money. To browse through an updated list of participating schools visit http://www.lifetimeofservice.org/ You can use your education award to pay off current student loans BUT they must be a federal loan. Please check with your loan holders to see if you can use the education award on them. Most student loans are federal but it is better to ask questions first. Some consolidated loans are NOT covered (check with your lender). AmeriCorps will pay interest on your qualified school loans during your term of service ONLY if you fill out an Accrued Interest form at the beginning of your term (This is NOT automatic). You need to complete 1700 hours of service to receive your Education Award. You can use your Education Award at any educational institution accredited by the US Dept. of Education. A maximum of two Education Awards, for two terms of service can be received. Stipend
If you choose the stipend in lieu of the Education Award, it provides you a payment of $1,200 for twelve months of successful service. You must complete a full twelve months to receive the stipend. Partial stipends are not allowed excepted for RARE cases which are determined the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Loan Forbearance/Deferment
Members are eligible to put their loans into forbearance during their term of service. It is a good idea to contact all your loan lenders to make sure you can receive a forbearance for your term of service with AmeriCorps. During the beginning of your service you will fill out paperwork on each of your loans to put them into forbearance, but we HIGHLY recommend you contact all your loan lenders to let them know what you will be up to in the coming year. AmeriCorps will pay interest on your qualified school loans during your term of service ONLY if you fill out an Accrued Interest form at the beginning of your term (This is NOT automatic).
Mileage Reimbursement
VISTA members working with NDSU-RSVP offices will be reimbursed meals, accommodation and mileage incurred during authorized travel.
Food Stamps
AmeriCorps monthly living allowance is not counted as income when determining eligibility for food stamps. However there are certain circumstances which VISTA members may not be eligible. Please consult your local Social Service Department for details. Also please note that it is best to apply for Food Stamps before you start receiving your living allowance from AmeriCorps.
Subsidized Housing
The monthly living allowance of VISTA and AmeriCorps members is not counted as income when determining eligibility for subsidized housing. This means that many of our members qualify for subsidized housing.
Subsidized Housing approval is a long application process, which you can usually only start in person and you can expect a waiting list at most housing complexes. So please contact the agency closest to you as soon as possible by using the contact information found here.
Child CareAmeriCorps VISTA CARE is not automatic! All full time members must apply and qualify, including second-year members. Your eligibility is based upon your household gross monthly income. (This includes your spouse’s income and your monthly living allowance). AmeriCorps VISTA CARE pays up to the local market rate for childcare (state). You will need the following documentation when filling out the forms - Birth certificate for each child needing care (care is provided only to children under 13 years old), 4 most recent and consecutive pay stubs, or aid letters for all adults whose income should be counted in your household. You may choose a licensed care provider or an unlicensed care provider. If you choose an unlicensed caregiver you will need a copy of their social security card. It takes 3 to 4 weeks to process files. If you are required for AmeriCorps overnight activities, childcare is paid for 24 hours/day. For more information visit www.naccrra.net/americorpsvista Earned Income Credit
The EIC is an amount members may be able to subtract from their taxes if they meet certain income qualifications. Eligibility is determined by the IRS. You should find out from the IRS if you are eligible for EIC before you submit the W-5.
If you qualify, you can choose to get part of the credit in advance. To get an advance, you must have a child under the age of 18 who lives at home with you and you must meet income criteria. The W5 form is for advance payment only and filling one out does not affect your eligibility for EIC in any given tax year.
Life Insurance
AmeriCorps VISTA members may purchase life insurance. The cost of the insurance premium is deducted from a members’ biweekly allowance. If you choose not to purchase and then change your mind while in service, you will need a physical examination, which will be at your own expense. Members may cancel at any time. Life insurance ends 31 days after you have completed your term of service. Training & Professional Development
VISTAs will begin their service with a regional Pre Service Orientation (PSO). At the PSO members will be given a review of the history, mission and structure of AmeriCorps*VISTA. VISTAs will also examine other topics including their role with community and project development processes. VISTAs will also take part in a yearly Cross Streams Conference with all of the Senior Corps personnel in North and South Dakota. The attendance of other trainings and conferences will depend on the VISTAs site location and specialties.
Non-Competitive Eligibility in Federal Civil Service
Non-competitive hiring privileges
extend for a period of one year after completion of AmeriCorps*VISTA service,
except that the employing agency may extend the period for an additional two
years for a former member who enters military service, studies at a recognized
institution of higher learning, or engages in activities that, in the view of
the appointing authority, warrant an extension of the one-year limit.
Former AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not guaranteed a federal civil service job.
Civil service openings are limited; obtaining employment will depend on the
member’s ability to locate an agency with a vacancy and to interest that agency
in hiring the member. Information on available federal positions may be obtained
from Federal Job Information Centers across the country, which are listed in
metropolitan area phone directories under “U.S. Government.” To establish
non-competitive status, the member will need proof of eligibility for job
consideration under the special hiring procedures described. A verification
statement certifying that the AmeriCorps*VISTA member has completed at
least one year of satisfactory service can be obtained by writing to: AmeriCorps*VISTA
Certifying Officer
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Last modified: 07/05/06 |
