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Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I apply?
Each institution and community partner
select their own members based on a variety of criteria.
We strongly encourage every Bonner school to offer their Bonner Scholars and Bonner Leaders the opportunity to participate in the Bonner AmeriCorps Program. For contact information for each of those sites, please
contact the NJ BLP Program Director.
What types of New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps slots are available?
The Living
Allowance for members participating in the NJ BLP changes
year to year.
| STATUS |
LIVING
ALLOWANCE |
HEALTH
CARE |
CHILD
CARE |
EDUCATION
AWARD* |
| Full-Time
(1700 hours) |
$12,500 |
Yes,
if qualified |
Yes,
if qualified |
$4,725.00 |
| Part-Time
(900 hours) |
$5,771 |
No |
No |
$2,362.50 |
| Reduced
Part-Time (300 hours) |
$1,900 |
No |
No |
$1,000.00 |
Notes:
*Only Workers
Compensation and FICA will be deducted from the Living Allowance.
*These amounts are subject to change year to year, in accordance with the Corporation for National and Community Service's regulations.
*The Education
Award is only received after member successfully completes
the program.
How many
terms of AmeiCorps can an individual serve?
Individuals may participate in a total of three AmeriCorps terms (including VISTA). However, they may only receive education awards for their first two terms.
What are the restrictions on who is eligible?
People who are willing to participate as peers in your service-leadership program and have some experience in community outreach. Program members must be at least 17 years old (a parent signature is required for someone who is 17) and either be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
What documents are needed for the member's AmeriCorps file?
- Copy of Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate, valid passport, permanent resident card)
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Copy High School Diploma/GED equivalent or College Transcripts
- Copy of Driver's License
- Resume
- Class Schedule
- AmeriCorps Application
- References (2)
- Criminal Background Check Consent Form
- Parental Consent Form (if member is under the age of 18)
- Member Enrollment Form
- Member Contract
- W-4 Form
- Emergency Notification Form
- Career Plan/Goal Statement
- Community Learning Agreement
- Midpoint Evaluation
- Endpoint Evaluation
- Exit Form
Can an AmeriCorps member engage in
political or religious activities in his or her official capacity
as an AmeriCorps member?
There are certain activities including lobbying, political, religious or advocacy activities that AmeriCorps Members and staff may NOT perform in the course of their duties while charging time to the AmeriCorps program, or at the request of program staff. Furthermore, members and staff may not engage in any conduct in a manner that would associate the National Service Program or the Corporation with the prohibited activities. Programs must become familiar with the specific prohibitions in the Corporation's formal regulations (45 C.F.R. B2520.30) and the grant provisions. The
list of prohibited activities is itemized here.
However, AmeriCorps members, like private citizens, may participate in lobbying, political, or advocacy activities on their own time, at their own expense, and at their own initiative. Members may not wear AmeriCorps service gear in such instances.
NOTE: If you are having any difficulty drawing hard and fast lines between what does and does not count towards a member's AmeriCorps term of service or the Bonner Program in general, please contact us BEFORE a student or member engages in a questionable activity.
However, AmeriCorps members, like private
citizens, may participate in lobbying, political, or advocacy
activities on their own time, at their own expense, and
at their own initiative. Members may not wear AmeriCorps
service gear in such instances.
Why can't a member address a
foreign service need?
The AmeriCorps Program was created to address the domestic non-military service needs of our country. The Peace Corps was created to address non-military service needs overseas. AmeriCorps had to limit its scope to the domestic needs of our country as well as U.S. territories. Although in the overall Bonner Program we encourage travel and service abroad, those hours CANNOT be counted towards the member's AmeriCorps term.
The Federal government strictly enforces these rules. In the case of the AmeriCorps Program, hours submitted for prohibited activities will be disqualified. Moreover, the sponsoring agency (in this instance, the Bonner Foundation and your college) risk their eligibility to remain in the AmeriCorps Program. If the prohibited activities are found during an audit, the sponsoring agency is likely to be required to repay any Federal program grants or educational awards that were associated with those prohibited activities.
How does the student receive their Ed Award?
Once the member has completed all of their hours and verified this in BWBRS, they need to submit all outstanding time logs, CLAs and service accomplishments and a signed exit form to the Foundation for processing. Once the Foundation has verified and processed all of the outstanding paperwork, the student will be exited. Once the member has been exited successfully from the program, they can register with www.myamericorps.gov where they will be able to access their Ed Award online. The online system will allow members and alumni to request their Ed Award benefits, including interest accrual and forbearance online. This new automated process is easy to use and eliminates the need to fill out and submit paper forms. Members are also able to update their contact information, view their account information and the status of their requests and contact the trust through the system.
Must the Ed Award be used all at once?
No. It is completely up to the member as to how the Ed Award is used. The online system allows the member to allocate all or a portion of their award electronically to a qualified financial or academic institution where the member has an outstanding loan or balance to repay. The Ed Award benefit will be available online for 7 years so that the member can have the opportunity to pay for future educational expenses. The Ed Award is taxable in the year it was used.
For more information visit:
What are the restrictions on who is eligible?
People who are willing to participate as peers in your service-leadership program and have some experience in community outreach. Program members must be at least 17 years old (a parent signature is required for someone who is 17) and either be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
What documents are needed for the member's AmeriCorps file?
- Copy of Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate, valid passport, permanent resident card)
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Copy High School Diploma/GED equivalent or College Transcripts
- Copy of Driver's License
- Resume
- Class Schedule
- AmeriCorps Application
- References (2)
- Criminal Background Check Consent Form
- Parental Consent Form (if member is under the age of 18)
- Member Enrollment Form
- Member Contract
- W-4 Form
- Emergency Notification Form
- Career Plan/Goal Statement
- Community Learning Agreement
- Midpoint Evaluation
- Endpoint Evaluation
- Exit Form
What procedures must occur if a member does not finish their term of service?
Regardless of the reason for exiting their term, a member MUST turn in a properly signed AmeriCorps Exit Form to be considered legally and properly exited from the program. If a member cannot complete their term due to "Personal & Compelling Circumstances" (See Member Contract for definition) a letter with an explanation must be included with the exit form describing why they must leave the program early. They will then be considered in receiving a prorated education award. If a member is simply unable to complete their term due to lack of interest or because they obtain a job, a member will be exited without an award.
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