Join AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps: Be the Greater Good

Find Your AmeriCorps Position

• My AmeriCorps Portal

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Step 1: Ensure that you’re eligible.

An AmeriCorps member must:

• be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or under special cirucumstances be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service.
• have a high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain prior to using the education award; or under special circumstances obtain a waiver.
• be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.
• satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria.

If selected, AmeriCorps members must provide proof of age and citizenship, including government issued photo identification. AmeriCorps positions are contingent on satisfactory results of such criminal history checks.

Step 2: Locate and contact a program of interest.

To join AmeriCorps, apply directly to the program(s) of interest to you. AmeriCorps members serve in full-time, half-time, and reduced part-time capacity. The type of positions available will vary from program to program. You can view current programs by county on the Find an AmeriCorps program page or you can visit AmeriCorps the agency site's fit finder to get information about other AmeriCorps programs throughout the country.

Each program has its own selection process. After identifying programs of interest to you, you should contact the program to determine its selection process and obtain a copy of the member position description which will include minimum and desirable qualifications. The selection process typically includes an application (either on-line or paper) and an interview.

Step 3: Apply for an AmeriCorps program

Check out this video for how to apply:

Step 4: Questions? Need more information?

Staff at Serve Washington is available if you have questions or need additional assistance. You can contact us at 360-902-0656.

See what Carolyn Benard, AmeriCorps Alums - Community Youth Services, says about serving in AmeriCorps (Facebook video).

What types of service do AmeriCorps members perform?

The service activities of AmeriCorps members will depend on the program. However, here is a sampling of typical member service activities:

• Tutoring children in reading;
• Clearing park trails;
• Rehabilitating low-income housing;
• Planting trees;
• Mentoring at-risk youth;
• Restoring salmon habitats;
• Providing services to home bound seniors;
• Reducing gang involvement in schools and neighborhoods;
• Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL);
• Provide emergency assistance and training for disasters.

Why should I serve in AmeriCorps?

There are as many reasons to serve as there are people who serve. Volunteering is not just an altruistic act. It's an opportunity to advance in all areas of your life. Here are a few of the things you can gain when you give your time and yourself:

• Connect with your community;
• Conserve funds for charities, nonprofits and faith-based and other community organizations by contributing your time;
• Share your skills and gain new ones;
• Develop self-esteem and self-confidence;
• Meet new people from all walks of life;
• Enhance your résumé and make important networking contacts;
• Promote a worthwhile activity;
• Feel needed and valued;
• Experience something new;
• Serve your country.

What are the benefits?

Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The intangible benefits alone—such as pride, satisfaction and accomplishment—are worthwhile reasons to serve. But there are other benefits as well.

During their term of service, full-time members receive a modest living allowance, also known as stipend. For the 2022-23 program year, the minimum living allowance for full-time members is $16,502. Depending on the program, part-time members may receive a living allowance.

In addition to the living allowance, all members who complete a term of service receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (valued at $6,495 for full-time members in 2022-23). The amount of a full-time Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is equivalent to the maximum value of the Pell Grant for the fiscal year in which the term of national service is approved. The amount of the Pell Grant can change each year. Therefore, the amount of a full-time award can change. Once an individual earns an award, the dollar amount of that award will not change. The education award can be used to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Further, members with qualifying student loans are eligible for student loan deferment during their term of service.

Childcare and healthcare benefits are available to full-time AmeriCorps members who qualify.