I start my service on Monday and am prescribed Wegovy via my insurer. Copays next year are going up to $771 from $60. So, I’m wondering whether anyone has had success at getting IMG and the VISTA Healthcare Allowance to cover the copays for these expensive weightloss drugs?

Hi all! Any help you all can provide is very appreciated.

I am interested in getting involved with AmeriCorps, specifically with Emergency Response, but I’m not sure where to start.

For context, I work full time as a healthcare emergency management specialist and I have my MPH in biosecurity and disaster preparedness. I do not wish to leave my job or step back from it in any way, I would just like to expand myself experience and use my experience to branch out and help where I may be needed.

1. Is there a place for me with AmeriCorps?
2. Would it be feasible to work with AmeriCorps without stepping back from my job?
3. Any other input and/or advice welcome!

I want to work outdoors. I love the idea of trail restoration. But the truth is, I failed chemistry, I suck at math, I couldn't afford college so I just get jobs off CoolWorks... what can I do to make myself appealing to AmeriCorps? I want to apply for Forest Core and I really hope it can train me for better opportunities. I don't have any job training outside the kitchen or as a housekeeper and I just feel useless. Some of these positions seem like they require a lot of knowledge about wildlife and biology that I just don't have. Forest Core 2025 starts in June, so I've even been thinking about applying to other positions because I would also like being trained on administrative work... I don't know what I'm really asking except, do you think I have a shot? I really hope AmeriCorps can improve my life and train me how to improve others. And there's just so many opportunities that I don't really know where to begin

I'm a current FEMACorps member looking to join Forest corps next year, and I wanted to get some info on how the test is administered. I'm already begun conditioning to prepare but I would like to try to training in a way that will best cater to the test.

Hello! I’m planning on participating in the NHC in the community health fellowship. I’m trying to plan for next year and wanted to know what it’s like and how much the monthly stipend will be to figure out housing. Thank you so much and feel free to dm me if you can answer either question.

Hey, I'm a first time AmeriCorps member and Christmas is coming up so I wanted to ask for some stuff that I could use while I'm deployed. I've joined the FEMA Corps and I'm going to be away from February to November. Is there anything I can't bring with me besides like game consoles? I wanted to bring a small camera to document my deployment. Please let me know what you guys think

Hi all, I am on the job hunt and trying to craft my resume. With my past work experience and recent americorps experience, I got a lot of project management under my belt. I feel that I can be a pretty strong applicant (who knows with this market though), but I am worried that affiliating the job responsibilities I’ve had under “Americorps” may diminish my qualifications and make the experience seem like an internship with a lot of hand holding. Coupled with the notoriously low pay, I am worried that I’d have a harder time negotiating a salary if employers understand how little I make.

I know with certain employers it can be beneficial, but in other cases, would I be better off omitting “Americorps”? I’d framing my experience as a temporary capacity building role similar to a consultant, unless people find that including the word “americorps” has gotten them a positive response in the job search. Please share your thoughts

Edit: chopped up paragraph long sentences

Hi everyone,

I am half year into my first americorps state national program and wanted to gain specific insight into pathways after graduating since I’m going to be at an inflection point in my career when it’s done. For National and State Alumni, it says that we have partnerships with 600 organizations. I’m aware that VISTA and NCCC have clear benefits some of which are clearly outlined on most employer websites. But what of State and National?

First hand accounts have told me that there is more job consideration for Americorps members in general for those listed 600 employers, but there is no clear distinguishing of how partnership employers view state and national members as much they do VISTA and NCCC. Can some please enlighten me, I just want to make an informed decision and manage my expectations before applying to things!

Please note I am new and my program has not been helpful in really explaining this to our cohorts. Thank you everyone in advance and hope you’re having a great time in your programs !!

Hello! I requested for my education award to be applied to my current institution balance on November 15th. As of earlier this week, the status is showing as “dispersed” on the Americorps website but my funds haven’t been applied to my school financial portal yet. Does anyone know how long it takes for the funding to reach my institution from when it has been dispersed from Americorps? I can’t help but think my school is choosing not to apply the funds currently and I have a balance that needs to be paid off before I graduate in a few weeks. Should I contact Americorps or my institution? Thank you!

From what I understand he travels around every month or so to new places and helps out with parks and whatnot. He is currently in Florida helping with flooding cleanup. I already got him a Cabela's gift card, but I was wondering if there was an actual item i could get him that would help him that was practical for his work. What would you want somebody to give you for X-mas to help out your jobs?

I was wondering if americorps contacts your previous jobs/places you volunteered that are listed on your application? If they do, are they asking anything? I volunteered unofficially for years at a church I was going to, and I was wondering if theyre going to have to confirm it with the church. I never filled out anything official to volunteer so I dont know if I should add it.

Should I accept a well-paying job, if offered? What is that considered if I leave and is it 'wrong' when I have things to do that the living stipend isn't enough for? I am sorely in need of a car and the cost of transportation to my site is exorbitant, so I'm keeping less and not getting to "save" much. I am happy to be serving, but I was actually looking for employment when I chose to apply to AmeriCorps.

Hi there! I wanted to make friendship bracelets with FEMA Corp name and induction class to give out in February at the Vicksburg class but wasn’t sure if we knew what the next class would be called. In August there was class 30B and 30C and therefore I thought it would be logical that the February 2025 class would 31A but there also might be something I’m missing.

Thanks!

$500 every two weeks (pre-tax) is great if housing is free. But after the third interview, new information implies that housing costs are deducted from pay checks.

So if I'm getting $1,000 per month (maybe around 900 after tax) i.e. < $12,000 per year. Deducting room and board from that cost would make the pay $80 per month. That's not even enough money to buy food and toiletries.

In that situation, requiring 'members' to live in provided housing is a scam. That means they are just paying themselves with government money.

And I really like this organisation so, I'm really hoping that was a misunderstanding.

Update: Just got an answer. Housing cost is taken out before pay. It's a full $500. Ergo, Not a scam.

Hello, I’m looking into taking a gap year and considering doing a americorps program for experiences and an education award. As someone who receives the max Pell grant amount is there a link between the two? Could my Pell grant be impacted at all or am I supposed to look at this education award as a scholarship kind of???

Hey all I've been thinking about the upcoming administration and their talks of defunding DOE. Google has not been helpful in finding the answer so I figured I'd try here. Does anybody know if we lose our Segal Grants/Education Awards if the DOE gets defunded?

I applied and was accepted for the winter 25 term for FemaCorps back in August. The last email I received was back in mid September. My medical was fully completed and my background check paperwork had been received and was being processed, however I have yet to hear anything since. My last email did say there would be a lengthy waiting period before onboarding starts but I was hoping to hear from others who have completed previous terms, or are planning to attend the same term as me if you have heard anything or when you started the onboarding process. I tend to get a little paranoid when I’m in the dark too long so I’m just looking for a bit of clarification. Thanks :)

So I recently started working in the Math Corps as a tutor in Fulton County, Georgia on October 21st, and my service ends in mid June. The problem is that I do not know if I will have enough service hours by then, because of how the site I work at does not have a summer school program. Would anyone be able to do the math to see if I will have enough service hours by then?

Hi all, I’ve recently been accepted into ACE, more specifically their EPIC program and was wondering if anyone had any experience with their drug testing policy and could let me know what to expect. All I’ve seen is that they may require a pre-employment drug screen and that they reserve the right to test you if you give them a reason (showing up to work intoxicated, on-site injuries, etc.) if anyone has any info that would be very helpful! I’m very excited for this opportunity and would hate to do anything to jeopardize it.

My daughter (18F) is planning to apply for the Forest Corp, starting after HS graduation next summer. I’m concerned about the pack test though. Shes going to train for it, but she’s pretty tiny so I’m worried about her passing. The FAQs say that if she doesn’t pass the pack test, they will reassign her to a traditional program.

My question is this: Does traditional Americorps give you the opportunity to choose what types of assignments you get put on? For instance, could you request to be put on Forest-related or other outdoor/nature related projects?

Hello, I am inquiring to know if anybody has done JVC/JVC Northwest. I am in the processing of applying and will hopefully get offered a placement next year!

Does anyone know of any initiatives that are and are not like city year? I don’t want to work with teens or kids at all but I don’t know what else is offered that will be just as beneficial I guess. Is it based on where I am or where I’m willing to go as well? Because I don’t know where I’d be willing to go if I don’t serve where I am. Please lay it out for me if you can or help me find out how I can figure it out on my own. Thanks

Hello! This is all hypothetical but I'm seriously considering AmeriCorps and this might influence my decision. I'm guessing it's a long shot but figured I would ask here.

I'm aiming to go to grad school abroad (Ireland) and want to know if it would be at all possible to use an AmeriCorps education award to pay for part of the tuition abroad. Has anyone tried to do this before?

Since it's a federal award, I'm guessing it's a hard no, but is there any way around it?

Thanks!

I earned a Segal award and now hoping to use it to pay for my college applications. I feel like it's definitely an educational expense but just logistically not sure if sending money to schools I am not actually enrolled at would work, worried the money would get lost in the bureaucracy. Anyone have advice or experience on this?

Hi,

I am looking for advice on a missed AmeriCorps opportunity and what went wrong.

I accepted an amazing 10-month AmeriCorps opportunity a few weeks ago. I was excited, but the thing that stressed me out was finding housing.

The host site is in a small mountain town where there is nothing for rent. It was not even about having enough money to pay rent...just being able to find a living situation in general. I don't want to live out of my car.

My host site was not communicating with me which made me anxious. I was hoping they would at least give me some leads. So I contacted my AmeriCorps director to see what my options were.

She gave me contact info for the previous person who filled the position. After talking with her, she basically told me you have to get lucky. Basically, people move there first and then hope something pops up like a retired person letting you stay in a room in their house. It did not give me a lot of confidence.

She also gave me some facebook groups for the small town to post in hoping somebody would answer. I posted in the groups looking for a room, but I was getting anxious as the start date was quickly approaching.

I debated whether I should just stay at my current job where they provide free housing and I feel comfortable at. After finding nothing, I emailed AmeriCorps that I can no longer commit to the position due to not finding housing.

Later that day. I emailed them back saying that I have more clarity of mind and am determined to find something. They told me that I was now a flight-risk and that I would have to email a formal explanation for my hesitation and dedication to commit.

So I did. Come Monday, the host site already re-interviewed somebody and filled the position. They are not good with email communication, so there was miscommunication all around.

The AmeriCorps director was deeply apologetic and was wondering what they could have done differently.

The worst part? Somebody responded to my Facebook post offering me a room to rent. It was an amazing situation...if only I was a bit more patient. Everything lined up and my anxiety was for nothing.

I just felt so rushed as this program from offer to start date was way too quick. I know that I should have been more patient, but is it not reasonable to have a housing situation lined up before moving somewhere?

Is it reasonable for AmeriCorps to communicate to me beforehand what my best options were and help me find some leads? At least a place to stay a few months until i find something permanent?? I had to reach out to them when I found out I was basically on my own to figure it out.

I feel terrible and deeply regretful. I keep on ruminating over what I could have been differently. More diligent, more patient, less anxious?

This was perfect timing for me to depart my current job, and this AmeriCorps position was directly relevant to what I am doing and would offer amazing growth opportunities.

Maybe the position will open up again next year. But I am not sure if I will be able to commit next year. If there was a time to do this...this was it.

I know there are other AmeriCorps positions out there, but this one had sentimental value to me for reasons I can't explain. It was a deeply personal mission that now makes me feel like a failure.

Does anybody have any thoughts?

Am I just an anxious fool who learned a painful lesson about patience and commitment, or could they also have done better?

Howdy folks! I've got a couple questions about AmeriCorps drug testing. I'm not sure whether I'll pass my upcoming drug test as I'm a pretty heavy thc user. I naively didn't realize upon applying that this was a federal position... My own mistake. By the time I take the test I'll be at 27 days, so we'll see how it goes. BUT, thinking ahead here, does anyone know the policy for reapplication? I recently attended new member orientation and have fallen in love with this service program, and want to do better and plan far ahead next time should this test not go in my favor. Am I able to reapply for something in AmeriCorps or even the same position should it become available after a certain amount of time passes? Or am I barred from working for AmeriCorps? I'm also wondering how to approach a conversation about whether I'll be paid for having attended orientation if I fail the test? I don't want to come across as scummy given the potential future circumstances. Should I just let it go, or should I bring it up? Thank you! If it helps with context, this is for Michigan state.

Update - I PASSED, LET'S GOOO 🎉🎉🎉

I graduated Sac State earlier this year and completed my first AmeriCorps term in September. In the birth and beyond exit zoom we were told we could use the award to pay a variety of educational expenses. All we had to do was request it from the Americ Corps website. Two weeks ago I sent an educational expenses request to Sac State so I could pay for my grad school applications for Sac states MSW program. I called Sac State today and they told me because I am no longer a student they cannot fulfill my request for the money request I had sent to them. The only other way to use the segal award is by loan payment, but I already paid off all my loans. I am so upset right now. I specifically asked in the exit zoom a few months ago, stating that in the future when I’m an alumni, could I still pull the money and they told me yes. I’m livid that I have six grand waiting for me and all I can do is look at it.

On top of that now, I have to find money to pay for all these grad school applications myself 😤

Hello, I have a # of questions and want feedback from people who have done this program:

STIPEND: Were you able to survive on the monthly stipend, or did you need to supplement with savings, money from family or a second job? HOUSING: Honest feedback about this. Bathrooms, shared rooms, etc, and whether you were living at poverty line. TEAM DYNAMICS: Please share good and bad.

Is this a kind of commitment that someone who has tendency towards anxiety, getting overwhelmed can deal with? A person who needs some privacy on occasion?

WORK: Did you feel the work was meaningful and added to your skill set for future jobs, or not? Mostly office, or did you do disaster work on site? What kind of projects did you do? POLITICS: Any issues with the team managers, the bureaucracy of the program?

WHERE DID YOU GET DEPLOYED?

Lastly, JOB POSSIBILITIES AT END OF PROGRAM: Did this experience land you a job with FEMA or related government agency?

Would you recommend this program to a new college graduate who wants to work for the government, in theory, FEMA? Are there other shorter programs you'd recommend, or other ways to get into government work without this 11 month commitment?

Hi, I’ve accepted an offer with americorps vista as a data analyst. I’m just curious if doing this will help setup my career in the tech industry. Can anyone give me advice?

To keep it simple: I was planning on taking some classes and applied a decent chunk of my ed award to my tuition. I ended up dropping these classes due to a lack of time before any payment deadlines. I reached out to the university to ask if I’d get a refund and if so where it would be delivered. They said i would get the payment refunded and the money would be credited back to my Americorps account. It’s been a few months and i still haven’t gotten the refund credited to my account.

Has anyone else run in to this? How long it take to get the money back and was there anyone you had to contact?