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$10 Million in Educational Awards

Milwaukee - This summer, Public Allies graduated our 2,000^th Ally. Public Allies also passed a second milestone – our Allies have earned more than $10 million in AmeriCorps Educational Awards.

Full-time participants in AmeriCorps who complete 1,700 hours of service receive a post-service education award of $4,725 that can be used to pay for future education or past student loans. More than half of Public Allies attend undergraduate or graduate schools within one year of graduation, and among our 2007 graduates, for example, 89% have a plan for using their education award and 83% of Allies report that it was a very important incentive for their participation.

Last year, the education award was named the “Segal AmeriCorps Education Award” after Eli Segal, one of the pioneers of the national service movement and the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, who died of cancer in 1996.

Starting in 2000, The University of Delaware, where the Center for Community Service and Research operates our Delaware program, has matched the AmeriCorps education award, providing an even greater benefit for Public Allies graduates to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees. AmeriCorps is seeking to recruit additional colleges and universities to do the same.

Paul Schmitz, President & CEO of Public Allies, said: “The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award has made a great difference for our Allies, especially the 50% who do not have college degrees when they participate in our program. $10 million buys a lot of credits and has helped our alumni climb further on their career ladders working for community and social change.”

Schmitz added: “The education award has not increased since 1994, while the costs of education have skyrocketed. We hope that Congress will someday increase the award to provide greater opportunity for our young people.”