Students who had planned on volunteering for the Americorps in return for an award to pay for their education might have to wait due to financial implications.
Americorps, a volunteer organization run by the Corporation for National & Community Service, awards vouchers of $4,725 for individuals who volunteer for its programs for one year (1700 hours). These vouchers are redeemed to academic institutions as tuition.
This past year has been a good year for Americorps, which is involved in 2,000 non–profit organizations around the country — yet perhaps, too good. The government corporation signed up more volunteers than its projected goal, forcing an unwanted freeze on applicants.
With 50,000 volunteers the target enrollment, Americorps and its constituents signed up 59,200 volunteers before the hold took effect, the largest turnout in history. The program became more successful when the record turnout responded to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and President Bush’s call to service.
The hold only affects people who haven’t yet signed up to volunteer and wish to receive the federal grants for tuition. These people cannot sign up to receive a tuition grant for this year at this time, however they do have alternatives if they want to help the community. Another grant issued for volunteers’ services is a cash award, for which their trust still has adequate funding.
The program gets it’s funding for grants from a trust allotted to them by Congress. This year’s trust has enough money for those who are currently enrolled in Americorps programs, but does not have enough for the numerous people who wish to volunteer. That includes anyone who went to sign up after the November hold took place.
Last year, the organization had a tracking method that proved itself inefficient in tracking how many volunteers signed up to receive education awards.
Sandy Scott, spokesman for Americorps, said the individual programs such as the American Red Cross and Civilian Corps recruit, select and supervise the volunteers that receive Americorps grants. This was where the problem ultimately lied last recruiting season.
In response, Americorps has put into place a more effective way of tracking applications, and tracking volunteers wishing to receive tuition grants.
Tom Devine, executive director of the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board, who works in conjunction with Americorps, reiterated the fact that the situation occurred through the application process.
“The enrollment freeze took place in November,” Devine said. “We caught it before a bad situation happened.”
The huge turnout has sent Americorps clambering to the halls of Congress, requesting additional funding to support the many more who want to volunteer. This might be decided as soon as February 7, the day a resolution for additional funding must be reached. If a new resolution is not reached, then volunteers wishing to work with Americorps will be forced to wait until the next fiscal year.
The fiscal year will begin in October, extending the freeze on enrollment opportunities.
Scott said Americorps is working very closely with Congress to get more funds added to the trust.
“We’re hopeful that Congress will get its business done and resolve this (issue),” Scott said. “We’re eagerly and anxiously awaiting their decision.”
Students wishing to enroll in next year’s programs will still have the opportunity to do so since the enrollment freeze only affects this year’s would–be volunteers. In addition, President Bush requested $554 million to be allocated for next year’s funds for Americorps, which will support 75,000 members.
Both Scott and Devine stressed the fact that this turnout has been wonderful, and that so many people are making, and continue to wish to make, a difference in their community for the better.
