Q: What kind of AmeriCorps program is Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps?

A: AmeriCorps includes AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), and AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps, involving more than 900 national, state, and local nonprofit organizations engaged in results-driven community service.

The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps program has been funded via an AmeriCorps National Direct grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service ("The Corporation"). As a National Direct AmeriCorps program, the Corporation agrees to grant a certain sum of money to a national nonprofit organization or parent organization (in this case, Equal Justice Works), which will then administer the program at various host sites around the country.

Q: What are program participants called?

A: Generally, AmeriCorps program participants are called "members." Our members are called "Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Fellows" or "AmeriCorps Fellows" for short.

Q: Can I participate in this program if I've served as an AmeriCorps member before?

A: The Corporation for National and Community Service has imposed restrictions within the various programs regarding the number of terms an individual may serve. The following table outlines the limitations on the number of terms one may serve within the different AmeriCorps programs.

The Corporation for National and Community Service has determined that individuals may, nonetheless, serve up to three terms of service across the different types of AmeriCorps programs and may receive Corporation-funded member benefits as long as the caps on the number of terms of service within each program are maintained. In no event may an individual serve more than a total of three terms in any combination of AmeriCorps programs. A term of service includes full-time, part-time, and reduced part-time service, as well as an uncompleted term (e.g., if a member leaves a program part-way through the term).

Q: Am I prohibited from receiving another education award if I have received one already from my prior AmeriCorps service?

A: Under no circumstances will an individual be eligible to receive more than two education awards. These can be earned during the first two terms of national service. Even if a member does not complete his or her service requirement and does not receive an education award, that term of service counts as one of his or her first two terms.

Q: If I participate in this program, how long am I required to serve at the host organization?

A: AmeriCorps refers to the service commitment with its programs as a "term of service." As participants in a full-time AmeriCorps program, AmeriCorps Fellows are required to serve at least 1,700 hours during a period of eleven months. Since the grant year begins in August of each year, most AmeriCorps Fellows serve from August to June unless their contract states otherwise.

Q: Can I participate in the program for more than one year?

A: Yes. AmeriCorps Fellows are eligible to renew for an additional year of service at their host organization, provided their performance has been satisfactory and funding is available. The Corporation for National Service caps participation in AmeriCorps National Direct programs to a maximum of two years.

Q: Do members have to keep track of their hours during their AmeriCorps service?

A: Yes. The Corporation requires that all AmeriCorps members keep accurate time records. The records must distinguish between the time spent performing project work, called "service hours" (e.g., developing community education clinics/workshops for volunteers, managing and recruiting volunteers, conducting outreach to students, etc.) and time spent receiving training, called "training hours." Sample time logs are provided to members at the start of their service.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the type of activities in which an AmeriCorps Fellow can engage?

A: According to current AmeriCorps regulations and provisions AmeriCorps Fellows are prohibited from engaging in any activity that is illegal under local, state, or federal law; that poses a significant safety risk to others; or that adversely affects the Host Site or the program. In addition, AmeriCorps Fellows are not permitted to engage in activity that involves proselytizing or assisting religious organizations, attempting to influence legislation or an election, aiding a partisan political organization or for-profit business, or helping or hindering union activity.

Q: What must be done in order to successfully complete the program and obtain the education award?

A: In order to successfully exit the program, all AmeriCorps Fellows must submit to Equal Justice Works a signed exit form, a time log of all hours served during their term (reviewed and signed by the member's supervisor), and a brief final report within two weeks of completing service. Once Equal Justice Works receives the exit information, we notify the National Service Trust that the member has completed the program. Any delay in submitting exit information to Equal Justice Works may affect timely processing of the education award.

Q: What happens if a member is unable to complete the term of service or complete the 1700 hours in the time allotted?

A: AmeriCorps Fellows who leave AmeriCorps service for "compelling personal circumstances," and who have served at least 30% of their service hours are eligible for a pro-rated education award based on the amount of hours served.

Compelling personal circumstances include those that are beyond the AmeriCorps Fellow's control, such as:

1. A member's disability or serious illness;
2. Disability, serious illness or death in a member's family, if this makes completing a term unreasonably difficult or impossible;
3. Natural disaster, a strike, relocation of a spouse or the non-renewal or premature closing of a project or program; or
4. Military service obligations.

Compelling personal circumstances do not include leaving the program:

1. To enroll in school;
2. To obtain employment; or
3. Dissatisfaction with the program.

If an AmeriCorps Fellow resigns for a non-compelling reason (as listed above), the individual will receive no portion of the AmeriCorps education award.

Q: How long does it take to receive the education award voucher after a member completes service?

A: Generally, the National Service Trust will send the education award voucher to the AmeriCorps Fellow within 6-8 weeks of receiving notice from Equal Justice Works that the AmeriCorps Fellow has successfully completed the program.

Q: How can participants use the $4,725 education award?

A: AmeriCorps Fellows can use the education award in any of the following ways, or a combination of them:

• To repay qualified student loans;
• To pay toward current educational expenses at a qualified school; and/or
• To pay current educational expenses while participating in an approved school-to-work program.

Q: What is a "qualified student loan"?

A: The national service legislation defines "qualified student loan" as a loan backed by the federal government under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (except PLUS Loans to parents of students), or under Titles VII or VIII of the Public Health Service Act. In addition, you may use your education award to repay a student loan made by a state agency, including state institutions of higher education.

Education awards cannot be used to repay any other type of loan, even if the loan was obtained for educational purposes. You can use your education award to repay defaulted student loans, as long as the loans meet the definition of "qualified student loan." Some of the most common qualified student loans are:

• Stafford loans;
• Perkins loans;
• Federal direct loans;
• Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS); and
• Federal Consolidated Loans.

Q: What are "current educational expenses"?

A: "Current educational expenses," as authorized under [42 U.S.C. 12604(c)], include:

• The "cost of attendance" for a degree or certificate-granting program of study at a qualified school; and
• Education expenses for non-degree courses offered by qualified schools, such as continuing education courses.

Q: How can I determine if my law school is a qualified school?

A: Your school is qualified if it is a Title IV institution of higher education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1001). This includes most colleges and universities.

To determine if your school is an eligible institution, ask your financial aid administrator, visit the U.S. Department of Education's listing of Title IV schools at www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0203/fslookup.htm, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.

Q: How many years do members have to use the education award?

A: AmeriCorps Fellows have seven years to use the education award from the date they complete their service. Recipients can divide the award and use portions of it at different times, as long as it is for authorized expenditures within the specified time period.

Q: Can participants transfer the education award to another individual?

A: No. AmeriCorps Fellows cannot transfer the education award to any other individual. The Trust will only make payments to qualified schools and loan holders.

Q: What other financial benefits can I receive by participating in Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps?

A: You may arrange to postpone repayment of certain "qualified student loans" by placing the loans into forbearance while you are serving as an AmeriCorps Fellow. During this forbearance based on national service, interest continues to accrue. If you successfully complete your term of service and earn an education award, the National Service Trust, the entity which administers financial benefits for AmeriCorps members, will pay all or a portion of the interest that has accrued on your qualified student loans during this period. However, the accrued interest paid by the Trust, like the education award itself, is subject to income taxation.

Q: Are all loans (federal and private) eligible to be placed in forbearance during participation in the Pro Bono Legal Corps?

A: No. The national service legislation defines "qualified student loans" as a loan backed by the federal government under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Private loans are not covered by this benefit. If you have private loans that you are unable to pay during the term of your AmeriCorps service, you can still request forbearance from your lender based on national service and financial hardship, but there is no guarantee that individual lenders will agree to place them into forbearance.