[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46628-46631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22449]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Availability of Education Awards under the AmeriCorps Education
Awards Program
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice of availability of education awards.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National Service (The Corporation) seeks
to expand opportunities for individuals to serve as AmeriCorps Members
and earn educational benefits, broaden the network of national service
programs and strategies, and increase the number of communities joining
with AmeriCorps to better meet their education, public safety,
environmental, and other human needs.
Accordingly, the Corporation announces the availability of up to
5,000 education awards from the National Service Trust (the Trust)
through a simplified application process for community service programs
that (1) Can support most or all of the AmeriCorps Member and program
costs from sources other than the Corporation; (2) meet certain
AmeriCorps program requirements; and (3) are judged to be high quality
according to Corporation criteria, as highlighted below and set forth
in the application materials. The education awards being made available
may be earned by AmeriCorps Members successfully completing Full-time
or Part-time terms in a community service program approved through this
application process.
While programs supported under this Notice should be similar to
other AmeriCorps*State and *National programs to maintain the integrity
of the AmeriCorps national service network, the Corporation is
modifying certain AmeriCorps requirements and permitting programs
greater management and operating flexibility. In addition, the
Corporation will consider requests for up to $1,000 per full-time
Member (pro-rated for a part-time Member) to manage these programs.
Potential program sponsors eligible to apply under this Notice
include national nonprofit organizations, multi-state collaborations,
state commissions for national and community service, institutions for
higher education, and state education agencies. Other applicants may
apply through state commissions, provided they meet criteria
established by the state commission.
DATES: Applications may be obtained on or after September 4, 1996. For
applications received by October 31, 1996, we anticipate making
decisions by November 30, 1996. For applications received by February
28, 1997, we anticipate making decisions by March 31, 1997. For
applications received by June 30, 1997, we anticipate making decisions
by July 31, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Application materials may be obtained from, and must be
submitted to, the following address: AmeriCorps Education Awards
Program, Corporation for National Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20525. They may also be requested by telephone, at 202/
606-5000, ext. 260, or (TDD) 202/565-2700. This notice may be requested
in an alternative format for the visually impaired.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information about this program,
contact the Corporation for National Service, Hank Oltmann at 202/606-
5000, ext. 417, or (TDD) 202/565-2700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Corporation is a federal government corporation that engages
Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service. This
service addresses the nation's education, public safety, environmental,
or other human needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In
doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the
ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational
opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service.
Pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as
[[Page 46629]]
amended, 42 U.S.C. 12501, et seq. (the Act), the Corporation may
``support innovative and model programs.'' 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12653(b). In
addition, an individual can receive an education award from the
National Service Trust if, among other things, the individual
``successfully completes the required term of service . . . in an
approved national service position.'' 42 U.S.C. 12602. The Act defines
an approved national service position to include six specific service
positions and ``such other national service positions as the
Corporation considers to be appropriate.'' 42 U.S.C. 12573.
Although AmeriCorps Education Award programs should be similar to
existing AmeriCorps programs to maintain the integrity of the
AmeriCorps national service network, the Corporation recognizes that
some modifications to program and administrative requirements are
appropriate. Program, grant, and administrative requirements are set
forth in the application guidelines.
Program Eligibility and Design
The Corporation will accept applications from eligible applicants
proposing to sponsor a national service program that addresses the
unmet education, public safety, environmental, and other human needs in
the community served, and provides a direct and demonstrable benefit
that is valued by the community. The Corporation is looking for high-
quality programs that (1) ``get things done'' to meet local needs, (2)
strengthen communities, and (3) develop Members. Programs must
establish specific objectives for the program, which are subject to the
Corporation's approval.
For this initiative, the Corporation seeks programs that will
support most or all program and participant costs (other than education
awards) through sources other than the Corporation. The Corporation
will consider requests for up to $1,000 per new full-time Member (pro-
rated for a part-time Member) to manage the program. A request for
funds in addition to the education awards should reflect the minimum
support necessary to manage the program; should, in the case of
existing service programs, reflect only the management costs related to
adding new Members; may affect approval of the proposal due to lack of
available funding; and will be the subject of negotiation between the
applicant and the Corporation.
By ``getting things done,'' programs will help their communities
meet education, public safety, environmental, or other human needs
through direct and demonstrable service. Programs must be large enough
to achieve a demonstrable impact on the community served. Accordingly,
the Corporation expects programs to enroll a sufficient number of
either full-time or part-time Members, regardless of whether they are
placed individually or in teams, to produce a demonstrable impact. If
the program uses part-time Members, the program must demonstrate that
the service provided by individual Members will be sustained and
ongoing, not merely episodic.
To strengthen communities, programs should engage a full range of
local partners to build a self-sustaining commitment to service.
Service projects should be designed, implemented, and evaluated with
appropriate local input and consultation with representatives of the
community served, including community-based agencies, foundations,
businesses, local labor organizations representing employees of service
sponsors, and local government.
To develop Members, programs should provide appropriate training,
education, supervision, and support, and emphasize the ethic and skills
needed for productive, active citizenship.
Programs must keep time and attendance records on all AmeriCorps
Members to document their eligibility for the education award. Programs
will be required to cooperate with the Corporation and its evaluators
in all its monitoring and evaluation efforts. Semi-annual program
progress reports will be required. Member enrollment, end-of-term, and
other National Service Trust forms must be submitted in compliance with
existing requirements.
Program Models
The Corporation intends to support a variety of models under this
initiative. The following is a list of models for both part-time
(including summer) and full-time programs the Corporation intends to
support. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional models.
(1) School-based and community-based service programs, including
youth corps. Potential projects include tutoring and mentoring younger
children and leading them in service projects after school, on
weekends, and during summer.
(2) College-based programs in which student AmeriCorps Members
eligible for education awards act as part-time service-learning
coordinators in local schools, or perform other service.
(3) Programs run by colleges in which institutions agree to provide
(a) future scholarships to middle and secondary level students if they
qualify for admission, and (b) provide younger students with college
student mentors, who are part-time AmeriCorps Members.
(4) Summer programs in which AmeriCorps Members organize service
and other activities for children and youth.
(5) Joint initiatives between community organizations and private
sector organizations in which full-time employees perform service in
the community on their own time as AmeriCorps Members and receive a
part-time education award.
(6) Before and after-school child care programs led by AmeriCorps
Members funded by local communities.
(7) Full-time service programs run by religious organizations,
youth corps, or other entities where expansion will be achieved by
offering additional education awards.
(8) Fellowship programs in which individuals such as recent college
or professional school graduates serve in public interest positions in
their field of service for a year before seeking more permanent
employment.
(9) Programs initiated by mayors and other local officials to
integrate locally funded AmeriCorps Members into community-wide
strategies to solve local problems; for example, a city or town with a
shortage of supervised activities for middle-school students during
summer months might design and fund a program for AmeriCorps Members to
lead teams of youth in service activities.
Matching Funds Requirements
There is no matching funds requirement under the AmeriCorps
Education Award Program.
Member Recruitment and Development
Programs must enroll Members to complete full-time (at least 1700
hours in a nine to twelve month period) or part-time (at least 900
hours over not more than two years or approved reduced part-time) terms
of service.
Programs must select their Members in a non-partisan, non-
political, and non-discriminatory manner. Members must be U.S.
citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens. Members
must be at least 17 years old, except that out-of-school 16 year olds
may participate in youth corps programs and programs for disadvantaged
youth that address the need for housing and other community facilities
in low-income areas.
Programs are encouraged to recruit Members who possess leadership
potential and a commitment to the goals of national service, regardless
of the
[[Page 46630]]
Member's educational level, work experience, or economic background. In
recruiting and placing their Members, programs must not displace any
employee or position, or otherwise violate the non-displacement
provisions of the Corporation's regulations, which are published at 45
CFR Sec. 2540.100(f).
In addition, programs should strive to build strong communities by
engaging diverse Members, community volunteers and staff in service
activities and by encouraging mutual understanding and cooperation.
Programs should actively seek to include Members and staff from the
communities in which projects are conducted, as well as individuals of
different races and ethnicities, ages, education levels, socioeconomic
backgrounds, both men and women, and individuals with physical and
cognitive disabilities.
Programs must provide Members with the training, skills, and
knowledge necessary to perform the tasks required in their respective
projects. In addition, programs are encouraged to help participants who
have not completed their secondary education to earn the equivalent of
a high school diploma.
Member Benefits
The Corporation will not set a minimum living allowance for full-
time Members (which, for current AmeriCorps programs, is $7,945 per
year) under the AmeriCorps Education Award Program. The maximum living
allowance for full-time AmeriCorps Members under this program is
$10,000 per year. Any living allowance for a part-time Member may not
exceed a prorated share of a maximum of $10,000 per year on a full-time
basis. This maximum may be waived by the Corporation, upon request, for
certain professional corps and similar programs.
Health care and child care are not required under the AmeriCorps
Education Award Program, but may be offered by the local program which
is responsible for all Member benefits.
Programs must provide reasonable accommodation, including auxiliary
aids and services, based on the individualized need of a Member who is
a qualified individual with a disability. Programs must also establish
and maintain a procedure for receiving and resolving grievances from
participants and other interested individuals concerning the program.
Eligibility for the Education Award
Members who successfully complete full-time or part-time terms of
service are eligible for education awards for each of up to two terms
of service. Full-time Members must serve at least 1700 hours during a
period of not less than nine months and not more than a year. Part-time
Members must generally serve at least 900 hours during a period of not
more than two years. Members may also serve in approved reduced part-
time programs (such as summer programs or other programs requiring less
than 900 hours), with education awards prorated to the number of hours
served.
Under the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program, the Corporation will
not accept proposals for part-time service of more than two years.
Full-time education awards are $4,725 and part-time education awards
are $2,362.50.
Use of Education Award
The education award may be used only for specific educational
purposes: (1) To repay a Member's qualified loans; or (2) towards the
cost of a Member's attendance at a qualified institution of higher
education or approved School-to-Work program. The education award is
not transferable to anyone other than the Member. The award must be
paid directly to the loan holder or the educational institution.
Regulations governing AmeriCorps education awards are published at 45
CFR Sec. 2525-2529.
Prohibited Service
Prohibited activities may not be performed by Members in the course
of their duties, at the request of program staff, or in a manner that
would associate the activities with the national service program or the
Corporation. However, Members are free to engage in such activities on
their own initiative, on their own time, and at their own expense.
These activities include:
(1) any effort to influence legislation, as defined under Sec.
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501);
(2) organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or
strikes;
(3) assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
(4) impairing existing contracts for services or collective
bargaining agreements;
(5) engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities
designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
(6) participating in, or endorsing, events or activities which are
likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political
platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected
officials;
(7) engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services,
providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory
religious education or worship, constructing or operating facilities
primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or
engaging in any form of religious proselytization; and providing a
direct benefit to (a) A business organized for profit, (b) a labor
union, (c) a partisan political organization, (d) a nonprofit
organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in
Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (e) an
organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph
(6) above, unless Corporation assistance is not used to support those
religious activities.
Eligible Applicants
State Commissions, national non-profit organizations proposing to
operate in more than one state, multi-state collaborations,
institutions of higher education, and state education agencies may
apply directly to the Corporation.
Local non-profit organizations, State and local units of government
(other than state education agencies), other state-wide programs, and
programs operating only within the state must apply through respective
State Commissions on National and Community Service. Interested
applicants should first contact their respective Commissions.
Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization
described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26
U.S.C. 501(c)(4), which engages in lobbying activities is not eligible
to apply, serve as a host site for Member placements, or act in any
type of supervisory role in the program.
This Notice does not apply to organizations interested in applying
to become AmeriCorps*VISTA cost-share projects. Such organizations
should contact their respective State Office of the Corporation for
National Service.
Criteria for the Selection of Programs
The Corporation will employ the following criteria in the review of
proposals under this initiative:
1. Program Quality. A proposal must demonstrate the applicant's
capacity to establish clear and specific objectives to meet compelling
community needs, design meaningful service activities based on these
needs, and recruit, select, train and manage AmeriCorps Members to
carry out these needs. The proposal should demonstrate the applicant's
organizational and staff
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capacity to manage a high quality program. The proposal should evidence
strong community support, and have a demonstrable impact on the
community being served, together with the capacity to document that
impact.
2. Program Growth. If the applicant currently sponsors an
AmeriCorps project or another service project, there must be evidence
that the availability of education awards will increase the size and
scope of the service program and/or enhance its quality.
3. Preference for Children and Youth Programs. The Corporation will
give preference to those programs addressing the needs of our Nation's
children and youth, such as tutoring, mentoring, after-school and
summer programs, and immunization. Especially important are efforts
designed to involve children and youth being served in performing
service themselves, not simply the implementation of programs designed
to serve them.
4. Preference for identified models. Although the Corporation will
consider all model program proposals, the Corporation will give
preference to the models identified in this announcement.
Selection Process
The Corporation will judge proposals with a process that includes
review by outside experts, staff review and recommendations, and final
decisions by the Corporation Board. The Corporation will enter into
negotiations with potentially successful applicants in a manner that
may require significant modifications to original proposals. Awards are
contingent on successful completion of negotiations. The number of
applications approved, the number of education awards provided to
approved programs, and the duration of approved programs are subject to
the availability of funds and education awards.
Dated: August 28, 1996.
Shirley Sagawa,
Managing Director for Planning, Corporation for National Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22449 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P
