How to use your Segal Education Award

What is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award?

The Segal Education Award is one of the key benefits that AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive after their service experience is complete, and we encourage all City Year corps members to make sure they apply to receive it. You have seven years after you finish service to access and use this award and it can be used to pay off student loans, future study and even education-focused travel abroad!

How much is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award?

You’ve put in a year of dedication and long days providing support for students and teachers, helping to cultivate an engaging and welcoming learning environment where all students feel like they belong and can thrive. You’ve received 300+ hours of training, learned a lot and—we hope—had some fun along the way.

Now that you’re thinking about your future goals, take a look at how a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award—worth $7,395 in 2024—can help you reach them. (The amount of the award is equivalent to the Pell grant.)

Whether you plan to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, want to learn a new trade, take classes to enhance a skill, or study abroad, your AmeriCorps service makes you eligible for this award to cover academic costs. To make the most of it, be informed and plan ahead by taking a look at the tips below.

You can use the Segal Education Award at Title IV schools or on existing student loans

While you can use your education award to pay off qualified existing student loans, you can also use the award to pay for additional education. You can apply your education award at any school listed as Title IV. (Don’t worry—there are a lot of them!)

What are Title IV schools? They are institutions that process U.S. student financial aid, including many universities, colleges, trade schools, outdoor education programs, schools overseas and international programs. Using the award at Title IV schools also may enable you to travel.

City Year’s University Partners offer unique scholarships to City Year alumni

Many schools recognize that the skills City Year AmeriCorps alumni bring to the table are valuable assets to their community. They offer additional tuition discounts and sometimes scholarships to match your education award, dollar for dollar.

“Between the scholarship my school offers City Year alumni and the Segal Education Award I earned for completing my City Year AmeriCorps year, going back to school was now something I could afford,” said alum Izzi Hernandez-Cruz, City Year Columbia ’15. “These partnerships and educational awards are two tools that demonstrate how much City Year values the leadership development of both their corps and alumni.”

Take advantage of your Segal Education Award within seven years

If you’re not sure how to use your award right now, no problem. You have seven years from the date you complete your term of service to use your education award funds.

If you serve an additional year with AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps during that seven-year period, you may be eligible to receive an extension. However, it’s very important to submit your request for an extension before your seven years expire—and the best way is through the My AmeriCorps portal. Take a closer look at the rules here.

The Segal Award is viewed as income

This award is different from a scholarship or fellowship. It’s important to know that when you spend your award, it will be subject to federal taxes. It’s important to factor that cost into your plans!

You’ve given so much to your students and community and sacrificed a larger salary by serving with AmeriCorps for a year or two. This benefit is YOURS in the same way your stipend is and can make a difference in your future so make sure you access it!

Excited about how City Year can help you reach your goals? Connect with us or apply to serve now!