in this section
Types of Exits from AmeriCorps
- Exit with Full Award
- Exit Early with full award with a compelling circumstance
- Exit Early with partial award with a compelling circumstance
- Exit Early with no award for cause
other related sections
Exit with full award
Members may exit on their end date when they have met all program requirements as outlined in their member service agreement.
The member must exit on their end date. Members who are exiting early will need to go through the exit early process. Members who are unable to meet the program requirements by their contracted end date may not be able to earn their education award and successfully exit the program.
The member must exit on their end date. Members who are exiting early will need to go through the exit early process. Members who are unable to meet the program requirements by their contracted end date may not be able to earn their education award and successfully exit the program.
Exit Early with full award with a compelling circumstance
Members who have completed all of their service hours and associated program requirements prior to their end date can request to exit early for compelling circumstance. Members must demonstrate that they cannot complete their term of service and that their circumstances are beyond their control.
This may include a member being unable to complete their term of service because their service site is unable to provide enough additional service hours AND the member/supervisor cannot find an additional service site to provide capacity building services.
In this case, compelling circumstances does not necessarily mean a catastrophic personal event, rather it indicates that events have taken place which are preventing the member from completing their entire term “are beyond the participant’s control.”
Members must provide supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note or email communication to exit for compelling circumstance.
This may include a member being unable to complete their term of service because their service site is unable to provide enough additional service hours AND the member/supervisor cannot find an additional service site to provide capacity building services.
In this case, compelling circumstances does not necessarily mean a catastrophic personal event, rather it indicates that events have taken place which are preventing the member from completing their entire term “are beyond the participant’s control.”
Members must provide supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note or email communication to exit for compelling circumstance.
Exit Early with partial award with a compelling circumstance
Requests to be exited for compelling circumstance must be submitted in a timely manner. All requests submitted well beyond the occurrence of the events described in the narrative will be denied.
AmeriCorps has established that a compelling circumstance are “those that are beyond the participants control” and may include “a participant’s disability or serious illness,” the “disability, serious illness, or death of a participant’s family member if this makes completing a term unreasonably difficult or impossible,” or “conditions attributable to the program or otherwise unforeseeable and beyond the participant’s control” (CFR §2522.230).
AmeriCorps has also established that a compelling circumstance is not exiting early “to enroll in school,” “to obtain employment,” or “because of dissatisfaction with the program” (CFR §2522.230). Iowa Campus Compact has also established that a member cannot exit early for compelling circumstance because of their general inability to complete required service hours.
All members seeking to exit early who cannot meet the compelling circumstance requirements will be exited for cause.
Individuals who desire to exit early from ICAP without completing more than 15% of their total hours may not exit for Compelling Circumstance.
Members must provide supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note or email communication to exit for compelling circumstance.
AmeriCorps has established that a compelling circumstance are “those that are beyond the participants control” and may include “a participant’s disability or serious illness,” the “disability, serious illness, or death of a participant’s family member if this makes completing a term unreasonably difficult or impossible,” or “conditions attributable to the program or otherwise unforeseeable and beyond the participant’s control” (CFR §2522.230).
AmeriCorps has also established that a compelling circumstance is not exiting early “to enroll in school,” “to obtain employment,” or “because of dissatisfaction with the program” (CFR §2522.230). Iowa Campus Compact has also established that a member cannot exit early for compelling circumstance because of their general inability to complete required service hours.
All members seeking to exit early who cannot meet the compelling circumstance requirements will be exited for cause.
Individuals who desire to exit early from ICAP without completing more than 15% of their total hours may not exit for Compelling Circumstance.
Members must provide supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note or email communication to exit for compelling circumstance.
Exit Early with no award for cause
Exiting early for cause does not prevent the member from applying for and possibly being awarded future AmeriCorps awards. If the member has successfully completed their exit paperwork and it is received within 30 days of exit, the member is considered to be in good standing and will be eligible for future participation in the AmeriCorps program. If, however, the member does not successfully complete their exit paperwork then the member is considered to not be in good standing resulting in the member forfeiting all participation in future AmeriCorps programs.
Exiting early for cause “encompasses any circumstances other than compelling personal circumstances that warrant an individual’s release from completing a term of service” (CFR §2522.230).
Individuals who desire to exit early from ICAP without completing more than 15% of their total hours must exit for cause.
Exiting for cause from any AmeriCorps program will result in complete loss of any potential education award.
Exiting early for cause “encompasses any circumstances other than compelling personal circumstances that warrant an individual’s release from completing a term of service” (CFR §2522.230).
Individuals who desire to exit early from ICAP without completing more than 15% of their total hours must exit for cause.
Exiting for cause from any AmeriCorps program will result in complete loss of any potential education award.