Frequently Asked Questions for Supervisors and Members
For questions regarding how your institution can match your AmeriCorps award click here.
Prior to Service
Q: Is AmeriCorps like the Peace Corps?
A: They are similar programs. AmeriCorps is often referred to as "the domestic Peace Corps." Both agencies are committed to service, and both offer challenging and rewarding opportunities. Peace Corps assignments are all full-time for two-years and located overseas. AmeriCorps members serve only in the United States, and the assignments can be part-time or full-time.
Q: Will I get paid to be an ICAP member?
A: ICAP members do not receive any compensation outside of the education award.
Q: Can I join if I'm not a US Citizen?
A: You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the US.
Q: How many AmeriCorps terms can I serve?
A: A person can serve up to four terms of service OR receive no more than the value of two full- time education awards. It is possible to serve up to three ICAP terms of service (300 or 450 hours) and still be eligible to serve a full-time term (1700 hours) of service with another AmeriCorps program (including a full-time VISTA position).
During Service
Q: I was home-schooled and thus did not receive an “official” high school diploma when I graduated. How can I certify that I am a qualified high school graduate?
A: AmeriCorps regulations state that “self-certification of high school diploma or its equivalent is sufficient. The program need not require any further documentation as long as the member certifies under penalty of law that he or she has a high school diploma or its equivalent, or agrees to obtain their high school diploma before using the education award.” Therefore, all you must do is submit to IACC in writing (email or letter) that you have graduated from high school.
Q: If I exit the ICAP program early, can somebody else take my place?
A: Yes, as long as it meets the following criteria: if the member is released for cause, has not completed more than 30% of their hours, and are exited without receiving their education award. If a member is released for compelling personal circumstances, or if the member has completed more than 30% of their hours, the slot is not eligible to be refilled.
Q: I believe I have a compelling personal circumstance that prevents me from completing my hours. Can I be exited early but still get my education award?
A: If you can demonstrate that the circumstance is beyond your control and will prevent you from completing your term, then yes – you can exit early and will qualify for a portion of your education award if you have completed over 15% of your hours.
Q: If I need to be put on suspension because of a compelling personal circumstance, how soon do I need to notify somebody?
A: Please notify the IACC office as soon as the situation arises. We must let our state office know within five business days of the suspension. If you do not let us know by that time, the suspension will not be approved.
Q: I don’t think I will be able to complete any hours this pay period. What should I do?
A: If for some reason you are unable to complete any hours you will need to be placed on suspension. The federal government does not allow AmeriCorps members to serve zero hours in a pay period, unless they are on suspension (for cause or compelling personal circumstances). Therefore, you need to ensure you complete service hours during each pay period (even if it is a very minimal amount).
Q: Can I count “on-call” hours at my service site for AmeriCorps hours?
A: Yes. The official guidance on counting these hours is as follows: “on call hours can be counted for time spent actively waiting for/monitoring incoming calls at the service site or time spent actually serving in response to a call.”
Q: How many hours per day can I count toward my total? (I am serving as a disaster volunteer; working at an all-day camp; or working on an "on-call" basis).
A: You can report up to 14 hours per day.
Q: Do I have to complete all trainings that Iowa Campus Compact offers?
A: AmeriCorps and IACC require you complete, at a minimum, the following trainings: orientation, IowaGrants, Education Award, citizenship, communication, disaster response, volunteer management, and life after AmeriCorps. If your site offers additional trainings, it is up to the site supervisor to determine whether those are required or not.
Q: What is a "great story" and what should I write about?
A: Great Stories provide written, qualitative information regarding the impact you had on your community during your ICAP term of service. We may use excerpts of your great story in a progress report, grant proposal or for marketing purposes.
Q: How long do I have to complete my service hours?
A: Members have no more than 12 months to complete their service hours. The only exception to this is if during your term of service, you are suspended for a compelling personal circumstance. In that case, you could have the amount of time you are suspended added on to the 12 months.
Q: If I am exited for cause from the ICAP program, will I be able to serve another term in AmeriCorps?
A: If you complete all work assignments and performed satisfactorily during your term of service, you will be eligible to complete additional AmeriCorps terms.
Q: What is the amount of the education award I will earn?
A: If you are a 300-hour member, you will earn $1,132 upon successful completion. If you are a 450-hour member, you will earn $1,415.
Q: When will I receive my education award?
A: Upon successful completion and exit from the ICAP program, your education award should be available in the AmeriCorps portal (my.americorps.gov) within 1-2 weeks of your official exit date.
Prior to Service
Q: Is AmeriCorps like the Peace Corps?
A: They are similar programs. AmeriCorps is often referred to as "the domestic Peace Corps." Both agencies are committed to service, and both offer challenging and rewarding opportunities. Peace Corps assignments are all full-time for two-years and located overseas. AmeriCorps members serve only in the United States, and the assignments can be part-time or full-time.
Q: Will I get paid to be an ICAP member?
A: ICAP members do not receive any compensation outside of the education award.
Q: Can I join if I'm not a US Citizen?
A: You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the US.
Q: How many AmeriCorps terms can I serve?
A: A person can serve up to four terms of service OR receive no more than the value of two full- time education awards. It is possible to serve up to three ICAP terms of service (300 or 450 hours) and still be eligible to serve a full-time term (1700 hours) of service with another AmeriCorps program (including a full-time VISTA position).
During Service
Q: I was home-schooled and thus did not receive an “official” high school diploma when I graduated. How can I certify that I am a qualified high school graduate?
A: AmeriCorps regulations state that “self-certification of high school diploma or its equivalent is sufficient. The program need not require any further documentation as long as the member certifies under penalty of law that he or she has a high school diploma or its equivalent, or agrees to obtain their high school diploma before using the education award.” Therefore, all you must do is submit to IACC in writing (email or letter) that you have graduated from high school.
Q: If I exit the ICAP program early, can somebody else take my place?
A: Yes, as long as it meets the following criteria: if the member is released for cause, has not completed more than 30% of their hours, and are exited without receiving their education award. If a member is released for compelling personal circumstances, or if the member has completed more than 30% of their hours, the slot is not eligible to be refilled.
Q: I believe I have a compelling personal circumstance that prevents me from completing my hours. Can I be exited early but still get my education award?
A: If you can demonstrate that the circumstance is beyond your control and will prevent you from completing your term, then yes – you can exit early and will qualify for a portion of your education award if you have completed over 15% of your hours.
Q: If I need to be put on suspension because of a compelling personal circumstance, how soon do I need to notify somebody?
A: Please notify the IACC office as soon as the situation arises. We must let our state office know within five business days of the suspension. If you do not let us know by that time, the suspension will not be approved.
Q: I don’t think I will be able to complete any hours this pay period. What should I do?
A: If for some reason you are unable to complete any hours you will need to be placed on suspension. The federal government does not allow AmeriCorps members to serve zero hours in a pay period, unless they are on suspension (for cause or compelling personal circumstances). Therefore, you need to ensure you complete service hours during each pay period (even if it is a very minimal amount).
Q: Can I count “on-call” hours at my service site for AmeriCorps hours?
A: Yes. The official guidance on counting these hours is as follows: “on call hours can be counted for time spent actively waiting for/monitoring incoming calls at the service site or time spent actually serving in response to a call.”
Q: How many hours per day can I count toward my total? (I am serving as a disaster volunteer; working at an all-day camp; or working on an "on-call" basis).
A: You can report up to 14 hours per day.
Q: Do I have to complete all trainings that Iowa Campus Compact offers?
A: AmeriCorps and IACC require you complete, at a minimum, the following trainings: orientation, IowaGrants, Education Award, citizenship, communication, disaster response, volunteer management, and life after AmeriCorps. If your site offers additional trainings, it is up to the site supervisor to determine whether those are required or not.
Q: What is a "great story" and what should I write about?
A: Great Stories provide written, qualitative information regarding the impact you had on your community during your ICAP term of service. We may use excerpts of your great story in a progress report, grant proposal or for marketing purposes.
Q: How long do I have to complete my service hours?
A: Members have no more than 12 months to complete their service hours. The only exception to this is if during your term of service, you are suspended for a compelling personal circumstance. In that case, you could have the amount of time you are suspended added on to the 12 months.
Q: If I am exited for cause from the ICAP program, will I be able to serve another term in AmeriCorps?
A: If you complete all work assignments and performed satisfactorily during your term of service, you will be eligible to complete additional AmeriCorps terms.
Q: What is the amount of the education award I will earn?
A: If you are a 300-hour member, you will earn $1,132 upon successful completion. If you are a 450-hour member, you will earn $1,415.
Q: When will I receive my education award?
A: Upon successful completion and exit from the ICAP program, your education award should be available in the AmeriCorps portal (my.americorps.gov) within 1-2 weeks of your official exit date.