Getting Started: Students

We are pleased you are interested in serving your community as an AmeriCorps Member. Now more than ever, nonprofits, schools, and communities at-large are relying on students like you to respond to the call to service.

Students in Service can support a variety of engagement efforts, including:

• Most volunteer work, including tutoring, mentoring, stream restoration, volunteer recruitment, and more!
• Campus-based volunteer programs and general community service;
• Academic and co-curricular Service-Learning;
• Federal/State Work Study-funded Community Service positions (the only eligible paid positions);
• Non-paid, academic internships with a service focus;
• Practicum hours, such as nursing, counseling, environmental field work, and more!

To enroll in the program just follow the steps below.

How It Works

1. Complete the Online Pre-Service Orientation to the program for general program and eligibility information.
2. Once you have completed the Online Pre-Service Orientation and decide to commit to the program, you should identify tentative service projects.
3. Next, schedule and attend the mandatory In-Person Program Orientation session by contacting the SIS Coordinator at your institution. This is the time to commit to a Term of Service (either 300, 450, or 900 hours), learn about National Service, review the member agreement, and review the enrollment paperwork.
4. After successfully completing the enrollment process, you become an AmeriCorps member and accumulate service hours over the course of one or two years. Each month, you will submit Time Logs (signed by you and your Site Supervisor) and report progress to the SIS Coordinator on your campus.
5. You’ll work closely with a person at your service site, called a Site Supervisor, who assists you in developing a service position description and identifying service goals. Site Supervisors also verify monthly Time Logs and monitor compliance with Prohibited Activities.
6. You’ll have two years (24 months) from your enrollment date to complete a 900 hour term; and one year (12 months) from your enrollment date to complete either the 300 or 450 hour term.
7. Upon successful completion of your Term of Service and returning the necessary paperwork, you’ll exit the program and receive an Education Award.

If you are interested in learning more about the SIS program, go to the Online Pre-Service Orientation and then to our AmeriCorps Members page.