The Iowa College Corps AmeriCorps program centers on accessible career preparation experiences for college students and recent graduates interested in nonprofit and public sector careers. Individuals are placed with a nonprofit or community-based organization and earn hands-on experience, a living allowance, and a Segal Education Award to pay back student loans or cover college tuition. In addition, Seed Coalition provides the training necessary for students to earn the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance’s Certification for Nonprofit Professionals, funding to attend Seed Coalition’s Civic Action Academy, and opportunities to network with other AmeriCorps members.
This program is in its pilot year and includes some exciting new aspects that benefit both members and host sites. For example, host sites can contribute to the member living allowance using Federal Work Study dollars, which double as a portion of the host site fee and allow us to increase the living allowance for these members to a more equitable amount. If you are interested to learn more, please contact Kayla Lyftogt.
This is the beginning of an ambitious effort to rebuild civic capacity in the Midwest by introducing more college students to non-profit and public service careers.
Rob Barron, Seed Coalition Executive Director
Service Parameters
Host sites, typically Iowa institutions of higher education, administer the program on their campus and supervise AmeriCorps members. All aspects of AmeriCorps, including training, are supported and administered by Seed Coalition staff. Host sites have the option to choose between 100-hour (abbreviated-time), 300-hour (minimum-time), or 1700-hour (full-time) positions. AmeriCorps position types are detailed below but have flexibility in how they are utilized.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
All AmeriCorps members receive an education award upon successful completion of their service term. Education award amounts are determined by their position type and increase with the number of hours served. More information about education awards can be found here. All members in the program also receive valuable AmeriCorps and professional development training provided by Seed Coalition staff. Additional member benefits can be provided upon request.
- Abbreviated-time Position: Unpaid position only. Receives education award. No cost to host site.
- Minimum-time Position: Option for paid or unpaid position.
- Unpaid: Receives education award only. No cost to host site.
- Paid: Receives $4,500 + education award. Host site fee of $2,000.
- Full-time Position: Paid position only. Receives $22,500 + education award. Host site fee of $7,000
Joselyn Hildebrand, AmeriCorps Member
“I have learned a lot about my future career path goals and have been able to narrow down what it is that I want to be doing after I graduate.”
