National Service Programs Fast Facts

national service - a formal program (funded privately, by government, or both) in which people of different ages work for nominal pay for several months or up to two years to build stronger communities in the United States and abroad in partnership with nonprofit organizations.


Please check individual programs for details and application procedures. Also, visit the Corporation for National and Community Service and State Service Commissions for more information about AmeriCorps, SeniorCorps, and Learn & Serve programs.

Program	Eligibility	Length and Location of Service	Projects	Benefits
AmeriCorps State and National	Citizens and permanent residents, age 17 and older	10 months, fulltime,	Direct services such as tutoring and restoring parks in partnership with nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations	Living allowance, health care, Education Award up to $4,725 for qualified student loans/tuition, more.
AmeriCorps NCCC	Citizens and permanent residents, ages 17-24	10 months, fulltime - reside and work based at one of four college campuses.	Serve in teams on projects to improve the environment, education, public safety, unmet needs, homeland security, and disaster relief	Living allowance, health care, Education Award up to $4,725 for qualified student loans/tuition, more.
AmeriCorps VISTA	Citizens and permanent residents, ages 17-24	One year, fulltime, dedicated to bringing individuals and communities out of poverty	Leadership role with nonprofit organization or public agency	Living allowance, health care, Education Award up to $4,725 for qualified student loans/tuition, more.
City Year - national nonprofit organization, founded 1988	Citizens and permanent residents, ages 18-24	One year, fulltime, in one of 18 U.S. locations or Johannesburg, South Africa	Mentoring, tutoring, organizing after-school programs and vacation programs	Living allowance, health care, Education Award up to $4,725 for qualified student loans/tuition, more.
Public Allies -national nonprofit organization, founded 1992	Citizens and permanent residents, ages 18-30	10 months, fulltime, located on college campuses	Leadership development, apprenticeships at local nonprofit organizations	Living allowance, health care, Education Award up to $4,725 for qualified student loans/tuition, more.
Teach for America -national nonprofit organization, founded 1990	Citizens and permanent residents, Bachelor's degree, more.	Two years	Teach fulltime in schools in low-income communities	Salaries and health benefits are paid directly by school districts; earn teacher certification, Education Award, more.
Peace Corps	U.S. Citizens, minimum age 18; no maximum age	27 months; assignments in 74 countries	Education, business and community development; agriculture, environment, health and HIV/AIDS; information technology.	Living allowance, health care, student loan deferment (or partial cancellation), $6,000 upon completion of service for transition at home.
The Corps Network - 113 Service and Conservation Corps	U.S. citizens, ages 16-25	Varies. State and local programs in 42 states and District of Columbia	Community service, conservation and backcountry projects; disaster preparation and response, more.	Stipend, health care, Education Award, more.
Senior Corps	Age 55+ (60+ for some programs)	15-40 hours/week	Community service, mentoring, foster grandparents	Modest stipend, depending on eligibility and program
Experience Corps - Founded in 1995, a nonprofit program of Civic Ventures	Age 55+	15 hours/week for a minimum of one school year; teams are located in 19 cities nationwide	Tutoring and mentoring elementary school students	Modest stipend, training

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