[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46628-46631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22449]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Availability of Education Awards under the AmeriCorps Education 
Awards Program

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of education awards.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National Service (The Corporation) seeks 
to expand opportunities for individuals to serve as AmeriCorps Members 
and earn educational benefits, broaden the network of national service 
programs and strategies, and increase the number of communities joining 
with AmeriCorps to better meet their education, public safety, 
environmental, and other human needs.
    Accordingly, the Corporation announces the availability of up to 
5,000 education awards from the National Service Trust (the Trust) 
through a simplified application process for community service programs 
that (1) Can support most or all of the AmeriCorps Member and program 
costs from sources other than the Corporation; (2) meet certain 
AmeriCorps program requirements; and (3) are judged to be high quality 
according to Corporation criteria, as highlighted below and set forth 
in the application materials. The education awards being made available 
may be earned by AmeriCorps Members successfully completing Full-time 
or Part-time terms in a community service program approved through this 
application process.
    While programs supported under this Notice should be similar to 
other AmeriCorps*State and *National programs to maintain the integrity 
of the AmeriCorps national service network, the Corporation is 
modifying certain AmeriCorps requirements and permitting programs 
greater management and operating flexibility. In addition, the 
Corporation will consider requests for up to $1,000 per full-time 
Member (pro-rated for a part-time Member) to manage these programs.
    Potential program sponsors eligible to apply under this Notice 
include national nonprofit organizations, multi-state collaborations, 
state commissions for national and community service, institutions for 
higher education, and state education agencies. Other applicants may 
apply through state commissions, provided they meet criteria 
established by the state commission.

DATES: Applications may be obtained on or after September 4, 1996. For 
applications received by October 31, 1996, we anticipate making 
decisions by November 30, 1996. For applications received by February 
28, 1997, we anticipate making decisions by March 31, 1997. For 
applications received by June 30, 1997, we anticipate making decisions 
by July 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Application materials may be obtained from, and must be 
submitted to, the following address: AmeriCorps Education Awards 
Program, Corporation for National Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20525. They may also be requested by telephone, at 202/
606-5000, ext. 260, or (TDD) 202/565-2700. This notice may be requested 
in an alternative format for the visually impaired.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information about this program, 
contact the Corporation for National Service, Hank Oltmann at 202/606-
5000, ext. 417, or (TDD) 202/565-2700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Corporation is a federal government corporation that engages 
Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service. This 
service addresses the nation's education, public safety, environmental, 
or other human needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In 
doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the 
ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational 
opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service.
    Pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as

[[Page 46629]]

amended, 42 U.S.C. 12501, et seq. (the Act), the Corporation may 
``support innovative and model programs.'' 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12653(b). In 
addition, an individual can receive an education award from the 
National Service Trust if, among other things, the individual 
``successfully completes the required term of service . . . in an 
approved national service position.'' 42 U.S.C. 12602. The Act defines 
an approved national service position to include six specific service 
positions and ``such other national service positions as the 
Corporation considers to be appropriate.'' 42 U.S.C. 12573.
    Although AmeriCorps Education Award programs should be similar to 
existing AmeriCorps programs to maintain the integrity of the 
AmeriCorps national service network, the Corporation recognizes that 
some modifications to program and administrative requirements are 
appropriate. Program, grant, and administrative requirements are set 
forth in the application guidelines.

Program Eligibility and Design

    The Corporation will accept applications from eligible applicants 
proposing to sponsor a national service program that addresses the 
unmet education, public safety, environmental, and other human needs in 
the community served, and provides a direct and demonstrable benefit 
that is valued by the community. The Corporation is looking for high-
quality programs that (1) ``get things done'' to meet local needs, (2) 
strengthen communities, and (3) develop Members. Programs must 
establish specific objectives for the program, which are subject to the 
Corporation's approval.
    For this initiative, the Corporation seeks programs that will 
support most or all program and participant costs (other than education 
awards) through sources other than the Corporation. The Corporation 
will consider requests for up to $1,000 per new full-time Member (pro-
rated for a part-time Member) to manage the program. A request for 
funds in addition to the education awards should reflect the minimum 
support necessary to manage the program; should, in the case of 
existing service programs, reflect only the management costs related to 
adding new Members; may affect approval of the proposal due to lack of 
available funding; and will be the subject of negotiation between the 
applicant and the Corporation.
    By ``getting things done,'' programs will help their communities 
meet education, public safety, environmental, or other human needs 
through direct and demonstrable service. Programs must be large enough 
to achieve a demonstrable impact on the community served. Accordingly, 
the Corporation expects programs to enroll a sufficient number of 
either full-time or part-time Members, regardless of whether they are 
placed individually or in teams, to produce a demonstrable impact. If 
the program uses part-time Members, the program must demonstrate that 
the service provided by individual Members will be sustained and 
ongoing, not merely episodic.
    To strengthen communities, programs should engage a full range of 
local partners to build a self-sustaining commitment to service. 
Service projects should be designed, implemented, and evaluated with 
appropriate local input and consultation with representatives of the 
community served, including community-based agencies, foundations, 
businesses, local labor organizations representing employees of service 
sponsors, and local government.
    To develop Members, programs should provide appropriate training, 
education, supervision, and support, and emphasize the ethic and skills 
needed for productive, active citizenship.
    Programs must keep time and attendance records on all AmeriCorps 
Members to document their eligibility for the education award. Programs 
will be required to cooperate with the Corporation and its evaluators 
in all its monitoring and evaluation efforts. Semi-annual program 
progress reports will be required. Member enrollment, end-of-term, and 
other National Service Trust forms must be submitted in compliance with 
existing requirements.

Program Models

    The Corporation intends to support a variety of models under this 
initiative. The following is a list of models for both part-time 
(including summer) and full-time programs the Corporation intends to 
support. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional models.
    (1) School-based and community-based service programs, including 
youth corps. Potential projects include tutoring and mentoring younger 
children and leading them in service projects after school, on 
weekends, and during summer.
    (2) College-based programs in which student AmeriCorps Members 
eligible for education awards act as part-time service-learning 
coordinators in local schools, or perform other service.
    (3) Programs run by colleges in which institutions agree to provide 
(a) future scholarships to middle and secondary level students if they 
qualify for admission, and (b) provide younger students with college 
student mentors, who are part-time AmeriCorps Members.
    (4) Summer programs in which AmeriCorps Members organize service 
and other activities for children and youth.
    (5) Joint initiatives between community organizations and private 
sector organizations in which full-time employees perform service in 
the community on their own time as AmeriCorps Members and receive a 
part-time education award.
    (6) Before and after-school child care programs led by AmeriCorps 
Members funded by local communities.
    (7) Full-time service programs run by religious organizations, 
youth corps, or other entities where expansion will be achieved by 
offering additional education awards.
    (8) Fellowship programs in which individuals such as recent college 
or professional school graduates serve in public interest positions in 
their field of service for a year before seeking more permanent 
employment.
    (9) Programs initiated by mayors and other local officials to 
integrate locally funded AmeriCorps Members into community-wide 
strategies to solve local problems; for example, a city or town with a 
shortage of supervised activities for middle-school students during 
summer months might design and fund a program for AmeriCorps Members to 
lead teams of youth in service activities.

Matching Funds Requirements

    There is no matching funds requirement under the AmeriCorps 
Education Award Program.

Member Recruitment and Development

    Programs must enroll Members to complete full-time (at least 1700 
hours in a nine to twelve month period) or part-time (at least 900 
hours over not more than two years or approved reduced part-time) terms 
of service.
    Programs must select their Members in a non-partisan, non-
political, and non-discriminatory manner. Members must be U.S. 
citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens. Members 
must be at least 17 years old, except that out-of-school 16 year olds 
may participate in youth corps programs and programs for disadvantaged 
youth that address the need for housing and other community facilities 
in low-income areas.
    Programs are encouraged to recruit Members who possess leadership 
potential and a commitment to the goals of national service, regardless 
of the

[[Page 46630]]

Member's educational level, work experience, or economic background. In 
recruiting and placing their Members, programs must not displace any 
employee or position, or otherwise violate the non-displacement 
provisions of the Corporation's regulations, which are published at 45 
CFR Sec. 2540.100(f).
    In addition, programs should strive to build strong communities by 
engaging diverse Members, community volunteers and staff in service 
activities and by encouraging mutual understanding and cooperation. 
Programs should actively seek to include Members and staff from the 
communities in which projects are conducted, as well as individuals of 
different races and ethnicities, ages, education levels, socioeconomic 
backgrounds, both men and women, and individuals with physical and 
cognitive disabilities.
    Programs must provide Members with the training, skills, and 
knowledge necessary to perform the tasks required in their respective 
projects. In addition, programs are encouraged to help participants who 
have not completed their secondary education to earn the equivalent of 
a high school diploma.

Member Benefits

    The Corporation will not set a minimum living allowance for full-
time Members (which, for current AmeriCorps programs, is $7,945 per 
year) under the AmeriCorps Education Award Program. The maximum living 
allowance for full-time AmeriCorps Members under this program is 
$10,000 per year. Any living allowance for a part-time Member may not 
exceed a prorated share of a maximum of $10,000 per year on a full-time 
basis. This maximum may be waived by the Corporation, upon request, for 
certain professional corps and similar programs.
    Health care and child care are not required under the AmeriCorps 
Education Award Program, but may be offered by the local program which 
is responsible for all Member benefits.
    Programs must provide reasonable accommodation, including auxiliary 
aids and services, based on the individualized need of a Member who is 
a qualified individual with a disability. Programs must also establish 
and maintain a procedure for receiving and resolving grievances from 
participants and other interested individuals concerning the program.

Eligibility for the Education Award

    Members who successfully complete full-time or part-time terms of 
service are eligible for education awards for each of up to two terms 
of service. Full-time Members must serve at least 1700 hours during a 
period of not less than nine months and not more than a year. Part-time 
Members must generally serve at least 900 hours during a period of not 
more than two years. Members may also serve in approved reduced part-
time programs (such as summer programs or other programs requiring less 
than 900 hours), with education awards prorated to the number of hours 
served.
    Under the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program, the Corporation will 
not accept proposals for part-time service of more than two years. 
Full-time education awards are $4,725 and part-time education awards 
are $2,362.50.

Use of Education Award

    The education award may be used only for specific educational 
purposes: (1) To repay a Member's qualified loans; or (2) towards the 
cost of a Member's attendance at a qualified institution of higher 
education or approved School-to-Work program. The education award is 
not transferable to anyone other than the Member. The award must be 
paid directly to the loan holder or the educational institution. 
Regulations governing AmeriCorps education awards are published at 45 
CFR Sec. 2525-2529.

Prohibited Service

    Prohibited activities may not be performed by Members in the course 
of their duties, at the request of program staff, or in a manner that 
would associate the activities with the national service program or the 
Corporation. However, Members are free to engage in such activities on 
their own initiative, on their own time, and at their own expense. 
These activities include:
    (1) any effort to influence legislation, as defined under Sec. 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501);
    (2) organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or 
strikes;
    (3) assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
    (4) impairing existing contracts for services or collective 
bargaining agreements;
    (5) engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities 
designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
    (6) participating in, or endorsing, events or activities which are 
likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political 
platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected 
officials;
    (7) engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, 
providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory 
religious education or worship, constructing or operating facilities 
primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or 
engaging in any form of religious proselytization; and providing a 
direct benefit to (a) A business organized for profit, (b) a labor 
union, (c) a partisan political organization, (d) a nonprofit 
organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in 
Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (e) an 
organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph 
(6) above, unless Corporation assistance is not used to support those 
religious activities.

Eligible Applicants

    State Commissions, national non-profit organizations proposing to 
operate in more than one state, multi-state collaborations, 
institutions of higher education, and state education agencies may 
apply directly to the Corporation.
    Local non-profit organizations, State and local units of government 
(other than state education agencies), other state-wide programs, and 
programs operating only within the state must apply through respective 
State Commissions on National and Community Service. Interested 
applicants should first contact their respective Commissions.
    Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization 
described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(4), which engages in lobbying activities is not eligible 
to apply, serve as a host site for Member placements, or act in any 
type of supervisory role in the program.
    This Notice does not apply to organizations interested in applying 
to become AmeriCorps*VISTA cost-share projects. Such organizations 
should contact their respective State Office of the Corporation for 
National Service.

Criteria for the Selection of Programs

    The Corporation will employ the following criteria in the review of 
proposals under this initiative:
    1. Program Quality. A proposal must demonstrate the applicant's 
capacity to establish clear and specific objectives to meet compelling 
community needs, design meaningful service activities based on these 
needs, and recruit, select, train and manage AmeriCorps Members to 
carry out these needs. The proposal should demonstrate the applicant's 
organizational and staff

[[Page 46631]]

capacity to manage a high quality program. The proposal should evidence 
strong community support, and have a demonstrable impact on the 
community being served, together with the capacity to document that 
impact.
    2. Program Growth. If the applicant currently sponsors an 
AmeriCorps project or another service project, there must be evidence 
that the availability of education awards will increase the size and 
scope of the service program and/or enhance its quality.
    3. Preference for Children and Youth Programs. The Corporation will 
give preference to those programs addressing the needs of our Nation's 
children and youth, such as tutoring, mentoring, after-school and 
summer programs, and immunization. Especially important are efforts 
designed to involve children and youth being served in performing 
service themselves, not simply the implementation of programs designed 
to serve them.
    4. Preference for identified models. Although the Corporation will 
consider all model program proposals, the Corporation will give 
preference to the models identified in this announcement.

Selection Process

    The Corporation will judge proposals with a process that includes 
review by outside experts, staff review and recommendations, and final 
decisions by the Corporation Board. The Corporation will enter into 
negotiations with potentially successful applicants in a manner that 
may require significant modifications to original proposals. Awards are 
contingent on successful completion of negotiations. The number of 
applications approved, the number of education awards provided to 
approved programs, and the duration of approved programs are subject to 
the availability of funds and education awards.

    Dated: August 28, 1996.
Shirley Sagawa,
Managing Director for Planning, Corporation for National Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22449 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P