How to Access your Education Award

Step 1: Visit and sign inhttp://my.americorps.gov

Step 2: Click My Education Award> Create Education Award Payment Request

Step 3: Click “Search Institutions”

Step 4: Enter Institution Information (for loan provider or school)* *Less is more when it comes to this search engine. For some reason, the more information I put, the less likely I am to get results. Stick with just entering the name of your school or loan provider first. If you run into further problems, contact the hotline:

Step 5: Select your institution from the list* *If your institution is not found, try searching again with slightly different information (e.g. add or subtract a “the” or add a zip code). If still not found, click “Not Found” and you will be asked to enter as much information as possible about the institution. Be sure to do your research! Call your loan provider or school if you don’t know the appropriate address to list.

Step 6: Select your Payment type* *Education expenses is for current tuition/school expenses Loan Payment is for student loans

Step 7: If “Educational Expenses” type in the semester or term Semester or Term Examples: Fall 2003, 2nd Quarter 2004, First Trimester 2005, Second Semester 2000.

Step 8: Enter the amount you would like to send to the qualifying loan provider or institution

A note about “Amount Authorized” Amount Authorized This is the amount of your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that you authorize the National Service Trust to pay your Institution. You can choose to authorize all or just a portion of your award balance. Payments requested by AmeriCorps members through the My AmeriCorps portal are generally accepted and certified by the registered institution within a matter of days provided that there are no issues that must be resolved prior to payment. Each payment processed is remitted within a week of certification based upon the school’s enrollment period. Each scheduled payment is released on Thursdays except for holidays. For amounts exceeding $10.00, payment is made in two equal installments; one at the beginning and one at the middle of the enrollment period, unless that period is in the past or within 10 days of the scheduled payment. Loan and interest payments are not split.

Step 9: Click Certify and Submit!

Step 10: Call Institution or Loan Provider Let them know their much desired payment is on the way. Write down the date you called and whom you spoke to in case you run into any problems further on. Call back 1 week later to make sure the payment was received. If not received, call AmeriCorps helpline (they actually are very helpful) at YOU HAVE 7 YEARS TO USE YOUR EDUCATION AWARD RIGHT NOW, YOUR EDUCATION AWARD IS TAXABLE! SEE Life After – Education Award PowerPoint for more information.