Expanding Access to Higher Education Through Service Presenter: Michael Meneer Executive DirectorAmeriCorps Alums, Inc.

2 Table of Contents I.Overview Project Goal AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps Alums Education Award II.Case for Education Award Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Financial Aid Trends Growing Service Movement III.Recognition

3 Project Goal To help AmeriCorps members/alumni extend the utility of the AmeriCorps Education Award Build and strengthen relationships with higher education institutions

4 AmeriCorps zDomestic Peace Corps z50,000 serve annually z250,000 alumni since 1994 zOver 600 community-based programs zModel: Community Immersion Training Partnership

5 AmeriCorps Alums zNational Assoc. for AmeriCorps alumni, members and supporters z25,000 members zMission: Ensuring AmeriCorps is a year in a lifetime of service zEmphasis on education, public sector career development and service

6 Facts & Figures z 82% said the education award was an important factor in joining AmeriCorps z 61% applied the education award towards a BA or BS z 23% towards graduate school z 8% towards an associates degree AmeriCorps Alums, Inc. Membership Survey. Fall, 2001 z 60% used the education award within two years z 30% paid student loans z 30% paid tuition and fees immediately z 20% have not used the education award

7 Education Award Augmentation College/University provides a unique financial aid opportunity available for AmeriCorps members/alumni: zTo build the ethic of service on campus zTo expand and diversify the student body

8 Table of Contents I.Overview Project Goal AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps Alums Education Award II.Case for Education Award Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Financial Aid Trends Growing Service Movement III.Recognition

9 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps- Student Characteristics Financial Aid Trends Growing Service Movement

10 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Educational Attainment AmeriCorps alumni are more likely to attend a college/university because they already have some degree of college experience.

11 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics AmeriCorps Members 37% some college or associate degree Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” May U.S. Population 25% some college or associate degree Census Bureau Educational Attainment

12 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Minority Recruitment Augmenting the education award can serve as a tool for recruiting minority students to colleges and universities

13 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics AmeriCorps Class of % are minorities Black/AA: 26% Hispanic/Latino: 15% Native Amer.: 3% Asian: 2% Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” P. III Minorities in Higher Education Public 4 Year: 25.1% Private 4 Year: 24.2% The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Almanac Issue 2001—2002.” August 31, P. 12 Minority Recruitment

14 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Income Augmentation provides colleges/universities the opportunity to recruit people who would be less likely to go to college.

15 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics AmeriCorps 34% come from households with incomes less than $20,000 Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” May College Students 9 % come from households with incomes less than $20,000 The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Almanac Issue 2001—2002.” August 31, 2001 Income

16 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Age Augmentation provides colleges/universities with a vehicle to diversify their student body by recruiting non-traditional age AmeriCorps alumni

17 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics 21% 46% 13% 10% 9% 21 or Younger Over 45 Westat, February 1999 Age - AmeriCorps Members Age at Enrollment, Fall % 25% 5% 3% 21 or Younger Over 40 Age - College Students The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Almanac Issue ” August 31, 2001

18 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Skills & Experiences that Make AmeriCorps Alumni More Likely to Graduate Proactive Leadership Problem Solving Communication Time Management Respect Diversity

19 The Case for Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics AmeriCorps Members 70% Keep informed about local/national news Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” P. 23 College Students 28% Interested in keeping up to date with political affairs Higher Education Research Institute. “An Overview of the 2000 Freshman Norms.” UCLA Civic Engagement

20 The Case for Augmentation Financial Aid Trends Several factors contribute to a significant devaluation of the purchasing power of the AmeriCorps Education Award Rising unmet need Inflation Rising Tuition Costs

21 Devaluation of the Education Award Tuition Increases and Inflation

22 The Case for Augmentation Financial Aid Trends AmeriCorps Members Overall Household Income Prior to AmeriCorps Averaged $35,000 Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” P. III

23 The Case for Augmentation Growing Service Movement zGrowing Service Movement on Campuses yCampus Compact yAmerica Reads yIncreased volunteerism among young people z Colleges eager to partner to make a differences in communities z Increased attention to Federal Work Study

24 Why Augment the Education Award? AmeriCorps alumni will… zExpand the size of your student body zDiversify your student body zContribute to the ethic of service on your campus zBring experiences and skills that will make them more likely to graduate.

25 Table of Contents I.Overview Project Goal AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps Alums Education Award II.Case for Education Award Augmentation AmeriCorps-Student Characteristics Financial Aid Trends Growing Service Movement III.Recognition

26 Why Augment the Education Award? Recognition zCollege/University will be listed in a directory that is disseminated widely within AmeriCorps: 600 community- based programs zCollege/University will be chronicled in AmeriCorps Alums’ publications and presentations zCollege/University will be recognized in a direct to subscribers to the Alums e-bulletin: 10,000 people

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