Expanding Access to Higher Education Through

Service

Presenter: Michael MeneerExecutive Director AmeriCorps Alums, Inc.

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Table of Contents

I. OverviewProject GoalAmeriCorps/AmeriCorps AlumsEducation Award

II. Case for Education Award AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student CharacteristicsFinancial Aid TrendsGrowing Service Movement

III. Recognition

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Project Goal

•To help AmeriCorps members/alumni extend the utility of the AmeriCorps Education Award

•Build and strengthen relationships with higher education institutions

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AmeriCorps

Domestic Peace Corps50,000 serve annually250,000 alumni since 1994Over 600 community-based programsModel: Community Immersion

TrainingPartnership

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AmeriCorps Alums

National Assoc. for AmeriCorps alumni, members and supporters

25,000 membersMission: Ensuring AmeriCorps is a

year in a lifetime of serviceEmphasis on education, public

sector career development and service

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Facts & Figures

82% said the education award was an important factor in joining AmeriCorps

61% applied the education award towards a BA or BS

23% towards graduate school

8% towards an associates degree

AmeriCorps Alums, Inc. Membership Survey. Fall, 2001

60% used the education award within two years

30% paid student loans

30% paid tuition and fees immediately

20% have not used the education award

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Education Award Augmentation

College/University provides a unique financial aid opportunity available for

AmeriCorps members/alumni:

To build the ethic of service on campus

To expand and diversify the student body

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Table of Contents

I. OverviewProject GoalAmeriCorps/AmeriCorps AlumsEducation Award

II. Case for Education Award AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student CharacteristicsFinancial Aid TrendsGrowing Service Movement

III. Recognition

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The Case for Augmentation

The Case for Augmentation

AmeriCorps-Student

Characteristics

Financial Aid Trends

Growing Service

Movement

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

Educational Attainment

AmeriCorps alumni are more likely to attend a college/university because they already have some degree of

college experience.

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

AmeriCorps Members

37% some college or associate

degree

Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service

Participants.” May 2001.

U.S. Population

25% some college or associate

degree

Census Bureau

Educational Attainment

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

Minority Recruitment

Augmenting the education award can serve as a tool for recruiting minority students to colleges and universities

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

AmeriCorps Class of 2000

50% are minoritiesBlack/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, 2001. P. 12

Minority Recruitment

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

Income

Augmentation provides colleges/universities the opportunity to recruit people who would be less likely to go to college.

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

AmeriCorps

34% come from households with

incomes less than $20,000

Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” May 2001.

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

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

Age

Augmentation provides colleges/universities with a vehicle to diversify their student body by recruiting non-traditional age AmeriCorps alumni

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

21%

46%

13%

10%

9%

21 or Younger

22-29

30-37

38-45

Over 45

Westat, February 1999

Age - AmeriCorps Members Age at Enrollment, Fall 2000

67%

25%

5%3%

21 or Younger

22-29

30-39

Over 40

Age - College Students

The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Almanac Issue 2001-2002.” August 31, 2001

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student Characteristics

Skills & Experiences that Make AmeriCorps Alumni More Likely to Graduate

ProactiveLeadership

Problem SolvingCommunication

Time ManagementRespect Diversity

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The Case for AugmentationAmeriCorps-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

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The Case for AugmentationFinancial 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

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Devaluation of the Education Award

Tuition Increases and InflationDevaluation of the Education Award:

Avg. Tuition & Fees vs AmeriCorps Education Award

$0

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 2001-02

School Year

Av

era

ge T

uit

ion

& F

ee

s

(Co

ns

tan

t D

oll

ars

)

Average Tuition & Fees at a 4Year Public Institution

Average Tuition & Fees at a 4Year Private Institution

AmeriCorps Education Award

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The Case for AugmentationFinancial Aid Trends

Distribution of FT/FY Dependent Undergraduates by

Family Income & Financial Need, 1995-96:

Income Less Than $35K

87%

12% 2%

Unmet Need

Total Need Met

No Need

AmeriCorps Members Overall Household Income Prior to AmeriCorps Averaged $35,000

Abt Associates. “Assessment of Long Term Impacts on Service Participants.” P. III

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The Case for AugmentationGrowing Service Movement

Growing Service Movement on Campuses Campus Compact America Reads Increased

volunteerism among young people

Colleges eager to partner to make a differences in communities

Increased attention to Federal Work Study

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Why Augment the Education Award?

AmeriCorps alumni will…Expand the size of your student bodyDiversify your student bodyContribute to the ethic of service on

your campusBring experiences and skills that will

make them more likely to graduate.

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Table of Contents

I. OverviewProject GoalAmeriCorps/AmeriCorps AlumsEducation Award

II. Case for Education Award AugmentationAmeriCorps-Student CharacteristicsFinancial Aid TrendsGrowing Service Movement

III. Recognition

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Why Augment the Education Award?

Recognition

College/University will be listed in a directory that is disseminated widely within AmeriCorps: 600 community-based programs

College/University will be chronicled in AmeriCorps Alums’ publications and presentations

College/University will be recognized in a direct e-mail to subscribers to the Alums e-bulletin: 10,000 people

1400 I Street, NW Suite 560Washington DC 20005

202-729-8180www.americorpsalums.org