AmeriCorps NCCC - Summer 2020
Donation protected
Hi, everyone! My name is Shawn.
For the past few months I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching and researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities. While I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, my aim was to see if there was anything out there for which I was eligible that could help pay for tuition. I learned through my research about education awards associated with volunteer work, and upon further investigation found out about AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs who assist with critical community needs such as increasing academic achievement, fighting poverty, and preparing for disasters. Members serve for 10 to 12 months, giving their time and skills to helping build a better community. I was surprised to find that, in addition to the appealing offer of financial aid for college, the idea of travelling the country and volunteering in local communities not only seemed doable but was rather exciting. I continued to investigate exactly what AmeriCorps is and what its members are expected to do, and about a month ago I put in my application.
I received some correspondence over the next couple weeks through email with the recruitment office of AmeriCorps, answered some eligibility questions, and was ultimately told to keep an eye on my email over the next six months to a year. There are a lot of applicants each year and an acceptance rate of only about 15%, and even if you are selected, it could be months to a year before you’re invited to join a team.
Imagine my surprise when I received an acceptance email only about a week later with an invitation to one of the four regional campuses to join a team and start my training. I’m excited to announce that on June 22, 2020, I will be travelling to the Southwest region campus in Aurora, Colorado to complete my training and kickstart my 10 month assignment, during which time I will be travelling throughout the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, serving on a team of 10 to 12 members to complete service projects in the region.
While I am SO excited for this opportunity, I never expected to be leaving so soon. My goal when I submitted my application was to save up at least $4,000 before I left. This would cover a portion of my recurring bills (mortgage, utilities, phone, internet, etc.), my car insurance payments, and student loan payments in the 10 months I will be gone. Because my application was fast tracked, instead of having potentially an entire year to save up, I only have about four months. I am doing everything I can to save as much as I can before I leave.
It would mean so much if you would support me financially as I prepare for this time in my life.
Thank you all so much for your support!
For the past few months I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching and researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities. While I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, my aim was to see if there was anything out there for which I was eligible that could help pay for tuition. I learned through my research about education awards associated with volunteer work, and upon further investigation found out about AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs who assist with critical community needs such as increasing academic achievement, fighting poverty, and preparing for disasters. Members serve for 10 to 12 months, giving their time and skills to helping build a better community. I was surprised to find that, in addition to the appealing offer of financial aid for college, the idea of travelling the country and volunteering in local communities not only seemed doable but was rather exciting. I continued to investigate exactly what AmeriCorps is and what its members are expected to do, and about a month ago I put in my application.
I received some correspondence over the next couple weeks through email with the recruitment office of AmeriCorps, answered some eligibility questions, and was ultimately told to keep an eye on my email over the next six months to a year. There are a lot of applicants each year and an acceptance rate of only about 15%, and even if you are selected, it could be months to a year before you’re invited to join a team.
Imagine my surprise when I received an acceptance email only about a week later with an invitation to one of the four regional campuses to join a team and start my training. I’m excited to announce that on June 22, 2020, I will be travelling to the Southwest region campus in Aurora, Colorado to complete my training and kickstart my 10 month assignment, during which time I will be travelling throughout the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, serving on a team of 10 to 12 members to complete service projects in the region.
While I am SO excited for this opportunity, I never expected to be leaving so soon. My goal when I submitted my application was to save up at least $4,000 before I left. This would cover a portion of my recurring bills (mortgage, utilities, phone, internet, etc.), my car insurance payments, and student loan payments in the 10 months I will be gone. Because my application was fast tracked, instead of having potentially an entire year to save up, I only have about four months. I am doing everything I can to save as much as I can before I leave.
It would mean so much if you would support me financially as I prepare for this time in my life.
Thank you all so much for your support!
Organizer
Shawn Cormier
Organizer
Cayce, SC