The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (often shortened to “Education Award,” or “Ed Award”) is a post-service benefit that AmeriCorps members receive after successfully completing a term of national service. This includes service through AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, and AmeriCorps State and National programs. Named in honor of Eli Segal, a key figure in the national service movement and the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the award recognizes the contributions of AmeriCorps members to their communities and the nation.
Upon successful completion of their service, AmeriCorps alums are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to cover the cost of attendance at qualified post-secondary educational institutions or to repay qualified student loans.
The amount of the award is linked to the maximum Pell Grant amount for the year, meaning it may change annually. As of now, members can earn up to the value of two full-time Education Awards throughout their service with AmeriCorps. Additionally, recipients have seven years from the date they earned the award to use it.
Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagements Segal AmeriCorps Educations Award Matching Program
In November 2014, MTCC’s board voted to match the AmeriCorps Education award up to a certain limit. Below are the MTCC affiliate campuses with formalized commitments as Schools of National Service. Please note that these matches are for current, active students. To learn more, read the following: Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Matching Guidance.
The following MCNCE campuses have formalized agreements to match the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Carroll College will provide a match of up to $2,000 per student award
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 447-5425
Flathead Valley Community College will provide up to five matches of up to $1,000 per Education Award.
Contact Information: Crystal Morris, Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid | (406) 756-3843
Fort Peck Community College will match at least one Education Award with $1,000 per AmeriCorps Education Award. Additional requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Information: Lanette Clark, Financial Aid Office
L.Clark@fpcc.edu | 406-768-6372
Helena College will award two $1000 matching scholarships annually.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 447-6916
Miles Community College will provide up to two matches of up to $1,000 per education award for all Miles Community College credit-bearing programs.
Contact information: Richard DeShields, Dean of Student Engagement & Auxiliary Services
deshieldsr@milescc.edu | (406) 874-6226
Montana State University will provide a $1000 match to up to 40 students annually. Priority will be given to Montana residents that demonstrate financial need. Matches are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 994-2845
MSU Billings will commit to match $1,000 matches annually.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 657-1789
MSU Northern will commit to match $1000 tuition waiver for one year over two semesters.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 265-3787
Montana Tech will match up to three individual Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards at $1000.00 each per academic year. The total match commitment per academic year is $3,000.00. The match will be a tuition waiver of up to $1000.00 per student per year, $500 per semester.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 496-4223
The University of Montana will provide $1000 matches to AmeriCorps alums using the Education Awards, not to exceed the cost of tuition the student is paying. The $1,000.00 match may not be combined with any other UM Scholarship.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 243-4218
The University of Montana Western will match up to three (3) individual Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards at $1000.00 each per academic year. Total match commitment per academic year is $3,000.00. Match will be in the form of tuition waiver up to $1000 per student per year.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid | (406) 683-7511
AmeriCorps alums seeking to leverage a campus match for their Education Award should work with their campus’s financial aid office to have the match applied. Each campus has individual rules and exclusions about how its match is applied, and matches are not guaranteed.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about how you can get involved with our programs and initiatives, we encourage you to reach out to us at info@mtengage.org. Whether you’re interested in upcoming events, seeking resources, or exploring opportunities for collaboration, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re excited to connect with you and support your journey in civic and community engagement.