Beginning in 2021, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will provide new benefits to incoming students in undergraduate and graduate programs who are AmeriCorps alumni. Nebraska will be the first university in the state named as a School of National Service for its commitment to AmeriCorps alumni.

Benefits being offered include a minimum of one $1,000 scholarship to incoming undergraduate AmeriCorps alumni as well as a minimum of three $1,500 scholarships for incoming graduate AmeriCorps alumni and a waiver of the application fee for all graduate applicants to the Graduate School.

“We recognize the contributions current and future Nebraskans make through AmeriCorps service and want to encourage AmeriCorps alumni to join our Husker family,” said Justin Chase Brown, director of scholarships and financial aid at Nebraska. “These students play important roles in our community — engaging with Nebraska leaders, cultivating relationships with our diverse incoming students and continuing to serve and lead while pursuing higher education.”

For more information regarding these benefits, please visit the AmeriCorps website.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has a long commitment to service and civic engagement, making it a clear choice for service-minded students such as AmeriCorps alumni.

“More than 50 Recognized Student Organizations on the UNL campus identify service as their main purpose, providing AmeriCorps alumni many varied opportunities to continue their service and leadership journey,” Brown said.

After completing their service, AmeriCorps members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay educational expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools and G.I. Bill-approved programs, or to repay qualified student loans. The education award is equal to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education Pell Grant, currently approximately $6,400. Since 1994, AmeriCorps alumni have earned more than $4 billion in education awards, using $1 billion to repay student debt.

AmeriCorps alumni are students with experience, leadership skills, problem-solving experience and a commitment to civic engagement. Schools of National Service connects these leaders with higher-education institutions that seek to recognize those qualities and honor the service they’ve provided to their community and country. By participating in the program, colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions benefit by attracting AmeriCorps alumni to enroll in their institutions.