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The OTA program is the ONLY Civically Engaged Department in the Salt Lake Community College.
Students will spend 150 hours or more each year in assignments requiring service learning.
Students who would like to sign up for AmeriCorp may be able to pay for college expenses as a result of being in the OTA program and the service learning assignments required. OTA students can keep this education award to later pay for continuing education for up to 7 years if no assistance with tuition is needed.
In addition to the 150 + service hours required in the OTA program, there will be other service opportunities available in the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA club) and with community partners. Many students have elected to take the 900 service hour award for 2 years and have easily completed the hours based on personal church and community service they are also involved in.
In 2008 — eleven 2nd year OTA students and seven 1st year OTA students were enrolled in this program. Between $15,000 - $20,000 has been designated to OTA students.
To receive an AmeriCorps Education Grant You will need:
1. An appointment for 1.5 hours with Lynn McCue-Hamilton — see phone # below.
2. A willingness and capability to perform 300 hours of service with a local non-profit in one calendar year.
3. Fill out time sheets and hand them in to the Thayne Center Office in a timely manner.
4. Copy of birth certificate or passport.
5. Answer reflection questions on your service experiences each month on the back of your timesheet.
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national service program initiated by President Clinton, often referred to as the “domestic Peace Corps.” AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service along with NCCC, AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps. AmeriCorps provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange for community service. Nationally, over 150,000 AmeriCorps members have helped to meet the nation’s critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs, and the environment. For more information, please visit www.americorps.org
What do AmeriCorps members do?
In the Intermountain West, the work that AmeriCorps members do is as diverse as the individuals themselves. members can serve in three different goal areas: education, public health and safety, and community strengthening.
If you are already involved in service work, school-related fieldwork, clinicals or student teaching, AmeriCorps is a natural fit.
Any student or community member who commits to completing a service term, and can answer positively to the following questions can participate:
* Are you at least seventeen years of age?
* Do you have a high school diploma or GED? If not, are you actively working to receive one of the two?
* Are you a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, and can you provide documentation?
Eligible individuals are able to enroll in two service terms with an education award in their lifetime. At this time, part-time AmeriCorps programs are weighed equally to full-time programs, and count as a full term of service. Please talk with the UCAN Coordinator on your campus for additional information.
In exchange for valuable campus-community service, AmeriCorps members receive a monetary award that can be applied to school loans or to finance undergraduate and graduate school, or vocational training. The amount of the award depends on the length of service. Colorado Campus Compact offers several lengths of service, so no matter what your schedule, completing service is manageable and fun. Education award vouchers can be used for up to seven years, and will be held in the National Trust for that maximum length of time.
The award for 900 hours of service across two years is $2,362.50. The award for 450 hours of service in one school year is $1250.00, and for 300 hours of service in one academic year is $1,000.00. You can receive two awards in a life-time.
There are four primary uses for the education award:
1. Repay qualified student loans,
2. Pay for current costs of attendance at a qualified institution of higher education,
3. Pay for expenses incurred in participating in an approved school to work program,
4. Hold on to the voucher for up to seven years and use it for future education costs, such as re-certification courses, graduate school, study abroad, etc.
Qualified student loans are loans backed by the federal government under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Some of the most common qualified student loans are:
* Stafford Loans
* Perkins Loans
* Federal Direct Loans
* Supplemental Loans for Students
* Federal Consolidated Loans
* Health Education Assistance Loans
* Health Professions Student Loans
You can use your education award in one lump sum, or split up payments as needed. The National Trust makes payments, in your name, to either lending institutions or higher education institutions and will not make a payment to a member. As with other federal assistance, campuses may pass on to students certain allowances that are included in the cost of attendance or reimburse students for certain expenses they paid out-of-pocket. Please consult with the financial aid office on your campus for more details.
Education awards are considered taxable income in the year they are used, not earned. Please consider tax issues around the education award when filing your annual taxes.
In addition to the education award, active AmeriCorps members are eligible for student loan forbearance and interest accrual payments from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
AmeriCorps Educational Grant contact is Lynne.mccue-hamilton@slcc.edu or 957-4669.
| Employment | Locations |
Salt Lake Community College - 4600 South Redwood Road - Salt Lake City, Utah 84123
(801) 957-SLCC (957-7522)