 ORCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Program
 Member Frequently Asked Questions
What is VISTA? What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that provide opportunities for service through partnerships with nonprofit groups. AmeriCorps*VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps designed specifically to fight poverty. ORCC Summer VISTA Corps Members will be AmeriCorps*VISTA Summer Associates.
What will ORCC Summer VISTA Corps Members do?
Members will serve for 10 weeks this summer in programs that aim to prepare at-risk 9th graders for a successful transition into high school. Members will serve as Program Assistants, providing academic support (tutoring), general program support at their placement sites, and/or organizing college and career visits for participants.
All Summer Associates will attend a Pre-Service Orientation on Thursday, June 11th and Friday, June 12th from 9-4:00pm.
These full-time positions will start on June 15th.
Summer Associate Position Description
Where will they serve?
Members will serve individually or in teams of 2-3 at schools and non-profits across the Portland metro area. Oregon Campus Compact is working with the Portland Schools Foundation Ninth Grade Counts program to identify established and high-quality programs at which to place Members.
The Placement Sites
Who should apply to be a Member?
We are looking for Members who would make great role models for rising 9th graders.
In addition, Members must be:
- at least 18 years of age,
- US Citizens, or National or Legal Residents,
- able to commit to serve on a full-time basis for the full term,
- and not be listed in the National Sex Offenders Public Registry.
Experience working with children or youth is a definite plus! For more specific information on required and preferred qualifications, please see the position description.
Is there relocation assistance?
Due to the short nature of this program, there is not relocation assistance available.
Is this a job?
As national service participants, Members will be volunteers, not employees. Members receive a modest living allowance. It will not make one rich, but most VISTA Members have found it covers basic expenses.
During their term of service, VISTA Members are not allowed to hold a job or enroll in courses. Some coursework may be approved for students receiving Pell Grants.
What are the benefits of service?
Summer Associates will receive: |
Summer Associates will not receive: |
- A living stipend of $399 bi-weekly (pre-tax)
- A $1,000 Education Award or $200 monetary award
- On-site orientation and training
- Access to the AmeriCorps Alumni network and online community
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- Health benefits
- Childcare
- Personal leave time
- Relocation allowance
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Stipend
- Amount: Summer Associates will receive a stipend of approximately $399 before federal taxes deposited biweekly (i.e. they will receive this amount of money every two weeks).
- Direct Deposit: Stipends will be delivered by direct deposit in the Associates’ bank account.
- Deposit Schedule: Associates will receive their first stipend on June 29. This deposit will not be for the full $399, as it will be for the period from June 10 (before Summer Associates begin service) through June 23. For more information, please see the Living Stipend Schedule on our website.
Please contact us if you have questions.
How can interested candidates apply?
Submit an online application through the national AmeriCorps website.
Can I take classes during the summer or get academic credit for my service?
Academic Enrollment and Credit for Service
- Educational Courses: Full-time enrollment is prohibited. Part-time enrollment is prohibited unless enrollment is required for Pell Grant eligibility (see below).
- Pell Grant: If an Associate is a current recipient of the Pell Grant and has already enrolled for summer classes, he or she will be allowed to take those classes as long as s/he is taking no more than 6 credit hours and the class times do not conflict with his/her service schedule. If you have not already enrolled in classes and believe that summer enrollment is required to maintain your Pell Grant eligibility, please speak to your financial aid office and then contact us. All summer academic coursework must be approved, in writing, by Oregon Campus Compact.
- Credit for Service: A faculty member may choose to grant academic credit for a Summer Associate’s service. However, unless enrollment is required for Pell Grant eligibility, Summer Associates will not be able to enroll in any course during their service term, even if that course consists only of the service which they are performing.
Participation in other AmeriCorps or National Service Program
- Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment (being enrolled in two AmeriCorps or other Corporation for National and Community Service Programs at the same time) is prohibited.
- Lifetime Maximum: Currently, an individual can serve up to three terms and receive two education awards as a national service member. Service as a Summer Associate will count as one of those terms.
- For Students-In-Service Members Only: If a Summer VISTA Associate has participated in the Students-In-Service (SIS) program with ORCC, s/he must have completed the hours for their most recent term and be exited, before the beginning of his/her service term as a Summer Associate.
Students-In-Service terms also count towards the lifetime education award maximum. If an individual serves for a term in the Students-In-Service program and then serves a term as Summer Associate, he or she will be able to serve one more term as a national service member.
If an individual serves for a term in Students-In-Service and receives an Education Award, and then serves as a Summer Associate and elects to receive an Education Award, he or she will not be eligible to receive another Education Award from any national service program. A Member may only receive two education awards during their three terms.
Education Award
- Lifetime Maximum: At this time, an individual can receive up to two Education Awards in his or her lifetime. Education Awards are granted to members of other national service programs in addition to AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Summer Associates who are planning on serving two additional terms in a national service program may want to opt for the monetary award instead of the Education Award. At this time, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members who serve for a full-time for a year receive Education Awards of $4,725.
How Can I use the Education Award?
Click here for a great tutorial on the AmeriCorps Education Award.
What is Oregon Campus Compact?
Oregon Campus Compact is an organization dedicated to promoting service-learning, civic engagement, and community service on college and university campuses across the state of Oregon.
A partnership with AmeriCorps allows us to provide VISTA positions to eligible candidates. Oregon Campus Compact will oversee the recruitment and selection process for Members, provide the Members with pre-service training, and provide on-going support to potential and selected Members during the recruitment process and throughout the Members' service terms.
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