Frequently Asked Questions

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General Program Questions

Project Partner Questions

LINKS AmeriCorps Member Questions

General Program Questions

How long is a term of service?
LINKS projects can be 300, 450, 675, 900 or 1700 hours in length, and can take place over a couple of months or over the course of a year.
What’s the recruitment process like?
LINKS members are usually recruited by our partner agencies, though it is possible for individuals to work with a local agency to develop a project on their own initiative. Contact information for each partner organization is located at the bottom of all of our position descriptions. Application instructions are located on the bottom of each position description and on our How To Apply page.
What are AmeriCorps members prohibited from doing while on AmeriCorps time?
AmeriCorps members are prohibited from certain activities including lobbying, political, religious, or advocacy activities during service time. While members are free to pursue these activities on their own initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, they should be careful not to associate such activities with AmeriCorps or LINKS. Questions regarding permissible activities should be directed to the program staff.
Can AmeriCorps members do fundraising?
Yes, Members may raise funds directly in support of program service activities for up to 10% of their total service time. This includes grant writing and or soliciting donations both cash and in-kind. Americorps members may not raise funds for his or her cash match or living allowance, raise funds for an organization's operating expenses or endowment or write grant applications for any funding provided by AmeriCorps or any other federal agency . Questions regarding permissible fundraising activities should be directed to the program staff.

Project Partner Questions

What is the deadline to submit project proposal?
An RFP is put out each year in mid April. proposals are due in mid May for positions starting the following Sept. through July. Check the LINKS homepage for specific dates. Contact us at 360-750-7500 ext. 114 or by email to discuss project proposals or to be placed on our outreach list.
How much does is cost to get an AmeriCorps member?
Program administration fees range from $200 to $675. Part time positions do not require a living allowance, but full time (900 and 1700 hour positions) do. Project sponsors are invoiced one month after the first orientation date.
What is the time commitment to be a project partner?
As a project partner, you, or someone at your organization, will be responsible for providing an orientation and training for the AmeriCorps member(s) on information they will need to know in order to complete tasks and assignments pertaining to your project. You, or someone in your organization, will be responsible for supervising their time, and verifying the hours they are claiming on their time logs. You, or someone in your organization, will be responsible for being available to participate in one site visit per program year with LINKS staff.
How much paperwork is involved in being a project partner?
Aside from the initial project proposal, project sponsors need to sign each AmeriCorps member’s monthly time log and fill out one* evaluation form. *Two evaluations are required for 900 and 1700 hour members.
How do I advertise my AmeriCorps position(s)?
We post all of our positions on our website. In addition, we have created a information packet that is full of tips for recruiting your LINKS members.
When will you bill us?
Project sponsors are invoiced one month after the first orientation date.

LINKS AmeriCorps Member Questions

What is the deadline to submit an AmeriCorps member application?
There is no application deadline for AmeriCorps members in this program. The positions are filled as the best match is found throughout the year.
What happens if I can’t make it to the AmeriCorps orientation?
You cannot start counting hours towards your AmeriCorps service until you have gone through the mandatory new member orientation. If you missed the orientation scheduled with your service site, you must make arrangements to reschedule before any of your volunteer hours can be counted.
Are my student loans eligible for forbearance or deferment while I am in AmeriCorps?
You may be eligible for forbearance of your qualified student loans while you are serving with LINKS. During a period of forbearance, you do not have to make payments, although interest continues to accumulate.

To register with the on-line My AmeriCorps:
1. Access the system through the AmeriCorps.gov website;
2. Click on the link to “ My AmeriCorps ” either from the AmeriCorps.gov home page or the NCCC, AmeriCorps State , AmeriCorps National or VISTA home pages.
3. In the login box, click the “Register as a new user” button;

If your loan qualifies for forbearance, AmeriCorps, through the National Service Trust, will pay all or a portion of the interest that accrued on your qualified student loan during your term of service.  This amount is in addition to your education award.
What is the minimum number of hours I will need to serve in order to complete my service term?
The minimum number of hours* you would need to average per month in order to successfully complete your service term would be 26 for a 300 hour term, 38 for a 450 hour term, 57 for a 675 hour term, 76 for a 900 term and 144 for a 1700 hour term. *Numbers based on program required audit buffer.
How often and where do I submit my paperwork?
As a federally funded program we do have our share of paperwork. Below is a synopsis of LINKS paperwork. Please contact us for more details. You can download all of these forms from our site.
  • Enrollment forms are due at member orientation (applicants must fully complete these forms within 30 days to be eligible to participate in the LINKS program).
  • Time logs are due on the first Friday of each month. They detail your day-today activities and need to have an original signature from your site supervisor in order to be counted.
  • Evaluation forms both the supervisor and member(s) complete and submit an evaluation mid-way through the service term.
  • Exit forms are due within 30 days of completing a term of service. (Applicants are not eligible to receive their Ed Award until all paperwork, including exit forms is received by LINKS).
What benefits will I receive as an AmeriCorps member?
If something comes up on my background check, will I automatically be disqualified?
Having something on your record does not automatically disqualify you from participating. If the nature of the crime was violent or caused harm to a minor, you may be disqualified. However, if your background check reveals a conviction that you did not disclose to us in your AmeriCorps application, you may be released from the program. If you have specific questions, or would like to discuss your situation in confidence, please contact us.
What activities qualify as “development” on my time log?
Activities members can log as development hours include: workshops, trainings and classes (All workshops, trainings and classes must be related to the AmeriCorps goals of environment, education, public safety and other human needs); job shadows; and, developing a resume or cover letter. Activities members cannot log as development hours include:recreational activities (i.e. canoeing, backpacking, skiing); creative expression and personal health-based activities (i.e. yoga, music, dance, painting); crafts (i.e. sewing, woodcarving, etc.); for college/university students, classes or courses that are part of your regular academic program (i.e. classes that you would be taking regardless of whether or not you were participating as an AmeriCorps member); and activities with a religious, activist or private organization (except for job shadows). Need more information on member development? Check out our info sheet or contact us for more details.
Once I start, can I increase or decrease the number of hours in my term of service?
No. Once you are enrolled, the number of hours of your service term cannot be changed. Regardless of how many additional hours you may serve, you will receive the ed award that correlates the amount of hours of your original service term.
Can I serve at more than one organization?
In some cases you can have more than one service site. The situations vary, so please contact us for more information.
How can I get AmeriCorps hours for my internship or service-learning class time?
Internships with schools, community-based organizations and local government agencies that address critical unmet community needs can be counted AmeriCorps. Both you and your host agency will need to submit applications to our program. Once accepted, your host agency will become a project partner and you will become an AmeriCorps member.
Since each class has its own characteristics, it is best to check in with our staff to see if your class will qualify.
How can I get Federal Work Study money for my AmeriCorps time?
If your Federal Work Study position has you working to benefit the larger community (not just your school’s community) in the areas of the environment, education, public safety or other human needs, you may be able to count these hours towards your AmeriCorps term of service. Contact us for more information.
Can I count drive time on my time log?
If your position requires you to drive from your site’s headquarters to another location for your service, drive time may be counted. Commute time to and from your site cannot be counted.
I don’t think I’ll have enough hours at my project site- how can I get more hours?
To get additional hours, you can volunteer with any non-profit (501c-3), school or government agency as long as the work you are doing falls under the service areas of the environment, education, public safety, or other human needs. Send us an email that states why you are doing this, as some restrictions may apply.
I volunteer regularly outside of my project site- can I count these hours?
To get additional hours, you can volunteer with any non-profit (501c-3), school or government agency as long as the service you are doing falls under the service areas of the environment, education, public safety, or other human needs. Send us an email that states why you are doing this, as some restrictions may apply.
Can I count my volunteer time in a different state or country toward my AmeriCorps term?
You may be able to count your volunteer time while in another state only if it is one of the states in our grant. See program staff for details.
Can I count volunteer time with my church or another faith-based organization?
You may serve with any faith-based organization as long as your service does not include: religious instruction, promotion, conducting worship services, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.
What do I do if have a conflict at my service site or with LINKS? Or, what do I do if I want to file a grievance?
LINKS is committed to the quality of service experience each member receives. Every attempt is made to assist members in settling problems related to their AmeriCorps service experience. If you are are having a conflict, please contact us or you can follow our grievance procedures.
What if I get really sick, have a military obligation or have a long-term family emergency, what can I do about my service term?
You may be released from your term of service or you may put your service term into suspension for reasons of compelling personal circumstances. Contact us for more details.
Am I eligible for Jury duty during my term of service?
AmeriCorps members selected to serve as jurors continue to accrue service hours and continue to receive all benefits, including living allowance (if applicable), regardless of any reimbursement received from the court.
How will I know when I have completed all of my hours?
Members are encouraged to keep photocopies of their time logs and track their progress toward completion of their hours. LINKS staff may send periodic updates and will be in touch toward the end of your term of service with next steps.
Where can I find out more about ed awards?
You can find out more about how the ed award can be used and other information such as: amount, eligibility, and limitations; loan postponements, interest payments, and financial aid; tax implications; frequently asked questions; and check your account balance by visiting the National Service Trust.
How much of my student loan interest is paid when my loans are in forbearance during my term of service?
The percentage of accruing interest that may be paid by the Trust while your student loans are in forbearance is proportional to the percentage of a full time service term (1700 hours/year) you are completing. The interest is paid only when you have successfully completed your term of service, and is retro-active to your service start date.
When will I be eligible to receive my ed award?
All of your paperwork including your exit form must be submitted to our office before you will be eligible to receive your ed award. Once we have received all of your paperwork we submit it to the National Service Trust in Washington DC.
How do I indicate where I would like to have my ed award sent?
The National Service Trust will send your ed award to the address you put on your exit form.
How long will it take to get my ed award?
Usually it will take a few weeks from the date we submit your paperwork to the National Service Trust to get your ed award. However, the length of time it takes to access your Ed award depends greatly on how quickly you return all your completed exit forms. Even if you get all paperwork turned in immediately, you can expect a processing time of at least 4 weeks.
What are my options for serving a 3rd term of service?
You can serve a maximum of two terms of service as an AmeriCorps member, and likewise can receive a maximum of two education awards (regardless of the amount of hours in your term, or the dollar amount of your education award). You may serve a third term of National Service through another National Service program. Find out more »
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