AmeriCorps Members

True North AmeriCorps (TNAC) is a State AmeriCorps program that helps prepare youth for on-time graduation and academic, civic and economic success. TNAC is a recognized leader in Minnesota’s drop-out prevention efforts, working in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education, Serve Minnesota, Minnesota Reading Corps, AmeriCorps Promise Fellows and regional and state leaders to address Minnesota’s drop-out crisis. Since 2003 over 700 TNAC members have been placed at 70 different sites throughout rural Northeastern Minnesota serving over 12,600 children.

To make a measurable difference in reducing Minnesota’s drop-out rate, TNAC’s members provide evidence-based supports to identified students in grades 4-6. TNAC focuses on three strategies: 1) academic success, 2) academic engagement, and 3) service learning.

TNAC members serve youth in both school and community-based settings. TNAC supports deep and sustainable local partnerships that increase the number of people, organizations, and resources dedicated to ensuring graduation success for all youth.

True North AmeriCorps members will:

• Increase the number of significant caring adult relationships experienced by the youth participant.
• Implement high quality in/out of school time and summer activities to support academic enrichment, study skills practice, career exploration, etc.
• Actively engage youth in meaningful service-learning or civic engagement activities
• Mobilize volunteers to promote academic success and engagement.

Benefits provided while members are serving include a modest living allowance, deferment of qualified student loans, and health and dental insurance for full-time members.  Members also take part in an extensive training program.

After successfully completing a term of service and all program requirements, AmeriCorps members who are enrolled in the National Service Trust are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Members can use your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans.

Members who are 55 and older can transfer their educational award to a child, grandchild or foster child. Members can access the award in full and part, and can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to claim the award. Read the general information on the AmeriCorps website about the Education Award.

Full-time members serving 1740 hours over the year receive the following: Modest Living Allowance (appx. $500 twice monthly/pre-tax, for an estimated $12,100 per year/pre-tax); Health/Dental Insurance; Qualified Student Loan Deferment; $5550 Education Award upon successful completion of service; ongoing, extensive support and training.

Part-time members serving 920 hours over the year receive the following: Modest Living Allowance (appx. $266.66 twice monthly/pre-tax, for an estimated $6,399.84 per year/pretax); Qualified Student Loan Deferment; $2775.00 Education Award upon successful completion of service; ongoing,
extensive support and training.