College Access & Success AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps

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College Access & Success AmeriCorps builds on the college access program, Course to College. The program provides college-access and success assistance to high school and college students in Iowa. Members are hosted in high schools, community colleges and virtually across Iowa. Positions include: college coaches, student leaders and summer transition associates.

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College Coach

AmeriCorps members serve as college coaches to provide both virtual and in-person assistance to high school and college students. These talented individuals make a difference in the lives of Iowan’s pursuing postsecondary education by helping them prepare for, enroll in, and succeed in college.

College coaches receive training on college-going steps, such as completing a college application and the FAFSA. Additionally, coaches work with Last-Dollar Scholarship recipients as they navigate college and obtain their degree or certificate.

College coach positions: Recruitment for the 2024-25 academic year begins in March 2024. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service
  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Be a citizen or a national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
  • Have a college degree or certification, or be a current college student

If you meet the above eligibility requirements and are interested in learning more, contact Liz Yaddof at elizabeth.yaddof@iowa.gov.

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Student Leader

Student leaders are AmeriCorps-funded positions filled by high school seniors that support their respective high school peers in the college-going process by offering support in the areas of Prepare, Apply, Finance, Decide, and Go. Three main events are required as part of the program: Application Day, FAFSA Completion event, and Decision Day. Each Course to College partner school can nominate 2-3 senior level students to serve their school. Leaders provide strong support to the high school counselor as they implement a college-going culture through the Course to College program at their school.

Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • Student must be 17 or older to serve.  
  • Be a citizen or a national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.

The nomination cycle for 2024-25 student leaders will begin in April 2024. Contact Danielle Sampson at Danielle.Sampson@iowa.gov with questions.

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Summer Transition Associates

Summer transition associates are high school counselors recruited to serve eight weeks during the summer to engage with students, families and communities to expand the college-going culture within the state of Iowa. Specifically, these members work to minimize summer melt through their work on FAFSA completion and assisting students and their families through the college-going process. Contact Danielle Sampson at Danielle.Sampson@iowa.gov for more information.

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What Is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at more than 21,000 locations across the country, including nonprofits, schools, public agencies and community and faith-based groups. Since the program's founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.2 billion hours in service across the United States, tackling pressing problems and mobilizing millions of volunteers.

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