Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the requirements for the Notre Dame-AmeriCorps (NDA) program? Do I have to be Catholic to join the program?
   
2. How long is my commitment as an NDA member? What will my day-to-day schedule typically look like?
   
3. What benefits will I receive as an NDA member?
   
4. What is covered under my health insurance plan? Is there a deductible? What about prescriptions?
   
5. If I relocate from my home to my new NDA service site, will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?
   
6. Is housing provided for me, or is this my responsibility?
   
7. What kind of training do members receive?
   
8. How does the education award work? What can it be used for?
   
9. Is it possible to defer my student loans during my AmeriCorps service?
   
10. Am I allowed to have a part-time job and/or take college courses part-time during my year of service with NDA?
    
11. What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? How is it different from service as an NDA member?
    
12. Can I join Notre Dame-AmeriCorps if I am not a US citizen?
    
13. Do I need to send in all my application materials together?
    

What are the requirements of the Notre Dame-AmeriCorps (NDA) program? Do I have to be Catholic to join the program?
We accept and encourage applications from women and men, both single and married, ages 21 and older, who have a college education and/or work experience. NDA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation when considering applications.

How long is my commitment as a Notre Dame-AmeriCorps member? What will my day-to-day schedule typically look like?
Notre Dame-AmeriCorps members serve for 11 months, from September 1 – August 1. In order to be eligible for the education award, members must complete 1700 hours of service, which works out to about 40 hours per week. (Members can also earn hours by volunteering with other organizations and/or projects during their free time. (e.g. evenings and weekends)) A member's service commitment is from September 1 - August 1, not simply for 1700 hours. Members who complete their hours early are still expected to serve through August 1. Members serving in schools will most likely have a schedule that coincides with the school day, while members serving in a community center, for example, may have a more varied schedule.

What benefits will I receive as an NDA member?
NDA members are provided with a taxable living allowance ($11,100 in 2007-2008), which is distributed by site directors biweekly, and health insurance. Childcare is available for members who may need it. Members also receive an education award of $4725 (before taxes) after completing 1700 hours of service, which may be applied to qualified loans or future education at any Title IV institution.

What is covered under my health insurance plan? Is there a deductible? What about prescriptions?
For direct service members, the AmeriCorps Health Care Plan I allows you to use the doctor and/or hospital of your choice, and it covers 80% of diagnosis fees, hospital charges, lab and x-ray examinations, and emergency ambulance service. Your coverage is active when you enroll with NDA at the September orientation, and you will have the option to continue your coverage after you are no longer an NDA member. The plan does not include dental benefits. There is $100 per-year deductible for benefits. Members pay upfront for prescriptions and are reimbursed for 50% of the prescription cost. *VISTA volunteers are insured directly by the government; e-mail the national office with questions.

If I relocate from my home to my new NDA service site, will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?
If you join NDA as a *VISTA member, AmeriCorps*VISTA will pay for your travel expenses. However, as a regular NDA member, you will be responsible for transportation to your site at the beginning of the year and back home when the year is over. The NDA program will pay for transportation for members to and from the September orientation, the February midyear retreat, and any other workshops held throughout the year.

Is housing provided for me, or is this my responsibility?
Where possible, we offer the option of community living for members in their twenties who are looking to integrate their spiritual beliefs with their service in a supportive environment. Community living is not available in every city. In most cases, the site director can provide some guidance to members looking for housing in a new city, but housing is not guaranteed or available at every site. Community support is available throughout the year. For more information, please visit our community living page.

What kind of training do members receive?
Our program kicks off each September with a one-week orientation. This initial orientation is conducted in an atmosphere of friendship, fellowship, and learning, and members have the opportunity to participate in various workshops geared toward training and orientation. Past orientation workshops have included Classroom Management for Kids, Teaching the Adult Student, Conflict Resolution, and Team Building & Ethic of Service. Once the member arrives at his or her site, site directors provide additional training and supervision and keep members informed on opportunities for further training. In addition to the September orientation, there is a midyear retreat in February, and workshops are offered throughout the service year.

How does the education award work? What can it be used for?
Upon completing your 1700 hours of service with NDA, you will receive an education award of $4725 that can be used to repay student loans and/or attend any Title IV institution. You will be taxed on the education award in the year that you use it. The award is good for up to seven years after you receive it, and you can earn up to two awards. For more information, please visit the education award page at the AmeriCorps website.

Is it possible to defer my student loans during my AmeriCorps service?
By filling out a form provided at the September orientation, you may request loan forbearance for your student loans. You will not have to make payments during your period of forbearance, although interest continues to accumulate on your loans. Provided that you complete your 1700 hours of service, AmeriCorps will pay any interest that accrued during your service. (This amount is in addition to your education award.)

Am I allowed to have a part-time job and/or take college courses part-time during my year of service with NDA?
While AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not allowed to have a part-time job or take classes during their year of service, NDA members do have these options. This is obviously a personal choice for each member, but it should also be discussed with and approved by your site director. No matter what you do with your free time, remember that the quality of your service as an NDA member is most important, and you should take this factor into consideration in making any scheduling choices.

What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? How is it different from service as an NDA member?
AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve through private organizations and public nonprofit agencies (like NDA), addressing issues related to poverty – such as public health education, the environment, public safety, and employment - by helping to build programs that create long-term sustainable benefits for disadvantaged communities. In other words, *VISTA members work behind the scenes to make programs like NDA function more efficiently and effectively, while NDA members do direct service in the schools and community centers of disadvantaged communities. To learn more about the *VISTA positions in the NDA National Office, visit our positions description page. To learn more about *VISTA in general, visit the AmeriCorps site.

Can I join Notre Dame-AmeriCorps if I am not a US citizen?
In order to be an AmeriCorps member, you must be a US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the US. However, you may be able to join our program as a Notre Dame Mission Volunteer. You would not be eligible for some benefits (available only to AmeriCorps members), but you may still have the opportunity to give a year of your life to serving others. Please contact us if you would like to know more about the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer program.

Do I need to send in all my application materials together?
No, you do not need to send all your application materials together in one envelope. We understand the college transcript and criminal background checks usually take a few weeks to process. If you have your AmeriCorps application and supplemental NDA application finished, you may send these in separate from your college transcript and criminal background check. We will need your criminal background check and college transcript before we can make a final placement, but can begin the interview process in the meantime. Reference forms can be sent directly to our office or with the rest of your application. Note: you are welcome to email your NDA application as an attachment to evanoeveren@ndmva.org and call or email with questions.

Notre Dame Mission Volunteers - AmeriCorps
403 Markland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone:(410) 532-6864 - Fax: (410) 532-2418

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