Turn your Segal Education Award into a global adventure with International Volunteer HQ.
Make the Most of Your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Have you completed a service term with AmeriCorps? Congratulations, and thank you for your service.
Now that your service is over, did you know the Education Award gives alumni up to USD 7,395 to use towards funding higher education opportunities? You can use it to pay off existing student loans, or you can use it towards new educational pursuits.
Why not use your Segal Award to fund an international adventure? Your award can be used for educational opportunities outside of the USA.
Quick links:
- What’s Covered by your Segal Education Award
- Why use your Education Award to Travel Abroad?
- How it Works
- Travel Solo, With Your Family, or Join a Group
- Start Your Journey Today
- Contact us
- FAQs
What’s Covered by your Segal Education Award
- Registration and Program Fees (which includes accommodation, meals, airport transportation, volunteer placement, and comprehensive in-country support);
- Enrollment and academic credit costs through our School of Record partner, Warren Wilson College;
- Learning opportunities offered by IVHQ (cultural tours and excursions, language lessons, SCUBA certification, TEFL, and more);
- Travel expenses (travel insurance, flights, or passport fees).
Why use your Education Award to Travel Abroad?
Using your Segal Education Award to travel abroad offers a unique opportunity to experience a new culture, gain new perspectives, step outside your comfort zone, fuel your passion for service, and make meaningful connections.
With over 500 volunteer and internship placements across 50+ destinations, we offer opportunities in some of the world’s most incredible, and bucket-list-worthy destinations. If you’ve been dreaming of exploring a new country, but haven’t had the budget to make it happen, this could be your chance!
How it works
We can help you use your Segal Education Award on an all-expenses paid international experience. We'll take care of securing your placement, organizing accommodation and meals, organizing your required coursework, excursions, and more. All you need to do is get yourself to your chosen destination and submit your Education Award payment requests to cover the costs. We'll handle all of the in-country planning, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure!
Travel Solo, With Your Family, or Join a Group
Our team is here to help you make the most of your Segal Education Award. Whether you want to travel solo, with your family, or join a study abroad group, we can guide you on how to make it happen. Your Education Award can only cover your costs, but all are welcome to join our programs if you want to bring someone else along!
Start Your Journey Today
Thank you for your service as an AmeriCorps member, and we hope to support you in continuing your commitment to service on a global scale. Your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award can unlock incredible opportunities. Use it to fund a global adventure that gives back, builds your skills, and creates memories to last a lifetime.
Contact us
Looking for more information? We’re here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply your Segal Education Award toward future education costs at a Title IV institution or repaying student loans. You can also use your award for other opportunities, like traveling internationally with us! Reach out to our team, so we can talk you through how to make this happen.
The enrollment and academic credit fees through Warren Wilson College start at $2599 USD for up to 5 credits. The remaining balance of your Education Award can go towards:
- Registration and Program Fees (which includes accommodation, meals, airport transportation, volunteer placement, and 24/7 in-country support)
- Travel expenses (travel insurance, flights, or passport fees)
- Learning opportunities and add-ons (cultural tours and excursions, language lessons, SCUBA certification, accommodation upgrades, and more).
How much of your trip is covered will vary depending on your chosen destination, project, duration, number of academic credits, add-ons, and the amount of funding you have available. With a full term Education Award, you could travel for one week up to six months!
Yes. AmeriCorps alumni are enrolled as non-degree seeking students at Warren Wilson College to access their Education Award. To do so, you must pursue academic credit. All students will receive a transcript at the end of their international experience. If assignments are not submitted, you will receive a failing grade and it may impact your ability to use remaining Education Award funds on a future trip.
Yes! Students are eligible to take the same course two times. If you have two Education Awards, you can plan more than one international experience with us.
Yes! We encourage you to invite others along to enjoy the experience together. We offer family-friendly experiences in destinations like Costa Rica, South Africa, and Peru. From wildlife conservation to community development, our programs are designed to create meaningful experiences for all ages. We also offer flexible accommodation options to suit your family’s needs. Your Education Award can only be used to cover your costs, but others are welcome to join you.
We even have a dedicated Group Support team if you want to organize 8 or more AmeriCorps alumni to participate as a group.
Yes! If you want to visit more than one destination, you can without paying the academic credit and enrollment fee again - as long as it’s on the same trip. You will need to submit a second Registration Fee or Deposit, however.
We offer flexible Registration Fee and Deposit options that are refundable and risk free. Simply select those options when submitting your initial payment. If you want your flights to be reimbursed but are nervous to book, you can wait until after your initial Education Award payments come through.
We recommend that you get started on the process at least 3-4 months before your program start date, and you can book a trip 12 months in advance. If your Education Award is expiring, you can request your funds now for future travel. If you haven’t received the Award yet, you can still apply and get started on Steps 1-3. Once your Education Award is available, you can submit the Payment Request through AmeriCorps.
Yes! As long as you are eligible to transfer your award, your dependent can use it with our programs. We even have volunteer opportunities available for teens! If you have two Education Awards available, you could even travel together.
