ADVANCE AmeriCorps Student Program

Do you want to be a mentor? Announcing the new NC-ACTS! Program, called ADVANCE!

Earn an AmeriCorps education award while serving as a significantly involved mentor with local youth this academic year.

Download an application here.

Do you remember NC-ACTS program? Well this is the new NC-ACTS program, which has been expanded to include Virginia (don’t worry, we will not be sending you to Virginia; as a member of this program, you would be working right here in Asheville).

The ADVANCE (AmeriCorps Dedicated to VA & NC Children Excelling) program is an AmeriCorps education award program engaging North Carolina and Virginia college students as mentors. ADVANCE members are required to complete their term of service (300 hours) within one calendar year. However, the ADVANCE program is designed to occur between August and May, paralleling the academic year. Upon the completion and certification of 300 hours of service activities, each ADVANCE member will receive a $1,175 education award from the Corporation of National and Community Service Trust Fund. The education award goes directly to the Member in the form of a voucher that can be applied toward qualified educational expenses including federally-backed student loans and tuition.

For more information, read this member position description.

You can also find out more at the ADVANCE Website.

What will I do as an ADVANCE member?

•  Work at a placement site (through Communities in Schools North Carolina) mentoring and tutoring youth, approximately 8-10 hours per week (you would be expected to work at your placement site approx. 3x per week for several hours, which can be designed to some extent around your schedule).
• Participate in reflection activities (approximately 3 per semester) with your ADVANCE cohort (approximately 3-5 UNCA student ADVANCE members), facilitated by the ADVANCE Program Coordinator. This will serve as a great, supportive group for you at UNCA with similar experiences to share. You won’t be in it alone!
• Be a positive role model for youth. Positive, engaged mentorship has been demonstrated to be a major factor in contributing to youth success. You will learn a lot through this experience about working with youth.
• Complete a total of 300 hours over the year, and earn a $1,175 AmeriCorps Education Award.

Forms for ADVANCE Members

• ADVANCE Enrollment Forms and the online Member Handbook
• Online time logs