What is Americorps VISTA?

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a government program and branch of AmeriCorps that places volunteers in nonprofit community organizations where they will complete capacity building projects over the course of one year with the goal of reducing and eliminating poverty in the United States.

AmeriCorps mission is “to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based direct national and community service.”

VISTA FAQs

  • AmeriCorps VISTA projects are focused on capacity building work as opposed to direct service. This means that they are creating something new for an organization that the organization did not have the ability (or “capacity”) to develop previously.

    For example, someone doing direct service may be working in a classroom teaching or tutoring students but someone doing capacity building would be creating the curriculum that the class will be based on or developing a volunteer recruitment strategy to help the organization find tutors to help out in the class.

    VISTA projects are also focused on sustainability, meaning that whatever new program, process, or procedure that is developed during the VISTA’s term of service should be able to continue on at that organization after their service comes to an end.

  • You are eligible to be a VISTA member if you:

    • are 18 years or older (no upper age limit)

    • hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses:

      • US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

    • Have not have been convicted of murder, or be listed in the National Sex Offender Public Website as having been convicted of sex crimes.

    • Are willing to undergo a criminal history check.

    • Are in a position to offer full-time service for one year (365 days) without regard to regular

    • In order to participate in our program, you must live or be willing to move to the Kansas City Metro Area. (Although some of our sites offer remote or hybrid work schedules, it is important to be involved in the community you will be serving as well as to have the ability to attend in person events as necessary)

  • Yes, as a VISTA you will receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance to cover basic expenses. This amount will fall at 120% of the poverty level in your area.

    Additionally, you will recieve:

    • Professional Development Training

      • You have the opportunity to attend in-person and virtual training to learn how to be a community development change agent.

    • Non-Competitive Eligibility

      • AmeriCorps VISTA is the only AmeriCorps program that allows members to earn federal non-competitive eligibility, giving members an edge in the federal hiring process.

    • End of Service Award

      • Members can choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,495) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.

  • Your VAD is your VISTA Assignment Description. This is essentially a detailed position description with steps to completing your project outlined. The VAD is developed by your site supervisor in conjunction with the VISTA program team at Literacy KC. Your VAD provides a basis upon which to start figuring out what steps to take to complete your project and will tell you where your efforts and focus should be directed during your service.

  • All VISTA applications must be submitted through myamericorps.gov. On the myamericorps portal, you will be able to create a profile and one or more applications. Each application can be submitted to as many positions as you like so if you want to apply to multiple positions, you can create a single application in the portal and submit it to several position listings as you see fit.

    If you run into any problems or technical issues using the online portal, your best resource will be the AmeriCorps VISTA Helpline at 1-800-942-2677

    Additionally, please feel free to get in touch with our Program Manager if you need assistance or support in the application process.

  • HOST SITE QUALIFICATIONS

    • Organizations must be a 501(c)3 or public institution.

    • Organizations must focus in part or in full on alleviating poverty.

    • Organizations must be able to pay $5400 plus gas mileage reimbursement for sub-site service-related travel. Literacy KC will cover the mileage cost for travel to VISTA events.

    • Organizations must be able to provide sufficient supervision, including weekly check-ins, and bi-annual reporting per the Literacy KC VISTA Project MOU.

    • Organizations must have the ability to provide necessary technology and workspace. VISTA members are able to work remotely or a hybrid schedule depending on the requirements of the sub-site. However, VISTAs must live in the community served by the organization of their sub-site.

    Send us an email if your organization is interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member through the Literacy KC VISTA Project.

  • Interested parties are strongly encouraged to reach out to the LKC VISTA Program Manager to discuss the potential project before submitting the application.

    Applications are by either June 15 or December 15th each year. There is no application fee.

    Accepted applications will be submitted to the AmeriCorps grant within 30 days of application.

    After submitting your project to the grant, the LKC VISTA Program Manager will work with you to finalize your VISTA Assignment Description (VAD).

    Positions will be fullly listed and ready to accept applicants within 90 days of original application.

VISTA Benefits

  • If you do not already have health insurance coverage, you have the option of joining the AmeriCorps VISTA Health Benefit Plan through IMG. This is not a health insurance policy, but a reimbursement program. With this program, you are able to submit healthcare related expenses for reimbursement up to approximately $8,500 throughout your term of service.

    Read a more detailed overview of the VISTA Health Benefit here.

    View the Health Benefit Plan guide here.

  • VISTA members with children under the age of 13 can qualify for the AmeriCorps Childcare Benefit. The approved benefit rate will either the rate of your current childcare provider or the maximum allowable rate in the state of Missouri (whichever is less).

    To be eligible, you must:

    • The age of your children (must be under the age of 13)

    • Your total household income, including any other forms of assistance that you receive. Your VISTA living allowance is not factored into determine your eligibility.

    • Your state income limit. Your family income must be below the maximum income limit for your state

    View more detailed information about the Childcare Benefit here.

  • Upon a succesfully completed term of service as a VISTA, you have two options for an End of Service Award. You will be eligible to recieve either the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or the end of service cash stipend.

    The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is equal to the maximum Pell Grant of the fiscal year in which you started your service. For members starting service on or after October 1, 2022, the value of the education award is $6,895.00 for full year members.

    The award is in the form of a voucher (not cash) and can be used to pay for future educational training and related expenses at Title IV schools or to repay existing eligible federal student loans.

    Visit the Education Award site to learn which student loans are qualified. You have seven years after completing service to use this aware before it is nullified. You can only receive two full Segal Education Awards in your lifetime, even if you serve more than two terms as a VISTA.

    The End of Service Cash Stipend is paid out in cash over your last two living allowance payments and can be used however you like. Federal taxes will be withheld from the stipend at the time of payment. The stipend amount is approximately $1,800 pre-tax for a full year of service.

  • As a VISTA, you will recieve:

    • 10 personal days for vacation, personal days off, or religious observances

    • 10 days of medical leave for illness, injury, or medical appointments

    • Parental leave: for birth or adoption. You will be expected to use personal and medical leave first. The AmeriCorps Regional Office may approve an additional 10 days, for a total of 30 days, if required by your medical professional.

    • Emergency leave: Up to 5 additional leave days may be granted if natural disaster requires leaving the site or an immediate family member becomes critically ill or dies. The sponsor must approve and notify the AmeriCorps Regional Office.

    • Extended Medical Leave: Up to 5 additional medical leave days (for up to a total of 15 medical workdays in a full year of service) may be granted by the regional office for situations that require extended recuperation.

    • Military leave and Jury Duty will be approved as required

  • AmeriCorps provides a modest living allowance while you are serving in the VISTA program. The allowance is based on poverty rates for a single individual in the geographic area where you serve. The living allowance is paid biweekly and deposited directly into your bank account.

    Federal income tax deductions, if applicable, are withheld from the living allowance. No state, county, or city taxes are withheld. You are responsible for paying the appropriate taxes.

    Currently, the living allowance rate in Kansas City is approximately $1,500 per month. You can inquire directly about the most up-to-date information on the living allowance amount.

  • VISTA members are not only allowed but encouraged to participate in professional development during the course of their terms of service. Up to two or three hours of professional development is allowed per week. VISTA members should speak with their sub-site supervisors about what areas of professional development are relevant and of interest to the VISTA. Professional development can include attending conferences, classes, or other learning events related to poverty reduction, a VISTA member’s VAD, or a VISTA member’s organization. It can also include shadowing, informational interviews, writing and revising resumes, researching colleges or graduate schools, and similar activities. Professional development, however, cannot include any activity related to direct service.

    We also ask that all of our VISTAs attend a monthly professional development meeting hosted by the LKC VISTA program. During these meetings we have group discussions, listen to guest speakers, and have presentations given by some of our own VISTA members. It is also a great opportunity to network and discuss issues related to service or your specific project.

  • In addition to the education award, VISTA members can take advantage of several other education benefits open to AmeriCorps members. VISTA members, for example, can place qualified student loans into forbearance or deferment during their term of service. VISTA members can also receive a GRE Fee Reduction Certificate.

    Many institutions also offer to match the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or make available to AmeriCorps VISTA alumni other financial aid benefits, such as scholarships, tuition waivers, and in-state tuition.

  • Each VISTA member on the Literacy KC VISTA Team can request up to $500 for emergencies during their year of service. The fund can be utilized for purposes such as car repairs, emergency medical expenses, et cetera. The emergency fund is available to VISTA members after 90 days of service. Requests to use the emergency fund should be sent to the VISTA Program Coordinator.

    Emergency fund requests will be assessed with regards to whether or not they qualify as an emergency and approved or denied accordingly.