A SMART Act

Key Points

• The bill modernizes AmeriCorps by allowing shorter service terms, reducing the minimum from nine months to as little as eight weeks, and raising the age limit for the National Civilian Community Corps from 24 to 26. These changes open national service to more young people who may not be able to commit to long terms.
• AmeriCorps members who complete full-time service could choose a cash stipend instead of the traditional education award. The stipend would be set at the same rate as VISTA volunteer stipends, giving members who do not plan to attend college a meaningful alternative.
• Education awards can now be used for career pathway programs, job training, and technical schools, not just traditional college. The bill also doubles the lifetime cap on education awards from 2 to 4, rewarding those who serve multiple terms.
• Former AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteers who complete their service would qualify for non-competitive federal hiring, letting them skip the standard competitive application process for government jobs within one to three years of finishing service.
• New accountability measures require a financial expert on the AmeriCorps board, stricter timekeeping and record-keeping for service sites, and public evaluation rubrics. Programs are reauthorized through fiscal years 2027 to 2031 with "such sums as may be necessary."