AmeriCorps members must be citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens of the United States, and must be not less than 17 years old at the time of enrollment into the program. The statute does, however, permit certain types of programs to enroll participants who are out of school youths at least 16 years of age (42 USC 12591; 45 CFR section 2522.200).

Living allowances are paid on the basis of an AmeriCorps member's selection and enrollment as a full-time participant in a program. The living allowance that an AmeriCorps member receives is not to be considered or treated as a wage or a salary. The installment payments of living allowances are not dependent upon the actual number of hours actually spent on service. Most full-time AmeriCorps members are to receive a living allowance during the installment period of at least 100 percent, but not more than 200 percent, of the total average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers. For particular program years, the limits on the living allowances are as follows (42 USC 4955 and 12594; 45 CFR section 2522.240):

Current information on the minimum and maximum amounts of AmeriCorps living allowances is available from the Office of the Director of AmeriCorps at the Corporation's Headquarters at (202) 606-5000.

While most full-time AmeriCorps members cannot receive a living allowance higher than the maximum amount set forth above, the statute permits "professional corps" members to receive a living allowance in excess of the maximum allowance authorized in the statute. However, in this instance, Corporation funds may not be used to pay for any portion of the living allowance (42 USC 12594(c); 45 section CFR 2522.240).

An AmeriCorps's member who is authorized to serve a reduced term of service may be provided a prorated living allowance for that authorized reduced term of service (42 USC 12593, 12594; 45 CFR sections 2522.220 and 2522.240).

Operational Costs. Except for living allowances, child care allowances (if applicable), health insurance premiums (if applicable), and certain employment-related taxes, the Corporation's share of the cost of activities carried out under the grant cannot exceed 75 percent. However, the terms of AmeriCorps program grants often require programs to provide higher operational matching amounts than 25 percent. The grantee must provide their matching amount in the form of cash, or in kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services. The program may provide for their operational matching amount through State sources, local sources, or other Federal sources. The Corporation may waive, in whole or in part, the minimum match requirement (25 percent) in any fiscal year if the Corporation determines that such a waiver would be equitable due to a lack of available financial resources at the local level (42 USC 12571(e); 45 CFR section 2521.30(g)).

Member Support Costs. The Federal share, including Corporation and other Federal funds, of the living allowance provided to an AmeriCorps member may not exceed 85 percent of the minimum required living allowance. The grantee must provide the remaining funding for living allowances from non-Federal cash sources. The Corporation will pay up to 85 percent of the cost of health care coverage that includes the minimum benefits specified by the Corporation. The Corporation specifies the minimum benefits required as part of its grant provisions (42 USC 12594(a) and (d); 45 CFR sections 2522.240(b)(5) and 2522.250(b)).

No more than five percent of assistance provided by the Corporation can be used for the combined administrative expenses of the grantee and its subgrantees (42 USC 12571(d); 45 CFR sections 2521.30(h) and 2540.110).

a. SF-269A - Financial Status Report (Short Form) - Applicable

b. SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement - Not Applicable

c. SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Program - Not Applicable

d. SF-272, Federal Cash Transactions Report - Payments under this program are made by the Department of Health and Human Services, Payment Management System. Reporting equivalent to the SF-272 is accomplished through the Payment Management System and is evidenced by the PMS 272 series of reports.

The following two forms are submitted to the Corporation for each AmeriCorps member and are used by the Corporation to support the member's eligibility for a post-service education benefit. A roster of members enrolled/completed during the period should be obtained from the Corporation, to assure that the universe of forms submitted, as provided by the entity, is complete. Rosters may be obtained by contacting the Corporation's Director of Trust Operations at (202) 606-5000, extension 363.

Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions who are paid stipends must be at least 60 years old, meet applicable income guidelines, and be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of serving on a person-to-person basis. Income eligibility is based on the applicant's total annual income (including the total annual income of the applicant's spouse), less allowable medical expenses. To be eligible, an applicant's income must fall below eligibility levels specified by the Corporation (generally set at 125 percent of the poverty level annually established by the Department of Health and Human Services). Eligibility levels vary by geographic area. The eligibility levels for all areas are published annually in the Federal Register, and are available from the Corporation's State Offices or from the National Senior Service Corps at the Corporation's headquarters at (202) 606-5000 (63 FR 19903, April 22, 1998). Stipends for Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions are $2.55 per hour effective January 1, 1998 (prior to January 1, 1998, the rates were set at $2.45 per hour). This may be increased by the Corporation from time to time. Current information on the amount of the hourly stipend is also available from the Corporation's State Offices or from the National Senior Service Corps at the Corporation's headquarters (42 USC 5011 and 5013; 45 CFR sections 1207.3-5(a) and 1208.3-5(a)).

Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion programs may enroll persons who are at least 60 years old, but who do not meet the income guidelines as non-stipended Foster Grandparents or Senior Companions. Before enrolling non-stipended Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions, programs must first contact the Corporation State Office to determine if there is a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program project within the community that has agreed to assume the management responsibility of placing non-stipended participants in Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs (45 CFR sections 1207.3-7 and 1208.3-8).

The non-Federal entity is required to contribute at least 10 percent of the total cost of a project from non-federal sources or authorized federal sources, unless the Notice of Grant Award specifies a lower percentage (42 USC 5011(a) and 5013(a); 45 CFR sections 1207.2-2 and 1208.2-2).

An amount equal to 90 percent of the Federal share of a Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion program grant must be used for stipend and other direct benefits for Foster Grandparents or Senior Companions, unless the Notice of Grant Award specifies a different percentage. Direct benefits for Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions include stipends, insurance, transportation, meals, physical examinations, recognition, and uniforms, if necessary (45 CFR sections 1207.3-5(c) and 1208.3-5(c)).

a. SF-269A, Financial Status Report (Short Form) - Applicable

b. SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement - Applicable

c. SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Program - Not Applicable

d. SF-272, Federal Cash Transactions Report - For some grantees, payments under this program are made by the Department of Health and Human Services, Payment Management System. Reporting equivalent to the SF-272 is accomplished through the Payment Management System and is evidenced by the PMS 272 series of reports.

a. Form No. 1021-FGP, Foster Grandparent Program Project Profile and Volunteer Activity Survey (OMB No. 3045-0029) - This form is used by the Corporation to annually collect information related to Foster Grandparent Programs. The Corporation plans to use the information collected with this form as part of the Corporation's performance measures under the Government Performance and Results Act.

Key Line Item - Question 2

b. Form No. 1021-SCP, Senior Companion Program Project Profile and Volunteer Activity Survey (OMB No. 3045-0029) - This form is used by the Corporation to collect information related to Senior Companion Programs on an annual basis. The Corporation plans to use the information collected with this form as part of the Corporation's performance measures under the Government Performance and Results Act.

Key Line Item - Question 2