Skip menu
Oklahoma Money Matters
AmericorpsAmericorps Grant Program

Become a Member

*NOTE: no new or repeat OKMM-EAP members will be enrolled after July 31, 2008.

OKMM is partnered with AmeriCorps, a national program that encourages and supports community service and volunteerism.  Through this partnership, OKMM AmeriCorps members are trained to teach personal finance, consumer credit and student financial aid workshops in local communities, working in field sites around the state.  These AmeriCorps members impact Oklahoma’s economic future by promoting careful spending, responsible borrowing and commitment to saving. 

There are many benefits to serving as an OKMM-EAP member, including:

  • serving as part of a nationally recognized group of volunteers.
  • the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others in your community.
  • personal and professional growth.
  • improved personal finance skills.
  • career networking opportunities for AmeriCorps alumni.
  • an Education Award to pay college expenses or repay student loans.
  • forbearance and payment of accrued interest on qualified student loans.

Eligibility Requirements
To enroll in OKMM-EAP, an applicant must:

  • be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. lawful permanent resident alien.
  • be at least 17 years old at the time of enrollment.
  • hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. 

All applicants are subject to an OSBI criminal history and background check.  Individuals whose OSBI report reveals a conviction, a plead of guilty or a plead of nolo contendere for a felony charge are ineligible to participate in OKMM-EAP.

The OKMM-EAP Service Plan
OKMM-EAP members serve 300 hours within a calendar year, for which they can earn a $1,000 Education Award to pay direct educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, and repayment of student loans.  AmeriCorps members are also eligible for loan forbearance and payment of accrued interest on qualified student loans during the term of service. 

Member Position Description
OKMM-EAP will place members in host sites around the state to educate youth and others about personal finance, student financial aid and consumer credit.  OKMM-EAP goals include building student knowledge of financial literacy principles; developing members’ leadership, citizenship and presentation skills; and facilitating members’ life-long commitment to community service. 

Specific Duties:

  • Teach educational sessions in personal finance, student financial aid and consumer credit.

  • Present information about financial literacy and available resources to a wide range of audiences in a variety of settings.

  • Network with schools, professional organizations and community service agencies to schedule instructional sessions.

  • Develop, compile and distribute financial literacy materials.

  • Prepare lesson plans, create educational games and design team-building exercises.

  • Organize logistical planning for projects and events.

  • Research fiscal initiatives and trends.

  • Develop outreach strategies to publicize financial literacy services and resources.

  • Provide financial counseling to individual students and student groups.

  • Recruit volunteers for site activities and partner networks.

  • Help students complete financial aid forms and scholarship applications.

Qualifications:

  • At least 17 years of age.
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED.
  • Interest in learning and teaching financial literacy concepts.
  • Willingness to work as part of a team.

Job Requirements:

  • Complete 300 service hours in a one-year service term.
  • Work schedule determined by site supervisor.

Benefits:

  • Education Award upon successful completion of service term ($1,000).
  • Student loan deferment during term of service.
  • Personal and professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I’m applying for OKMM-EAP, why does the application say AmeriCorps?
OKMM is partnered with AmeriCorps, the national service organization that encourages and supports community service and volunteerism.  Through this partnership, OKMM-EAP members are able to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

Is training provided for OKMM-EAP members?
Yes!  OKMM-EAP members are trained to teach the personal finance, consumer credit and student financial aid curricula.  During the training session, each member receives a resource notebook with information about AmeriCorps, the OKMM-EAP service term, paperwork, reporting requirements, allowable and prohibited activities, the financial literacy curricula and tools, contact information and other useful materials. 

How will you know how many hours I’ve worked?
OKMM-EAP members report service hours on a simple timesheet, which is submitted for the Site Supervisor’s approval each month.

How much is the Education Award and how is it paid?
For 300 hours of service, OKMM-EAP members can earn a $1,000 Education Award.  Hours must be completed within one calendar year and served in a qualified field site under the direction of a Site Supervisor.  Upon completion of service, members receive a voucher and instructions from the National Service Trust, which issues AmeriCorps Education Awards.  Payments are made directly to an institution or lender, not to the member; members decide where the funds will be sent.  Education Awards are valid for seven years and are not transferable. 

What if I complete the service term and I want to serve again?
If you successfully complete an OKMM-EAP term of service and are interested in serving a second term, you can re-apply through your Site Supervisor.  To serve again, you must have received satisfactory performance reviews from the Site Supervisor for the previous term of service.

How many Education Awards can one person receive?
AmeriCorps members can earn a maximum of two Education Awards and serve a maximum of two terms of national service. 

To Apply

If you’re interested in serving as an OKMM-EAP member, contact the OKMM office or the field site closest to you to discuss available service opportunities. 

Once you talk to a Site Supervisor, you will be asked to submit an AmeriCorps application [doc].  You may also be asked to provide:

  • a letter of reference from a teacher, professor or other educator;
  • a letter of reference from another non-family member; and
  • a brief essay (300 words or less) describing why financial literacy is important in the world today.

The Site Supervisor can answer questions about the application and membership process.  If your application is accepted, the Site Supervisor will give you additional paperwork to complete, invite you to a member training workshop and go over the next steps of the OKMM-EAP enrollment process with you.