National-Service Advocates Campaign for Tax-Free AmeriCorps Education Grants

National-service advocates are campaigning to persuade Congress to approve a bill to exclude from income tax the education grant that AmeriCorps members earn after completing their service.

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act, H.R. 1596, was introduced by Rep. John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia, and is now before the House Ways and Means Committee.

Unlike other federal education grants, such as Pell Grants and G.I. Bill aid, the AmeriCorps award — which rose to $5,375 on October 1 — is now treated as gross income for income-tax purposes.

AmeriCorps Alums and Voices for National Service are asking supporters to sign a letter to the Ways and Means Committee or to contact their Congressional representatives.