Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about being a RARE AmeriCorps member are listed below.
- Who administers the RARE AmeriCorps Program, and how is it funded?
- Do I have a choice in the community I serve?
- What are the benefits of participating in the RARE AmeriCorps Program?
- What are the commitments of the RARE member?
- How does the application and selection process work?
- Where can I go for resume, essay question, and interview practice support?
- Do I have to be a student at the University of Oregon to participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program?
- Are there other requirements I should be aware of?
- If I am thinking of further education, should I participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program before, during or after graduate school?
- If I participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program before graduate school, will I qualify for in-state tuition in Oregon?
- Will I receive training?
- What technical support does the RARE AmeriCorps Program provide?
- Who determines the RARE member’s work plan?
- What about housing and transportation?
- What if I have more questions?
Who administers RARE, and how is it funded?
RARE AmeriCorps is administered through the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. The RARE AmeriCorps Program has been supported over the years by grants from AmeriCorps, The Ford Family Foundation, the University of Oregon, the Oregon Food Bank, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and other agencies. In addition, each participating host organization provides $26,500 to help place, train and support a full-time RARE AmeriCorps member.
Do I have a choice in the community I serve?
Yes. All placements are mutual decisions between the member, community and RARE AmeriCorps staff. Once members move forward in the application process, they have the opportunity to interview with roughly 3-5 communities that we think are a good fit for their skills, abilities, and what they would like to get from the program. Applicants then rank their top choices, as do the host organizations, and decisions are made by RARE AmeriCorps staff based on these rankings. However we cannot ensure that every candidate who interviews with host organizations will find an appropriate placement in the program, although there is a high likelihood.
What are the benefits of participating in RARE in the 2025-26 service year?
- Monthly Living Stipend: $2,425
- Personal Professional Development Fund of $300
- Medical Insurance: If eligible, we will provide medical insurance. At this time, we do not provide vision or dental coverage.
- Member Assistance Program, Premium Package through AllOne Health: Unlimited telephonic counseling services, 3 in-person or virtual counseling sessions, mobile app with resources, life coaching, financial and legal assistance consultations, and more.
- Possible Child Care Benefits: If eligible, child care benefits are available.
- Segal Educational Award: At the successful completion of 11 months (1,700 hours) of service, RARE AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive an educational award of ~$7,395. (Educational Awards are dependent on grant funding. Check back for updates, as the amount for 2025-26 will likely increase slightly).
- Federal Student Loan Forbearance
- Professional training in Community Development, Grant Writing, Communication, Land Use, Economic Development, Facilitation, Leadership, Etc. (valued at ~$5000)
- Nine Graduate Credit Waiver: Each RARE AmeriCorps member will be eligible for a 9 graduate credit waiver for the University of Oregon’s Master of Community & Regional Planning, Master of Public Administration, or Master of Nonprofit Management programs.
- In-state Tuition: If a member is moving to Oregon, after the successful completion of their service they may be eligible for in-state tuition.
- University of Oregon Graduate School Fee Waiver: RARE AmeriCorps members are eligible for a need-based fee waiver. More information can be found on the Graduate School website.
What are the commitments of the RARE member?
A full-time RARE AmeriCorps member commits to completing 11 months (1,700 hours) of community service. Members are required to attend an orientation at the beginning of their placements, as well as regular trainings and meetings conducted by the RARE AmeriCorps Program during the service year.
How does the application and selection process work?
RARE Interview: RARE AmeriCorps staff will review completed applications. They will then select potential members and conduct interviews by telephone with those selected. If moved onto the next stage, references will then be checked.
Community Interviews: Following these interviews, a preliminary pool of potential members will be selected and will be given information on roughly 3-5 communities that have successfully applied for a RARE AmeriCorps member. Those selected will be invited to virtual interviews with 3 or more host organizations where they will interview with the local supervisor, and possibly a small panel of additional organization staff and/or community partners.
Matchmaking: Selected communities and prospective members then indicate their top choices to the RARE AmeriCorps staff. Every effort is made to match both the community’s and the member’s first or second preference, if possible. All placements are mutual decisions made by community supervisor, member, and RARE AmeriCorps staff. We cannot ensure that every person who interviews will find an appropriate placement.
Where can I go for resume, essay question, and interview practice support?
Reach out to the UO Career Center (for UO grads) or your own alma mater’s career center. Many university career centers work with graduates up to one year after graduation. We also encourage you to have friends or colleagues look over your materials before submission. If selected, we will send your materials, including your essay questions, on to the rural communities you will interview with.
Do I have to be a student at the University of Oregon to participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program?
No. RARE AmeriCorps members are not required to be students at the time they submit their application.
All RARE AmeriCorps applicants must have a bachelor’s degree by the start of orientation. Degrees from all accredited universities are welcomed.
RARE AmeriCorps members are not students at the University of Oregon. The members live throughout Oregon in rural communities working an average of 40 hours a week. This obligation to the RARE AmeriCorps Program makes it unrealistic to be a student at the same time as being a RARE AmeriCorps member.
Are there other requirements I should be aware of?
Yes. RARE AmeriCorps members are required to be either U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. In addition, you will need to demonstrate six months applied community experience as well as coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas: planning or statistical analysis, planning or economic theory, project management, community or economic development, environmental planning, geographic information systems and grant writing. You should also be proficient in Windows based computer applications and have an interest in the ideology of service-learning. You do not need to have a graduate degree to participate in the RARE Program.
Criminal Background Checks: All potential members must pass a check of the National Sexual Offender Public Registry before they will be offered a placement. All members must pass an FBI check and a criminal background check of state registries prior to beginning their placement.
UO Driver Certification: To drive any vehicle (including your personal vehicle) for university-business travel, a driver must be certified through the University of Oregon Driver Certification process prior to driving any vehicle for university-business travel. To be driver certified a driver must meet minimum driver and driving requirements and complete an online form.
Drug Testing Policy: Many of the organizations we work with have adopted Drug-Free Workplace Policies that are applicable to all employees and associates. As a result, Members may be required to take a blood, breath or urinalysis test as part of an organization’s pre-employment assessment process.
If I am thinking of further education, should I participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program before, during or after graduate school?
The RARE AmeriCorps Program is flexible. The timing of graduate school and participation in RARE AmeriCorps is dependent upon the needs of the individual. In some cases, RARE AmeriCorps staff may recommend that applicants take additional coursework to increase skills prior to participating in RARE. Potential RARE AmeriCorps members should have an interest in the planning and community development field. Most of our members come to the program with their bachelor’s degree and one to two years of work experience. Upon the completion of the RARE AmeriCorps Program, a number of the members return to school to obtain a master’s degree.
If I participate in the RARE AmeriCorps Program before graduate school, will I qualify for in-state tuition in Oregon?
You MAY be eligible for in-state tuition but we cannot guarantee it. All residency decisions are made by University Admissions offices and are decided on a case by case basis. In the past, RARE AmeriCorps members have been granted residency. More information on residency rules and guidance can be found on the Residency Rules section of the UO Admissions website. If you have questions, please contact us at 541-513-9989.
Yes. Prior to and during placement, members attend an orientation and training session that provides them with many of the basic skills needed for a successful service year. In addition, members attend quarterly trainings and meetings throughout the year to increase their skills and to share their experiences.
What technical support does the RARE AmeriCorps Program provide?
The RARE AmeriCorps staff provides technical assistance and ongoing support to members, including at least one in-person site visit. In addition, members have access to other faculty who work with the RARE AmeriCorps Program at the University of Oregon, and provide technical advice and project support to members as needed.
Who determines the RARE member’s work plan?
All communities submit a position description as part of their application process. Upon placement, the member and their supervisor work together to develop a more detailed work plan based in part on the skills and interests of the member. The RARE AmeriCorps staff also reviews and helps refine member’s work plan.
What about housing and transportation?
Members in the RARE AmeriCorps Program are responsible for finding and paying for their own housing. As much as possible, the RARE AmeriCorps Program and the community sponsor will assist members by providing leads and contacts as well as income verification letters. Because members are typically placed in rural communities and may need to travel for their work (in addition to traveling to required RARE trainings throughout the state), they are strongly encouraged to have a reliable vehicle.
What if I have more questions?
For additional questions, contact our Program Coordinator:
Willow Ryon
541-761-0211
wryon@uoregon.edu
