Benefits

An SCA internship offers many benefits. Explore the variety of Financial, Personal, and Global benefits serving with SCA provides.

Financial Benefits

Benefits listed are typical of SCA internships. Due to the variety of partnerships,they do sometimes vary. Specific benefits will be confirmed at the time you are selected for an internship.

*The AmeriCorps Education Award Program is a grant program contingent upon federal funding. SCA receives a set number of education awards each year, and sometimes our member numbers exceed the amount of awards made available to us.

Living Allowance
SCA internships are volunteer positions, but a subsistence living allowance is provided to cover basic food expenses. In some cases, interns may need or want to bring additional funds for personal needs such as dining out, recreational activities and gas.

Housing
Housing is generally provided to interns at no cost. There are exceptions where local candidates are requested as no housing is available at the site. Housing arrangement information for each position is provided in the detailed position description. As housing is often shared with other interns and/ or agency staff, special accommodations for spouses, children and pets are usually not possible.

Travel Expenses

The budget for travel costs is set at $650 (roundtrip). Travel costs exceeding $650 will be approved under special circumstances, such as when the intern is required to bring a car to the field site, when flying outside the continental United States (Alaska and Hawaii), flying to remote areas, the intern is selected late by the hosting agency or when a training is required as part of the internship.

When a vehicle is required for the position, travel will be reimbursed at 19 cents per mile, plus $60 per night for lodging, up to a maximum of eight nights (roundtrip). If a car is NOT required, travel will be reimbursed at 19 cents per mile with a maximum of $650 and no overnight lodging reimbursement.

Whether or not a car is required for the position, SCA does not assume risk for damages that occur to personal vehicles, or repairs/maintenance that become necessary en route to the field site or during the course of the service period.

SCA expects the hosting agency to provide transportation for the performance of official duties or full reimbursement for the use of personal vehicles for such purposes.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program and Student Loan Forbearance

The AmeriCorps Education Award Program is a grant program contingent upon federal funding. SCA receives a set number of education awards each year, and sometimes our member numbers exceed the amount of awards made available to us. If slots are available, qualified SCA interns may choose to enroll in the SCA AmeriCorps Education Award Program. Interns enrolled in this program commit to completing a minimum number of service hours and, in return, receive education funds of at least $1000. This award can be used to repay qualified student loans (loans backed by the federal government), graduate or undergraduate tuition, or educational expenses for qualified enrichment courses. To be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old at the start of the position; be a US citizen or permanent resident; and be a high school graduate before using the award. 

If you enroll in AmeriCorps, you may be able to place qualified student loans in forbearance during your internship. As an additional benefit, AmeriCorps may pay all or a portion of interest that accrues on these loans while you serve. Please be aware that the AmeriCorps Education Award cannot be used to repay private loans, nor will you be able to place loans in forbearance or receive the interest accrual benefit if you hold private student loans. Your lender should be able to tell you if your loan is qualified. Find out more about the AmeriCorps Education Award.

Medical Coverage
Medical coverage/ insurance is offered to all long term SCA interns at no cost to the intern.

Personal Benefits

Professional Training/ Certifications
As an SCA intern you will receive specialized training and valuable experience. In some cases professional certifications are available as part of your internship. Opportunities vary depending on the specific position. Information is provided in the detailed position descriptions.

Academic Credit
Many SCA interns may obtain academic credit for their internship experiences. Most interns get the credit through colleges or programs in which they are already enrolled by working with their academic advisors. Permission must be obtained through the school/professor prior to the internship. Through a cooperative agreement between SCA and Colorado State University, interns may earn up to 12 graded undergraduate credits from the Department of Natural Resources, Recreation and Tourism. Interns receive more information after they have been selected for a specific position.

Career Exploration
An SCA internship provides an opportunity to discover the challenges and rewards of a career in conservation. SCA offers internships in over 30 conservation related disciplines. It’s a chance to find out which path best suits you, and how you can put your passion for conserving nature into practice. If you want to join the “long green line”, an SCA internship can be an essential step along the way.

Career Connections
Many careers have started with an SCA internship. You’ll get to experience what it’s like to have a frontline job in the field of conservation. You’ll work alongside professionals who will guide your internship and can serve as valuable contacts later on. Even if you don’t go on to work directly in conservation, professional references from an SCA internship can help launch your career no matter what field you pursue.

Global

Service to the land and America
An SCA internship is your chance to the serve the earth right now. You will perform crucial service on behalf of America’s public lands, wildlife and historical spaces. The work interns do makes an impact. The world directly, tangibly benefits from the work you do.

Your SCA internship can be the experience of a lifetime, as you come face to face with nature’s biggest challenges, and take responsibility for preserving America’s heritage and the future.