S. 4232, the SMART Act, makes several changes to national service and volunteer programs administered by the Corporation for National Service. The bill increases federal funding for volunteer generation initiatives to up to 75 percent of program costs, expands AmeriCorps educational awards to allow transfers to family members and increases the maximum number of awards an individual can receive from 2 to 4 during their service career. It also adds stipends as a compensation option for national service participants, allowing them to choose a stipend equal to volunteer rates instead of an educational award, and strengthens safeguards around award eligibility through improved record-keeping and verification requirements. These changes take effect one year after the bill is signed into law and apply to individuals enrolling in national service programs and grants awarded after that effective date.
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