As part of higher education plan, Clinton proposes expanding AmeriCorps civil service program

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling for an expansion of the AmeriCorps service program launched under her husband's administration.

Clinton calls for spending about $20 billion over 10 years on the build-up. She touts the proposal as part of her larger plan to make college more affordable by increasing the educational grants paid to AmeriCorps volunteers and making the awards tax free.

AmeriCorps currently places about 75,000 people in jobs across service sectors from public education to environmental awareness. Volunteers get a maximum award of $11,550 for two years of full-time service.

The Clinton campaign tells The Associated Press the candidate's plan could increase enrollment to 250,000 volunteers and increase the maximum award to more than $23,000.