These are some of the most often-asked questions from students interested in Federal employment, separated into five general categories. If your question doesn't seem to fit in any of these categories, scroll down to browse through all of the answers.

If you have additional questions, please let us know. You can e-mail us at: studentjobshelp@opm.gov. We're constantly updating and upgrading Studentjobs.gov to serve you better.

Eligibility • Applying and Getting Hired • Work Schedule • Benefits • Other Questions

To be eligible for a student appointment, you must be:

• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.);
• If enrolled, taking at least half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited high school, technical, or vocational school; 2- or 4-year college or university; graduate or professional school;
• At least 16 years old.

Students should contact the agency they wish to work for and apply directly to that agency. In cases where an agency has issued a vacancy announcement for a student position, the announcement will provide details on the position and the procedures to apply to it.

You must be at least 16 years old.

You are not required to have a college degree to work for the Federal government. To be eligible for participation in the student educational employment program, you must qualify as a student as defined above.

Yes, if you are pursuing a GED, you are eligible for student employment.

If one or both of your parents are employees of the Federal government, you are still eligible to work as a student employee. However, parents/relatives may not advocate employment on your behalf and are prohibited from assuming a supervisory role or having a direct reporting relationship with you.

Only certain non-citizens may be eligible for student appointments. Eligible non-citizens participating in the Student Career Experience program MUST become United States citizens in order to be converted to career conditional appointments in the competitive service. Visit http://www.opm.gov/employ/html/Citizen.htm for more information on citizenship requirements for Federal service.

There is no limit to the number of times you can be appointed as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for student employment.

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Applying and Getting Hired

Different agencies have different application requirements. There is no exact date to apply for summer employment opportunities. If you complete the personal profile in Studentjobs.gov and indicate you are interested in summer employment, you will be notified by email as soon as a job matching your profile is posted. We also recommend you check Studentjobs.gov regularly.

No, students are not required to take written tests.

Normally, you will not be required to have a background check conducted. However, some excepted service positions do require a background check.

Yes, résumés and curriculum vitae are highly encouraged. However, all information requested by Optional Form 612 must be included in your résumé or curriculum vitae. Visit our Create a Résumé page if you would like to create and store a résumé on OPM’s USAJOBS system. It can be accessed, edited, and submitted at any time.

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Work Schedule

You may work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer months or while you are on break. During the academic year, various schedules exist depending on the program you are in. Visit our Search for Jobs page for additional information on student employment programs.

Student employment programs provide students with an opportunity to obtain work experience while going to school. You have the flexibility to attend school and work during the school semester, or work when school is not in session.

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Benefits

There are many benefits for students, but some of the highlights include:

• Most agencies offer a flexible work schedule which allows you to earn money while going to school.
• You earn vacation and sick days, just like a full-time job.
• You get on-the-job training.
• Real world experience expands on your academic studies while building your résumé.
• You provide a public service to your country.
• As a Student Career Experience appointee, you may be eligible to convert your position into a permanent job.
• One of the greatest benefits of working for the Federal government over the long-term is the ability to change positions and move between agencies.

Yes, student employees are eligible for vacation time (called annual leave) and sick time (called sick leave). This time is earned based on the number of hours you work per week.

You may be eligible for these benefits depending on the program you are in.

In general, Federal law prohibits agencies from paying for an employee’s tuition expenses. However, under certain circumstances, an agency may use their training authority to pay all or part of training expenses directly related to student’s official duties.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is finalizing regulations implementing the repayment of student loans. Under this program, agencies may pay up to $6,000 per employee per year, to a maximum of $40,000 total per employee. In return, an employee must agree to remain with the paying agency for at least 3 years.

No, most student positions do not allow for reimbursement of relocation expenses. There are a few excepted service positions that provide some financial assistance.

Housing is not provided. Students working for the Federal government must secure their own housing arrangements.

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Other Questions

Excepted service agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Postal Service, and the Tennessee Valley Authority are not subject to Title 5 of the United States Code (U.S.C.). These agencies establish their own hiring and evaluation systems. Excepted service positions are positions which are excluded from the competitive examining procedures of Title 5 U.S.C. due to the unique nature of these positions. Student appointments fall under this category. For additional information visit our Other Job Opportunities page.

GS stands for General Schedule. This is the pay system which most Federal employees fall under. There are also Wage Grade (WG) and Senior Executive Service (SES) pay schedules.

Veterans' preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans.

Veterans' preference in its present form comes from the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and is now codified in various provisions of Title 5, U.S.C. By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in hiring from competitive lists of eligible candidates, and also in retention during reductions in force.

Preference in hiring applies to permanent and temporary positions in the competitive and excepted services of the executive branch. For additional information visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans/index.htm.

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