Training Policy Handbook

Student Educational Employment Program

The Student Educational Employment Program combines all student hiring authorities into two components and two appointing authorities. It has two major programs:

1. the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP), and
2. the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).

See Title 5 CFR §213.3202(a) and (b).

Student Career Experience Program

In the Student Career Experience Program students are hired to work in occupations related to their academic/career goals. They are eligible for a noncompetitive conversion to a permanent Federal position upon completion of their academic course work. Agencies may use Title 5 USC Chapter 41 and Title 5 CFR Part 410 authorities to pay for all or part of the following expenses:

1. tuition and matriculation fees,
2. library and laboratory services,
3. materials and supplies,
4. books (purchase or rental), and
5. other services directly related to training, including travel and transportation expenses from duty stations and schools and between work experiences and study. See Title 5 USC §4109 (a)(2)(B)

Such training is subject to requirement for paying for academic degrees found in Title 5 USC §4107.

A Federal agency may require a student to sign a continued service agreement to continue employment in the Federal agency for a specified period of time before accepting tuition assistance from the agency. Service in a non-pay status is not counted toward completion of the obligation unless it is at the convenience of the agency. See Title 5 USC §4108.

Students appointed under the Student Career Experience Program may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to permanent status within 120 days of completion of their academic program. Students must complete all SCEP Program requirements on or before completion of Academic program requirements.

Student Temporary Employment Program

The Student Temporary Employment Program allows an agency to appoint students on a temporary basis to jobs that may or may not be related to the student's academic field. The intent is to provide maximum flexibility and opportunity to agencies and students that will meet varying needs on a short-term basis. Agencies may use Title 5 USC Chapter 41 and Title 5 CFR Part 410 authorities to pay for all or part of the following expenses:

1. tuition and matriculation fees,
2. library and laboratory services,
3. materials and supplies,
4. books (purchase or rental), and
5. other services directly related to training, including travel and transportation expenses from duty stations and schools and between work experiences and study. See Title 5 USC §4109 (a)(2)(B)

Training Law and Veteran's Educational Assistance

Under Title 38 USC §3681, veterans' educational assistance cannot be used to pay for training when an employee is attending training paid for under training law. This statute ensures that multiple payment is not made for the same training activity. For example, a Federal agency providing training under training law to a student appointed under Title 5 CFR §213.3202 authority, who is also receiving veterans' educational assistance, must ensure that agency assistance is not provided for the same training.

This also applies to Federal fellowships, scholarships, and grants. Such a determination is necessary to protect the Government's financial interest.

An employee would not be prohibited by Title 38 USC §3681 from having one training course paid for under training law and another course taken concurrently which is paid for under the law governing veterans' educational assistance allowances. For example, an employee could receive training in computer programming under training law during duty hours while receiving an allowance from the Department of Veterans Affairs for college instruction in business administration after hours during the same academic term. The computer programming course, however, cannot be a part of the same program of study for which the employee is receiving veterans' educational assistance.