Frequently Asked Questions

UPDATED: 11/06/2008

1. Is there a minimum grade point average required to be selected as a finalist?
2. Are only certain advanced degrees considered for the PMF Program (e.g., MPA, MSW)?
3. Does the Program accept individuals with disabilities?
4. I am a non-U.S. Citizen who wishes to apply to the PMF Program, but I do not have a Social Security Number to use for the application and nomination process.  How can I apply?
5. Should applicants submit a letter of recommendation and/or a transcript when applying?
6. I lost my printed copy of the PMF Nomination Form.  How do I obtain another copy?
7. During the application process, Application Manager indicates I need to submit a “Qualifications” document.  What is the “Qualifications” document and where can I obtain one?
8. How can applicants check the status of their application and nomination?
9. I have submitted my USAJOBS resume and online questionnaire, and I have received my acknowledgement email, but Application Manager says my application is incomplete, and I can only submit once.   Have I done something wrong?
10. I realized after I submitted my online questionnaire and resume there was a mistake on my resume.  Can I submit another application with a corrected resume?
11. My “My USAJOBS” account shows my resume has been received by the PMF Program’s vacancy announcement, but Application Manager shows my application package status is incomplete.  Which one is correct?
12. How many applicants apply each year and out of that number, how many are selected as finalists?
13. How do finalists learn about possible Federal agency PMF hiring opportunities?
14. How do finalists update their online resumes for agency hiring officials to obtain?
15. Are applicants who are selected as finalists guaranteed a Federal job?
16. Do Federal agencies reimburse PMFs for their relocation costs upon appointment?
17. Do Federal agencies provide Student Loan Repayment for Fellows?
18. During the application process, I indicated who my Nomination Official is; however, the contact information is incorrect.  How do I update the Nomination Official’s contact information?
19. My Nomination Official said I was nominated, but my status in Application Manager has not changed and/or I received a notice saying I was not nominated.  What should I or the Nomination Official do now?

Q1:  Is there a minimum grade point average required to be selected as a finalist?
A1:  No, there is no minimum grade point average required to be selected as a finalist. However, colleges or universities must establish their own competitive nomination processes to ensure the best candidates from their programs are nominated.  They may take grade point average into consideration during the competitive nomination process.

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Q2:  Are only certain advanced degrees considered for the PMF Program (e.g., MPA, MSW)?
A2:  No. Graduate students from all academic disciplines who expect to complete an advanced degree from a qualifying college or university by August 31 of the academic year in which the competition is held are eligible to apply to the PMF Program.

At the time an applicant applies to the PMF Program, the majority of applicants have not fully completed their graduate degree requirements.  However, an agency may not appoint a finalist as a Fellow until he/she has met all graduate degree requirements including all course work, final papers, exams, and any required thesis or dissertation.  If a finalist does not complete all degree requirements by August 31 of the year in which the finalist was selected, the finalist’s status is terminated.  Applicants may only apply once to the program, per graduate degree.

Q3:  Does the Program accept individuals with disabilities?
A3:  Yes. The Federal Government is an equal opportunity employer.  Hiring and advancement are based on qualifications and performance, regardless of race, color, marital status, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.  Reasonable accommodations are provided to applicants with disabilities.  If a reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the application and assessment process, please notify OPM by sending an email to PMFApplication@opm.gov.  Applicants should be prepared to provide supporting documentation, if applicable.  Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Q4:  I am a non-U.S. Citizen who wishes to apply to the PMF Program, but I do not have a Social Security Number to use for the application and nomination process.  How can I apply?
A4:  Non-U.S. Citizen applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and wish to apply to the PMF Program must contact the PMF Program Office, by sending an email to PMFApplication@opm.gov, requesting a temporary 9-digit number to use for the Social Security Number field during the application and nomination process.

Q5:  Should applicants submit a letter of recommendation and/or a transcript when applying?
A5:  No.  Do not submit these documents to the PMF Program Office.  The PMF Program does not consider letters of recommendation, endorsements, or transcripts as part of its application and assessment processes.  However, if ultimately selected as a finalist, some participating Federal Agencies may request a transcript to ensure fulfillment of graduate degree requirements and education qualifications.

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Q6:  I lost my printed copy of the PMF Nomination Form.  How do I obtain another copy?
A6:  A blank/customized version of the PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300) can be obtained from the "How to Apply\PMF Application" webpage, as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file.  The form is customized by pre-populating the Vacancy Identification Number applicable for the current application season.  Print the form and fill out the remaining data fields before submitting to the Nomination Official.  The blank form is not available after the nomination deadline.

Q7:  During the application process, Application Manager indicates I need to submit a “Qualifications” document.  What is the “Qualifications” document and where can I obtain one?
A7:  The “Qualifications” document identified by Application Manager (https://applicationmanager.gov) is the PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300).   Applicants can obtain a pre-populated PMF Nomination Form on the “Upload Documents” page in Application Manager.   Applicants are asked to follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the vacancy announcement on how to obtain this form.   Applicants should have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or better to open and print this form.   If you did not obtain a pre-populated form, a blank version of the form is available under the “How to Apply\PMF Application” section on this website.  Instructions on how to locate the appropriate Federal Title IV School Code can also be found under the “How to Apply\PMF Application” section on this website, up to the nomination deadline.  The form must be completed and given to your Nomination Official prior to any nomination deadlines established by your school.  The blank form is not available after the nomination deadline.

Q8:  How can applicants check the status of their application and nomination?
A8:  During the application process, applicants are asked to either create an Application Manager (https://applicationmanager.gov) account or log into their existing Application Manager account.  Application Manager allows applicants to view their linked resume, complete the qualifications questionnaire, submit supporting documents for veterans’ preference (if applicable), and check the status of their PMF Nomination Form.  Please read additional information about Application Manager under the “How to Apply\Program and Application Overview” section on this website.

NOTE:  When checking the status of your application, under the "Checklist" tab in Application Manager, the "Written Test" represents the "assessment process" and should be ignored during the application process; the "Assessment Questionnaire" represents the "Qualifications Questionnaire" and is required to complete your application package; "Veterans Documentation" is only required from those applicants claiming veterans' preference; and, "Qualification" represents the "PMF Nomination Form" as explained above.  Your application is not complete until all required documents are submitted.

If a Nomination Official finds the applicant qualified for nomination and formally nominates by submission of the signed PMF Nomination Form, the applicant’s “Qualifications” status in Application Manager will change to “Awaiting Results – You will be notified”.  All nominations are reviewed before official notification is sent to all applicants on their eligibility and nomination status.  Submission of a nomination may take a few business days before it is associated with an applicant’s record.  If an applicant’s status does not change, he/she may not have been nominated.  Applicants should consult their Nomination Official for any questions.

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Q9:  I have submitted my USAJOBS resume and online questionnaire, and I have received my acknowledgement email, but Application Manager says my application is incomplete, and I can only submit once.  Have I done something wrong?
A9:  Until such time as your school’s Nomination Official submits your PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300), the “Application Package Status” screen in Application Manager (https://applicationmanager.gov) will indicate your application is incomplete.  Please allow a few business days after the nomination deadline before checking to see if your application package status has changed from “Incomplete” to “Complete”.  All applicants will be informed via email on whether or not nominated (approximately 3-4 weeks after the nomination deadline).

Q10:  I realized after I submitted my online questionnaire and resume there was a mistake on my resume.  Can I submit another application with a corrected resume?
A10:  Once you have linked your resume, completed the qualifications questionnaire, and submitted your application, you cannot submit another online application for the Presidential Management Fellows Program.  Only finalists can submit updated resumes from the date of their selection as finalists.  Finalists are provided instructions on how to submit an updated resume under the “How to Apply\Program and Application Overview” section on this website.

Q11:  My “My USAJOBS” account shows my resume has been received by the PMF Program’s vacancy announcement, but Application Manager shows my application package status is incomplete.  Which one is correct?
A11:  Your USAJOBS application tracker will only indicate if your USAJOBS resume has been submitted for a given announcement.  By contrast, Application Manager (https://applicationmanager.gov) will provide you with a detailed listing of what items have been submitted as part of your application package for the PMF Program.  Applicants should utilize Application Manager to check the status of their application.  During the applicant filing period, you must ensure your online questionnaire and resume are submitted by the application deadline.  Should your school decide to nominate you for the PMF Program, your PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300) must be submitted by your Nomination Official via fax by the nomination deadline.  A complete application will include a resume, online questionnaire, and qualifications document (i.e., the PMF Nomination Form).  Individuals claiming veterans’ preference should also submit their documentation by the nomination deadline.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to monitor their Application Manager “Application Package Status” screen during the application and nomination periods.

NOTE:  When checking the status of your application, under the "Checklist" tab in Application Manager, the "Written Test" represents the "assessment process" and should be ignored during the application process; the "Assessment Questionnaire" represents the "Qualifications Questionnaire" and is required to complete your application package; "Veterans Documentation" is only required from those applicants claiming veterans' preference; and, "Qualification" represents the "PMF Nomination Form" as explained above.  Your application is not complete until all required documents are submitted.

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Q12:  How many applicants apply each year and out of that number, how many are selected as finalists?
A12:  Over the years, the PMF Program has seen an increase in the number of applicants.  The number of applicants has ranged from approximately 3,000 to more than 3,600, and the number of finalists has varied from 535 to 754.  For the past three years, approximately 60% obtained appointments as Fellows.

Q13:  How do finalists learn about possible Federal agency PMF hiring opportunities?
A13:  PMF positions are posted to an online job bank, the PMF Projected Positions System (PPS), on the PMF website throughout the year.  In addition, a Job Fair conducted exclusively for finalists is held in the Washington, DC, area in the spring of the year finalists are notified.  Federal agency representatives attend the Job Fair and discuss their PMF hiring opportunities with finalists who attend.  Finalists do not have to attend the Job Fair to secure a PMF appointment, but the Job Fair is an excellent source of Federal agency contacts for finalists.  Many agencies will review resumes and contact finalists directly to arrange phone interviews, meetings during the Job Fair, and/or to make appointment offers.  Agencies are not required to post positions in the PPS.

Q14:  How do finalists update their online resumes for agency hiring officials to obtain?
A14:  Instructions for finalists to submit updated resumes can be found under the “How to Apply\Program and Application Overview” section on this website.  The PMF website does not communicate directly with USAJOBS to query updated online resumes, so finalists must submit updated resumes directly to the PMF website, as well as USAJOBS.  When an authorized agency user logs into the PMF website to conduct a search on the finalist pool and selects a specific resume, the system will pull the latest version of the finalists’ online resume from the PMF website’s depository.  The depository is first populated with the initial resume finalists submitted during the application period.  Once a finalist submits an updated resume, it may take a few business days before it is available to the agencies.

Q15:  Are applicants who are selected as finalists guaranteed a Federal job?
A15:  No. Being selected as a finalist grants eligibility for a PMF appointment by a Federal agency, but finalists are not guaranteed a Federal job.  Finalists have up to one year upon their selection as finalists to obtain a fellowship appointment.  After the one year deadline, finalists can use their USAJOBS online resume to competitively apply for Federal positions on USAJOBS (www.USAJOBS.gov) outside of the PMF Program.

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Q16:  Do Federal agencies reimburse PMFs for their relocation costs upon appointment?
A16:  Each Federal agency determines whether it will pay relocation costs.  Finalists should inquire with participating agencies before accepting an appointment offer.

Q17:  Do Federal agencies provide Student Loan Repayment for Fellows?
A17:  Federal agencies are authorized to repay student loans under the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program, as provided for in part 537 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.  The amount paid by the agency is subject to the following maximum limits:  (1) $10,000 per employee per calendar year, and (2) a total of $60,000 per employee.  Presidential Management Fellows are eligible to receive student loan repayments; however, these programs are agency-specific.  Finalists should ask the hiring agency if it participates in this program when interviewing for appointments.

Q18:   During the application process, I indicated who my Nomination Official is; however, the contact information is incorrect.  How do I update the Nomination Official’s contact information?
A18:  Applicants should send an email to PMFApplication@opm.gov to update their Nomination Official’s contact information.  Please provide the following information:  your name, your graduate school, your college/university, the primary graduate degree referenced in your application, and the Nomination Official’s name, title, mailing address, email address, and phone number.

Q19:  My Nomination Official said I was nominated, but my status in Application Manager has not changed and/or I received a notice saying I was not nominated.  What should I or the Nomination Official do now?
A19:  If a Nomination Official found an applicant qualified, decides to nominate, fills out the PMF Nomination Form, and faxes the form by the nomination deadline, the fax server may take several business days to associate the PMF Nomination Form to the applicant’s record.  If an applicant’s status does not change and/or receives a notice stating he/she was not nominated after the nomination deadline, he/she should consult with their Nomination Official.  If the Nomination Official has documented proof of the fax transmission (e.g., a fax confirmation receipt) as well as the original completed PMF Nomination Form, he/she should send an email to PMFApplication@opm.gov stating such proof and requesting the applicant’s nomination status to be changed.  We will respond back to the Nomination Official asking him/her to submit the documented proof of the fax transmission and the PMF Nomination Form to a special fax number for verification.  Applicants and Nomination Officials will have one week from notices going out to provide such documentation when a nomination is in question.

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