Schedule A Hiring Initiative

Student Programs

BACKGROUND

The Federal government has always looked to educational institutions to find people who have the skills needed to meet its future employment needs.  Student programs attract talented students to Federal public service while providing them an opportunity to earn money and continue their education by combining their academic study with on-the-job experience.  The Social Security Administration may hire college students under the following programs:

• Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
• Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

REQUIREMENTS

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) – This program allows a Federal agency to appoint students to positions that are related to their academic field of study.  Participants who meet all the requirements of the program may be noncompetitively converted to career, or career-conditional appointments.
To be eligible for this program, a student must be:

• At least 16 years old at the time of the appointment;
• Enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college or university, or graduate or professional school;
• Pursuing one of the following degrees: associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s or equivalent graduate degree, or doctoral/Ph.D. degree;
• Enrolled in a major field of study related to his/her training and target position/occupation;
• Officially enrolled in his/her educational institution’s cooperative education program and meet the eligibility requirements throughout the duration of his/her appointment;
• Carrying at least a half-time course load as determined by the academic institution;
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
• A US citizen or lawfully admitted to the US as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed and further, that no appropriations law provisions prohibit paying the student a salary.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) – This program allows a Federal agency to provide temporary employment designed to meet the agency’s specific occupational needs and workload demands.  The program allows students to earn money while continuing their academic studies and serves as a means to encourage their interest in a career with the Federal government.

To be eligible for this program, a student must be:

• At least 16 years old at the time of the appointment;
• Enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution pursuing a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED); vocational/technical certificate; associate degree; baccalaureate degree; master’s or equivalent graduate degree or professional degree;
• Carrying at least a half-time course load during the school year as determined by the academic institution or, if the student is pursuing a high school degree or equivalent, eligible to participate in a work study program supported by his/her educational institution;
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• A United States citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed and that no appropriations law provisions prohibit paying the student a salary;

OTHER PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS
Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) – A resource available to employers nationwide to identify highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to provide their abilities in the workforce.  This program provides eligible students with an opportunity to be offered summer and permanent employment.  Students interested in more information should contact their school’s disability services or career services coordinator and ask them to contact the WRP Coordinator.

Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) – The PMF is a 2-year leadership developmental program sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and is intended to attract outstanding master’s, law, or doctoral-level students from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.  Students must be nominated by their graduate program and apply directly to OPM for admission to the program.  SSA selects qualified candidates who have been approved by OPM for participation in the program.  For more information, students should visit the OPM website at https://www.pmf.opm.gov/

Volunteer Internship Program (VIP) – The VIP provides an opportunity for high school and college students at all academic levels to gain non-paid work experience directly related to their major.  Academic credit may or may not be awarded based on their educational institutions’ requirements.