Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP), was established to recruit high quality employees into Federal Service, to support equal employment opportunity objectives, to provide exposure to public service, and to promote education. This program includes positions in all occupational groups (Professional, Administrative, Technical, Clerical, Wage Grade) within the Service.
Regional SCEP Participants
Service's
SCEP Brochure (PDF 363KB)
SCEP Video (FLV format)
To be eligible for the SCEP, Students must be:
• At least 16 years of age.
• A U.S. citizen. Lawfully admitted resident aliens may be considered
absent qualified citizens; however, students accepted into the program as
trainees must be U.S. citizens if and when they are converted to permanent
appointments after graduation.
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of study leading
to a degree, diploma, or certificate, at an accredited high school, technical
or vocational school, two or four year college or university, graduate or
professional school.
• Taking at least a half-time course load as defined by the school.
An exception to this requirement is permitted when a student is in the final
period before graduation and needs to complete less than a half-time course
load.
• A student in good standing with the academic institution and maintain
the grade point average (GPA) requirements of the school.
Student trainees in the SCEP must:
• Meet qualifications/suitability requirements.
• Be employed by the Service in a position related to the student's
academic field study.
• Be either working for the Service, attending school, or both, at any
time during the year.
• Meet performance and conduct standards during periods of work with
the Service.
Other Program parameters include:
• A written agreement must be initiated by the Service and signed by
all parties (the student, the school, and the Service).
• The student must complete at least 640 hours (16 weeks) of career-related
work with the Service prior to completion of or concurrently with academic
course requirements.
• Appointments may be made at any grade for which a student qualifies,
under either the General Schedule or Wage Grade. Those under the General
Schedule are eligible for locality pay, and if applicable, special pay rates.
• Students are eligible for health insurance, life insurance, retirement,
and leave accrual on the same basis as permanent employees with comparable
work schedules.
• The Service may provide for financial assistance, which always includes
salary, and may include tuition assistance; travel and transportation expenses
between the school and duty station; and low or no-cost housing.
• Work schedules may be part-time, full-time, alternating, or concurrent
with course work. The work schedule should not interfere with the student's
academic schedule or progress.
After graduation, students:
• Must meet qualification standards for the target position.
• Are eligible for non-competitive conversion to a career or career
conditional appointment within 120 days of degree conferment and satisfactory
completion of SCEP requirements.
• May be converted within the Service or to a position in another Federal
agency.