Form G-1235 (10/06/11) Page 1 of 4
Form G-1235, Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
Working Agreement
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Student's Full Name (print):
USCIS
Form G-1235
Assigned Position (title, series, & grade):
Assigned Program Office:
Expected completion of educational and work requirements (mm/dd/yyyy):
Major Studies:
Educational Institution Enrollment:
Telephone Number:
Supervisor's Name:
PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT
The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) is an educational program that provides the integration of a student's academic
studies and Federal work experience with the potential of noncompetitive conversion into the Federal career service. The anticipated
result of this agreement is that each party will assist the other in the accomplishment of its objectives. For the institution, such
objectives are primarily educational in nature. USCIS is primarily concerned with utilizing the Student Career Experience Program to
meet its short-term and long-term staffing needs, while being fully committed to the development of the student. The student is
primarily concerned with directly applying his/her educational background in a work setting to gain on-the-job experience. This
agreement provides a basis for developing mutual understanding and respective responsibilities among the student, the educational
institution, and USCIS.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS AGREEMENT
THE PROGRAM OFFICE WILL:
1. Designate a staff member to serve as a liaison with the school.
2. Establish a work schedule to accommodate the student's school requirements.
3. Orient the student to the USCIS mission, policies, and procedures.
4. Provide quality work assignments related to the student's academic studies.
5. Assign the student to supervisors who will provide on-the-job training, counsel the student regarding his/her performance,
conduct appraisals, share progress reports with the educational institution, and complete necessary forms for the institution.
6. Process all personnel actions relating to the student's employment and keep all necessary employment records.
7. Notify the school of any change in the student's status.
Form G-1235 (10/06/11) Page 2 of 4
THE STUDENT WILL:
1. Adhere to the USCIS' work schedules and the SCEP policies and procedures.
2. Assume personal and professional responsibility for actions and activities.
3. Maintain academic performance and conduct standards set forth by the school and USCIS.
4. Provide the school's coordinators with periodic progress reports on the quality of work and study assignments in a timely
manner.
5. Work effectively with peers and supervisors.
7. Provide the immediate supervisor with documentation of continued enrollment and/or documentation of good academic
standing if requested, within 15 business days of request. [Failure to do so will result in the student's termination based on non-
eligibility for the student appointment.]
STUDENT'S WORK SCHEDULE
(Indicate number of course credit hours):
FULL TIME: PART TIME:
STUDENT'S ACADEMIC SCHEDULE
FULL TIME: PART TIME:
USCIS: Attach the objectives of the student's work assignment as well as the anticipated tasks that will be assigned to the student.
Expected completion of academic requirements (mm/dd/yyyy):
CONDITIONS OF STUDENT EMPLOYMENT (SCEP)
1. Student Eligibility - The student must:
a. Be sixteen (16) years of age.
b. Be a citizen of the U.S.
c. Be enrolled, at least half-time, in an accredited high school or pursuing a degree, diploma, certificate, etc. in a technical or
vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school, or participate in an accredited or
State-certified home-school (high school students only).
d. Be studying in a field that is closely related to the job for which he/she is being considered.
e. Maintain good academic standing of at least a “C” average 2.0 out of 4.0 grade point average (GPA).
f. Meet the qualification standards as well as (any) physical and security requirements for the position.
g. Provide a signed formal agreement.
2. Appointment
The student's appointment is an excepted Schedule B appointment which extends from the initial appointment to a date not to
exceed 120 days after completion of the education and study-related work requirements. This appointment may not be
extended.
6. Notify the school and his/her immediate supervisor of changes in status immediately.
Form G-1235 (10/06/11) Page 3 of 4
3. Student Work Schedules
a. Work will be scheduled consistent with the student's academic studies or career goals and be designed to meet minimum
study-related work hours (640) required for conversion. Under certain conditions, and upon approval by USCIS, the student
may obtain a waiver of up to 320 work hours of the 640 hour minimum service requirement.
b. The student may work full time or part-time.
c. The student must be taking at least a half-time academic/vocational/or technical course load in an accredited high school,
technical or vocational school, 2 year or 4 year college or university, or graduate or professional school. The definition of
half-time is the definition provided by the school in which the student is enrolled.
4. Pay and Benefits - The student:
a. Is paid based on his/her education and experience and in accordance with established pay schedules.
b. Is paid for holidays that fall within his/her work schedule and for any authorized overtime.
c. Will earn sick and annual leave at authorized rates, military leave, as appropriate, and will be placed on leave-without-pay
during any “break in program” approved by the immediate supervisor.
d. Is eligible for promotion to higher-graded, student positions. Promotion is at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, but
the student must meet all qualification requirements, with the exception of time-in-grade.
e. Will be covered by Social Security (FICA), as well as the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) if first
appointment is after 1/1/84.
f. Is eligible for life insurance and health benefits coverage.
g. May elect to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan upon appointment although there is a waiting period for the receipt of
matching funds.
h. May be assisted with training expenses, if related to official duties, as well as travel and transportation costs between duty
station and school, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor.
5. Performance Appraisal
The student will receive performance appraisals in accordance with the USCIS Performance Management Program, and is
based on at least 320 hours of service under a SCEP appointment. Appraisals may be shared with the school, if requested.
6. Employment Requirements After Completion of the Student Career Experience Program
a. The immediate supervisor may non-competitively promote and/or convert the student to a career, career-conditional, or term
appointment within 120 days after completion of educational requirements and satisfactory completion of 640 hours of
study-related work. Under specific circumstances, and upon approval by USCIS, the student may be credited with up to 320
hours towards completing the 640 hour minimum service requirement. Consult the servicing HCT Specialist for additional
information.
b. Appointments are subject to all requirements and conditions governing term, career, or career-conditional employment,
including background investigations and OPM and USCIS qualification standards for the targeted position.
c. The student who non-competitively converts to a term appointment may also be non-competitively converted to a career or
career-conditional appointment before the term appointment expires.
d. The student's requirement must be met before completion of, or concurrently with, the course requirements. The work
requirement may not be met by working after completion of course requirements.
e. The student must meet U.S. citizenship and employment of relatives requirements (if applicable) by the date of the
conversion.
Form G-1235 (10/06/11) Page 4 of 4
f. Conversions must be to an occupation related to the student's academic training and career related work experience.
g. Although every effort will be made to convert the student into a permanent position in the same occupation in USCIS,
sometimes it is not administratively feasible to place all USCIS Student Career Experience Program students. When not
feasible, USCIS may recommend noncompetitive conversion in another Federal Agency provided all parties agree that the
appointment is in the best interest of the government.
7. Termination
a. The student's appointment may be terminated for performance or conduct reasons, and will be terminated for failure to
maintain eligibility in the Student Career Experience Program.
b. The student is covered under Tenure Group 2 for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) purposes, and is accorded the same retention
rights as excepted service employees. He/she may be eligible for severance pay if separated under RIF.
c. The student's appointment will be terminated if he/she is not converted within 120 days after satisfactory completion of
educational requirements, as he/she has no vested right to remain employed and no mandatory right to be non-competitively
converted to the competitive service.
d. The student will be terminated for failure to provide documentation (i.e. agreements, verification letter, transcripts, and
enrollment letters) within the requested time frames.
The conditions of this agreement are in conformity with Federal regulations. Changes not required by law or regulation will be made
only by mutual consent of USCIS, the school named in this agreement, and the student named in this agreement. This agreement
becomes effective upon signature of all three parties, and the submission of all required materials as stipulated in this agreement.
USCIS HCT Representative:
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)Signature Print Name
School:
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)Signature Print Name
Supervisor:
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)Signature Print Name
Student:
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)Signature Print Name
(HCT Office Use)
Agreement Creation Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Revision Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
*Failure to complete this agreement will result in termination.