PMF - Presidential Management Fellows

• Overview and Timeline
• Application Process
• Assessment Process
• Find a Job
• Eligibility
• Current Semi-Finalists
• Current Finalists
• FAQs

Become a PMF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following FAQs are directed towards current class applicants. FAQs pertaining to Finalists can be found in the Current Finalists section.

1. I have already completed my advance degree and heard about the PMF Program. Can I still apply? What about clerkships or Fulbright scholarships?
2. Is there a minimum grade point average required to be selected as a Finalist?
3. Are only certain advanced degrees considered for the PMF Program (e.g., MPA, MSW)?
4. Does the Program accept individuals with disabilities?
5. 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?
6. Should applicants submit a letter of recommendation and/or a transcript when applying?
7. I lost my printed copy of the PMF Nomination Form. How do I obtain another copy?
8. During the application process, Application Manager indicates I need to submit a "Qualifications (Other)" document. What is the "Qualifications (Other)" document and where can I obtain one?
9. How can I check the status of my application and nomination?
10. I have submitted my resume and on-line 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?
11. 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?
12. I realized after I submitted my on-line questionnaire and resume there was a mistake on my resume. Can I submit another application with a corrected resume?
13. My "My USAJOBS" account shows my resume has been received for the PMF Program's announcement, but Application Manager shows my application package status is incomplete. Which one is correct?
14. How many applicants apply each year and out of that number, how many are selected as Finalists?
15. How do Finalists learn about possible Federal Agency PMF hiring opportunities? Where are the positions located?
16. How do Finalists update their on-line resumes for agency hiring officials to obtain?
17. Are applicants who are selected as Finalists guaranteed a Federal job?
18. Do Federal Agencies reimburse PMFs for their relocation costs upon appointment?
19. Do Federal Agencies provide Student Loan Repayment for Fellows?
20. After applying and being nominated into the PMF Program, I just realized I will not complete or successfully defend my thesis or dissertation before the August 31st deadline, what happens to my eligibility? What happens if I'm a Finalist in the same situation?
21. I am a semi-finalist and scheduled for the in-person phase of the assessment process. Who do I contact if I lost my scheduling notice and/or need to reschedule?
22. My school wants a copy of my application as part of their nomination process. How do I do that?
23. In regards to the in-person assessment, what should semi-finalists do for inclement weather and/or emergencies impacting the assessment center location?
24. Can Finalists search for a PMF appointment via USAJOBS, find positions on USAJOBS and apply as a Finalist, or find a position on USAJOBS and contact the Human Resources office to make the position a PMF appointment?
25. I am a veteran student interested in applying to the PMF Program. How do I claim veterans' preference and provide supporting documentation?

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1. I have already completed my advance degree and heard about the PMF Program. Can I still apply? What about clerkships or Fulbright scholarships?

Unfortunately, based on current PMF Program regulations and policies if you do not complete your graduate degree requirements (including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation) between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012, you are ineligible to apply. Participating in a clerkship or Fulbright scholarship does not meet the eligibility requirements. However, you may explore other Federal opportunities by going to  www.usajobs.gov .

2. Is there a minimum grade point average required to be selected as a Finalist?

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.

3. Are only certain advanced degrees considered for the PMF Program (e.g., MPA, MSW)?

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.

The majority of applicants have not fully completed their graduate degree requirements when they apply for the Program. However, an agency may not appoint a Finalist as a Fellow (bring onboard) 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.

4. Does the Program accept individuals with disabilities?

Yes. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

5. 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?

You will need to contact the PMF Program Office  by sending an email to pmfapplication@opm.gov to request a temporary 9-digit number to use for the Social Security Number field during the application process. Please refer to the Become A PMF\Eligibility\Citizenship section of the website for additional details for non-U.S. citizens.

6. Should applicants submit a letter of recommendation and/or a transcript when applying?

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, participating Federal Agencies may request a transcript to ensure fulfillment of graduate degree requirements and education qualifications.

7. I lost my printed copy of the PMF Nomination Form. How do I obtain another copy?

A blank/customized version of the PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300) can be found in the Application Process section. 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. Handwritten forms are acceptable. The blank form is not available after the nomination deadline.

If you need to use the "Blank PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300)", you will need to enter the "Federal Title IV School Code". This code is used by the U.S. Department of Education to associate schools accepting financial aid and serves as a means in identifying accredited institutions. The codes can be found at the Federal Student Aid website at https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/schoolSearch?locale=en_En , from your school's Financial Aid Office, by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID, or at any public library. If your graduate school is located outside the United States and you cannot find a School Code, enter "999999" (six nines). NOTE: When searching for foreign schools at the Federal Student Aid website, select "Foreign Country" in the "State" drop-down menu; you may need to search for the parent college/university. The PMF Program Office will review all such nominees and contact them if documentation from a credential evaluation service is required. (See Education Completed Outside of the United States section.)

NOTE:  Applicants should obtain the pre-populated version of the PMF Nomination Form during the application process. The version on the PMF website is intended for applicants to use if they encounter a technical problem during the application process or lose their original. See FAQ No. 8 below.

8. During the application process, Application Manager indicates I need to submit a "Qualifications (Other)" document. What is the "Qualifications (Other)" document and where can I obtain one?

The "Qualifications" document identified by Application Manager ( applicationmanager.gov ) is the PMF Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300), this should not be confused with the "Assessment Questionnaire" referenced in the job opportunity announcement. NOTE: The category type of "Qualifications" may change to "Other" after planned systems upgrades take effect for Application Manager in October 2011. Applicants can obtain a pre-populated PMF Nomination Form by clicking the link near the bottom of the "Upload Documents" page in Application Manager prior to the job announcement closing. Applicants are asked to follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the announcement to obtain this form. Applicants should have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher to open and print this form; the use of Adobe Acrobat is what pre-populates the form with your application information. NOTE: Applicants should ignore any reference to uploading a "Qualifications (Other)" Document Type under the "Upload Documents" section of Application Manager.

If you did not obtain a pre-populated form, a blank version of the form is available in the Application Process section. Instructions on how to locate the appropriate Federal Title IV School Code can also be found in the FAQ No. 7 above. 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.

9. How can I check the status of my application and nomination?

During the application process, you were asked to either create an Application Manager ( applicationmanager.gov ) account or log into an existing Application Manager account. Application Manager allows you to view your submitted resume, questionnaire responses, supporting documents for veterans' preference (if applicable), and check the status of the PMF Nomination Form. You must use the Application Manager account to check your status. The PMF Program Office staff cannot access or check on the status of applicants during the application and nomination processes. Any application, nomination, assessment, and selection questions should be sent via email to pmfapplication@opm.gov. Inquiries sent to the PMF Program Office will be redirected to the pmfapplication@opm.gov address.

NOTE: When checking the status of your application, under the "Checklist" tab in Application Manager, references to the "Written Test" represents the "assessment process" and should be ignored during the application process; "Veterans Documentation" is only required from those applicants claiming veterans' preference; and, "Qualifications (Other)" is synonymous with "PMF Nomination Form" as explained above. Your application is not complete until all required documents are submitted. The category type of "Qualifications" may change to "Other" after planned systems upgrades take affect for Application Manager in October 2011. 

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 (Other)" status in Application Manager will change from "Incomplete - missing required documents" to "Awaiting Results - You will be notified". All nominations are reviewed before official notification is sent to all applicants on their nomination status via email. 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.

10. I have submitted my resume and on-line 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?

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 ( 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". You will be informed via email whether or not you were nominated (approximately 3-4 weeks after the nomination deadline). Please review the rest of these FAQs for additional information. NOTE: The PMF Program uses Application Manager for the PMF application process. Do NOT rely on "My USAJOBS" to inform you that your application is complete.

11. 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?

If the Nomination Official has documented proof of the fax transmission (e.g., a fax transmission confirmation receipt) as well as the original completed PMF Nomination Form, the Nomination Official should send copies of both via an email to pmfapplication@opm.gov, stating such proof and requesting the applicant's nomination status to be changed, or request a separate dedicated fax number to fax copies to. Applicants and Nomination Officials will have one week from notices going out to provide such documentation when a nomination is in question.

12. I realized after I submitted my on-line questionnaire and resume there was a mistake on my resume. Can I submit another application with a corrected resume?

Once you have submitted your resume, completed the assessment questionnaire, and submitted your application, you cannot submit another on-line application. 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 in the Find a Job section. We collect the resume upfront in order to create your resume account when selecting Finalists.

13. My "My USAJOBS" account shows my resume has been received for the PMF Program's job announcement, but Application Manager shows my application package status is incomplete. Which one is correct?

Application Manager ( 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 on-line 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, on-line assessment questionnaire, and qualifications (other) 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. The category type of "Qualifications" may change to "Other" after planned systems upgrades take affect for Application Manager in October 2011.

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

14. How many applicants apply each year and out of that number, how many are selected as Finalists?

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 9,000, and the number of Finalists has averaged 835. For the past few years, applicants have averaged a 1 in 10 chance of becoming a PMF; approximately 60% of Finalists obtain appointments as Fellows.

15. How do Finalists learn about possible Federal Agency PMF hiring opportunities? Where are the positions located?

PMF positions are posted to an on-line 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 metro area shortly after 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, schedule interviews during the Job Fair, and/or to make appointment offers. Agencies are not required to post positions in the PPS and not all agencies participate at the Job Fair.

Most PMF appointments are located in the Washington, DC metro area. Agencies will post available positions in the geographic locations they have a need to fill. Finalists will be able to search for available positions by geographic location and agencies will be able to search Finalist resumes by geographic employment preference.

Though the bulk of PMF appointments are a result of the Job Fair, agencies post available positions throughout the year. Typically a boost in the number of positions occurs shortly after the beginning of a fiscal year (October) when agencies adjust their staffing and budget forecasts.

16. How do Finalists update their on-line resumes for agency hiring officials to obtain?

Instructions for "Finalists" to submit updated resumes can be found in the Find a Job section. The PMF website does not communicate directly with USAJOBS to query updated on-line resumes, so Finalists must submit updated resumes according to the instructions in the Find a Job section.. 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' on-line resume from a depository. The depository is first populated with the initial resume the applicant 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. Please note the orientation on how you fax your resume. The fax server scans your resume exactly as it is received. Some Finalists fax their resumes with the bottom of the page going through the machine first and we are unable to rotate them in the automated system. Finalists can check the status of their updated resume by looking in their Application Manager account.

17. Are applicants who are selected as Finalists guaranteed a Federal job?

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 from their selection as Finalists to obtain a fellowship appointment. After the one year deadline, Finalists can use USAJOBS to competitively apply for Federal positions on ( www.usajobs.gov ), outside of the PMF Program.

18. Do Federal Agencies reimburse PMFs for their relocation costs upon appointment?

Each Federal agency determines whether it will pay relocation costs. Finalists should inquire with participating agencies before accepting an appointment offer.

19. Do Federal Agencies provide Student Loan Repayment or Loan Forgiveness for Fellows?

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. Additional information about the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program can be found at www.opm.gov/oca/pay/StudentLoan/ . Information about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found at studentaid.ed.gov .

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20. After applying and being nominated into the PMF Program, I just realized I will not complete or successfully defend my thesis or dissertation before the August 31st deadline, what happens to my eligibility?

You may be eligible to reapply based on the same advanced degree if you withdraw from further consideration before you take the on-line assessment. Send your request via email to pmfapplication@opm.gov stating your situation, along with your contact information, and a staff member will contact you. If you are a Finalist in the same situation, you will need to send an email to the PMF Program Office at pmf@opm.gov, explaining the situation and also provide supporting documentation from the school (from a school official on school letterhead) supporting your situation. Upon receipt, the PMF Program Office will review and contact you for any additional questions before facilitating a decision from OPM.

21. I am a semi-finalist and scheduled for the in-person phase of the assessment process. Who do I contact if I lost my scheduling notice and/or need to reschedule?

Semi-finalists should contact OPM's Nationwide Testing Contact Center at 866-458-3838 (toll-free) or by email at FedTest@opm.gov to obtain a copy of their Test Admission Notice and/or to reschedule. The Contact Center's business hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Eastern Time). Please do not contact the PMF Program Office directly. If a semi-finalist needs to reschedule, he/she will be provided an alternative date and time based on availability on the assessment center location's schedule. If the original location cannot be accommodated, a semi-finalist may be able to reschedule to the Washington, DC, location if space is available and at their expense. If the semi-finalist is unable to participate, his/her in-person assessment will not be scored and will lose further consideration.

22. My school wants a copy of my application as part of their nomination process. How do I do this?

You have the ability to select the "View/Print My Answers" option in your Application Manager account, which will only display your answers to the Questionnaire. There is no single document where you can print you full "application" to submit to schools. Schools may not be familiar with the application process when making such requests.

23. In regards to the in-person assessment, what should semi-finalists do for inclement weather and/or emergencies impacting the assessment center location?

If the Federal Government "closes" (with no option for unscheduled leave/telework) in the city where the assessment is being held, the assessment center will be cancelled and semi-finalists will be rescheduled for another date. If the Federal Government announces "unscheduled leave/unscheduled telework" for a specific city, the scheduled assessments for that city will continue since assessments cannot be conducted virtually. If the Federal Government announces a "delayed arrival" in the city where the assessment is being held, semi-finalists should do their best (as is reasonable/safe) to report to the assessment site on time. And if the Federal Government announces an "early departure" in any of the cities, the assessment center's Site Coordinator will make appropriate announcements. Assessment Center Site Coordinators will make the call for semi-finalists who arrive late, as to whether the semi-finalist can be assessed that day or will need to be rescheduled for a later date. Every effort will be made to accommodate semi-finalists. The PMF Program Office will post any changes to an assessment center's location based on inclement weather and/or emergencies to the News & Events section on this site as soon as practical. See FAQ No. 21 above in regards to rescheduling. 

24. Can Finalists search for a PMF appointment via USAJOBS, find positions on USAJOBS and apply as a Finalist, or find a position on USAJOBS and contact the Human Resources office to make the position a PMF appointment?

25. I am a veteran student interested in applying to the PMF Program. How do I claim veterans' preference and provide supporting documentation?

UPDATED: 11-04-2011, 4:15 PM (ET)