OPM Finalizes Student Hiring Rule; Tech Force Offers Coming Soon

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) finalized a rule to make it easier for the federal government to hire college students and eventually convert them into full-time employees.

The final rule implements a provision under the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to provide agencies with more flexibility in recruiting early-career talent and largely aligns with interim regulations released in 2021. 

“The intended effect of the authority is to provide additional flexibility in hiring eligible and qualified individuals,” wrote OPM in the rule. 

Under the rule, college students can work for a federal agency while simultaneously taking college classes, if they are at a GS-11 level or below. The students can be converted into permanent employees if certain requirements are met, including earning a college degree and working 640 hours in their federal position. In addition, veterans’ preference does not apply. 

Changes from the Interim Rule

OPM is now allowing students to take a “break in program” to allow students to work full time, pause their agency work to study full time, or take a short break from both. Agencies have discretion over such breaks and a return to school is required.

“A student who is withdrawing from enrollment at an educational institution and has no plans or intention to return … should not be approved for a break in program,” stated the rule.

Also removed was a Biden-era requirement that agencies report to Congress and OPM the number of appointments and separations made under the authority, as well as agency recruitment updates. 

And OPM is allowing some extensions for term appointments beyond the standard four years, when approved by the home agency.

Under the authority, agencies are limited to a number of hires equal to 15 percent of the total number of students appointed the previous year.

The rule takes full effect March 23, 2026. 

Tech Force Roundtable

Meanwhile, OPM hosted a roundtable at the White House to discuss the U.S. Tech Force, a recruiting effort designed to hire more technology workers in the federal government. 

In attendance were senior leaders from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Federal Chief Information Officer and Chief AI Officer Greg Barbaccia, as well as agency leaders and industry partners. 

Participants discussed ways to grow the next generation of federal tech leaders and opportunities for digital transformation across the government. Attendees also heard real-world examples of public-private cooperation.

Applications for the U.S. Tech Force are currently being reviewed. The first offers may go out as soon as March 1.