Things to look at...the phrase "recruitment or retention incentive highly qualified personnel." yes, but what is considered highly qualified? Do you have the answer...
Generally if a student loan repayment program would be in effect for you, it would be under the job announcement in which you are applying..."a recruitment incentive."
Notice the difference in these two job announcements: Here is a copied section of a PUBNAT announcement:
Air Traffic Control Specialist (Developmental)
New employees are eligible for benefits including health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). They also earn sick and annual leave.
OTHER INFORMATION:
No Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses will be paid.
ATCS's are required to attend the initial qualifications training at the FAA Academy and will be placed on temporary excepted appointments not to exceed thirteen (13) months while attending training. The actual duration of time-limited appointment for each individual will be based on the amount of time required to complete the training program. The enroute training program requires 53 classroom days.
Newly hired ATCS's will be paid the long term expense rate (per diem) for Oklahoma City, OK to help offset the daily cost of living at the FAA Academy. The FAA will also pay for the cost of travel in accordance with applicable agency travel policy.
Individuals, who successfully complete initial qualification training at the FAA Academy and all other requirements for continuing employment, including evaluations required by the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), may be given permanent appointments as developmental ATCS's at their assigned en route facility. They will receive salary increases as they complete subsequent phases of training. Individuals who do not successfully complete training at the FAA Academy and all other requirements for continuing employment will have their employment terminated.
Notice....no mention of student loan repayment....but according to a student at the academy they still go over it during orientation, although there are no management or program analyst in orientation.....
Here is a copy of another job announcement:
Management & Program Analyst
BENEFITS:
Comprehensive health and life insurance.
Competitive salaries.
Generous retirement programs.
Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
Flexible work environment and alternate work schedules.
Paid employment related training and education.
Possible student loan repayment. and I said don't count on it
Bonuses, incentives, and awards as appropriate for the job.
FAA offers programs that support telecommuting to accommodate medical, family, commuter needs, or clean air programs.
You will be eligible for membership in various Federal Credit unions.
Day care facility located on site.
FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to certain newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave accrual is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee.
And as you can see...even under that announcement...it says Possible student loan repayment.and I said don't count on it
I think they are referring to people that are progressing up within the FAA and the FAA offers them this as a way to continue to progress or not leave the FAA for another branch of the government or a civilian job....notice that it says an incentive, not something mandatory or even available to everyone. I never said it was manddatory or availbale to everyone
I didn't say that you did say it was mandatory or available to everyone...I just made a statement based off of what was on the OPM website, merely stating that it is an "incentive."
I haven't heard of anyone in the FAA receiving help to repay student loans that they accrued prior to service. oh, so your Mr. Popularity and you know everyone..and I only know one person that received partial repayment of a degree they were currently seeking in the FAA, and that person was pretty high up in the FAA at the time of school.
Ease up there a little bit chief. I again stated....I haven't heard of anyone...of course I don't know everyone....I just haven't heard of anyone. I'm just providing this guy asking questions with as much information as I know about this process. I would hate for him to get misinformed thinking he will get his loans repaid and it doesn't work out. He is entitled to as much information that can be given to him and we don't need to ridicule the guy for asking a question that wasn't left fully answered in the first place.
We need to help these new guys out as they are coming in with all sorts of questions...questions that might seem obvious to some, but aren't for a person that has never been through this process. You could be a little more supportive and helpful, instead of bashing.
I'll do my best to answer the questions to the best of my ability. Don't take me responding to your post as bashing you...I'm just presenting him with all the information I know so he can be informed as possible.