Hiring Authority for Post-Secondary Students

In February 2026, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) finalized a regulation that the Biden administration had proposed in 2021 but had not issued as a final regulation. The regulation implements a law Congress enacted to allow the federal government to employ degree-seeking students in higher education programs without regard to certain normally applicable legal requirements for hiring. These positions are term-limited but can be converted into more permanent positions once the student receives their degree. Per this rule, hiring under this authority does not have to conform with many typical requirements  for federal hiring that are meant to promote fairness and transparency. For example, OPM will not require agencies to advertise these positions on USAJOBS, the government-wide public vacancy announcement system. Veteran's preference will not apply. Finally, there does not seem to be a requirement that agencies or OPM report publicly on the hiring done under this authority.