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# Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars Program

# Fact Sheet 

### Summer 2004

**Program Description:**

The *Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars Program* is a unique summer
internship experience at the U.S. Department of Education, established
in commemoration of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his
contributions to civil and human rights in America.

Up to ten outstanding undergraduate or graduate students with an
interest in education policy or public policy and administration will be
selected to participate in the program this summer.

Selected students will be designated as *Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Scholars* and will receive temporary Federal appointments in the
excepted service for an eight-week period,

June 14-August 6, 2004. This time period may be extended for up to an
additional four weeks on a case-by-case basis. Scholars will be hired at
grades GS-4, 5, 7, or 9, depending on qualifications and education level
completed (corresponding pay range: \$11.32 to \$19.19 per hour).
Scholars will be responsible for their own transportation to and from
Washington, DC, and for their housing during their internships.

Scholars will be assigned to the Office of the Secretary and the
immediate offices of the Assistant Secretaries of Education at the
Department's headquarters in Washington, DC.

Scholars will assist with a variety of projects related to critical
education programs and initiatives, analysis, policy development, legal,
or other work designed to provide developmental experiences and exposure
to government and public policy in a Cabinet-level Department.

**Eligibility Requirements:**

The program is open to **continuing** college juniors, seniors, and
graduate students. Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis in an
accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program and have plans to
register for the Fall semester. Students can be from any field of study.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a minimum GPA of 3.3
(academic transcripts required). Two academic references will also be a
required part of the student's application.

Note: Graduating baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral students who are
not enrolled and continuing their education in the academic semester
following the summer internship are not "continuing students" and are
not eligible for this program. In addition, students who have
participated in the Department's *Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars
Program* in previous years are not eligible.

**Recruitment Procedures:**

The U. S. Department of Education, Office of Management, Human Resources
Services, will post a special announcement for the *Martin Luther King,
Jr., Scholars Program*. The recruiting announcement will briefly
describe the program and specify eligibility requirements, application
procedures, citizenship requirements, contact information, and other
required announcement information.

The announcement will be posted on the U.S. Department of Education's
Web site ([www.ed.gov](http://www.ed.gov/)), the U. S. Office of
Personnel Management's (OPM) USAJobs Web site
([www.usajobs.opm.gov](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/)), and
Studentjobs.gov ([www.studentjobs.gov](../www.studentjobs.gov)).

The announcement will be open on December 8, 2003, and close on January
26, 2004. Scholars will be notified of their acceptance to the program
by March 31, 2004.

**Applications:**

Students desiring to be *Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholars* will be
required to submit:

-   A resume or OF-612 application form
    (<http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf>)

-   Proof of continuing enrollment (transcript or letter from the
    registrar)

-   Proof of academic good standing (transcript)

-   Two academic references (name, title, contact information)

-   Brief essay (500 words) on the link between education policy and the
    philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evident in the following
    quotation: "We are prone to judge success by the index of our
    salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality
    of our service and relationship to humanity." (*Stride Toward
    Freedom*, p. 94)

-   A one-page cover letter on why the student wishes to be a *Martin
    Luther King, Jr., Scholar* and what he or she has accomplished or
    plans to accomplish that embraces Dr. King's philosophy.

The U. S. Department of Education's Human Resources Services will review
the application packages for legal, regulatory, and program
requirements. Applications from eligible students will be referred to a
panel for review. Applications will be evaluated based on academic
achievement, the quality of thought exemplified in the letter and essay,
and the strength of the candidate's interest in education policy or
public policy and administration.

**Expectations:**

Scholars will be expected to:

-   Commit to an eight-week period beginning June 14, 2004 and ending on

August 6, 2004, with the possibility of up to a four-week extension;

-   Work closely with a Senior Official on a specific issue/project;

-   Participate in periodic briefings and other activities held for
    Scholars;

-   Deliver a final presentation to Senior Staff detailing their
    experience as a *Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholar*.

**Please note**: Students selected as *Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Scholars* will be required to secure their own housing while in
Washington. A list of possible housing and contact information for
scholars who might be looking for roommates will be made available.