Payments to participants are considered stipends and not salaries. The selecting official generally sets a stipend rate commensurate with the salary for an individual entering federal service with a similar educational background. Taxes are not withheld from the monthly stipend. Participants must file tax forms at the end of the year but should consider filing on a quarterly basis. Selecting Officials may provide tuition assistance for participants' continuing education but are not required to do so.
Participants are eligible to receive monetary awards.
Up to 13 days per year of absence are permitted for illness without a reduction in the participant's stipend. These absences are at the discretion of the participant's mentor. Proportional adjustments in granting absences are to be made for appointments of more or less than 12 months. The mentor is encouraged to prepare a letter of recommendation describing the overall knowledge, skills, abilities, and performance of the participant. The mentor should give the original to the participant for their future employment searches.