The EHLS scholarship is funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which is administered by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). As part of the scholarship obligation, participants agree to fulfill the EHLS service requirement, which requires you to work for the federal government in positions with national security responsibilities for one year after you complete the program.
Positions that fulfill the service requirement have some type of national security responsibility. All positions in the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community fit this definition. In general, participants who complete the EHLS Program pursue federal jobs in administration, management, or professional fields. Some work as analysts or linguists/translators; others find positions in their original professional fields.
To assess your skills and interests in relation to the federal job market, visit these websites:
- USAJobs, which lists all available federal jobs except those in the Intelligence Community.
- Department of Defense jobs
- Department of State jobs
- Department of Homeland Security jobs
- Intelligence Community jobs
The job vacancies listed in the above websites may refer to the grade level of the position. Most professional and administrative work in the federal government is paid under the General Schedule (GS) pay system. The GS system is divided into 15 grades. The entry level of professional and administrative positions is normally at GS-7.
Typically, the grade level at which you are selected is commensurate with your work experience, your academic background, or both. Position announcements describe the specific requirements for different grade levels.
Having a bachelor’s degree will normally qualify you for GS-7. Usually, for jobs at GS-7 and higher, you would need to also have specialized experience. Having a master’s degree may qualify you for some jobs at GS-9 and a doctorate could qualify you for GS-11.
For more information about the federal job classification system, visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website.
The EHLS Program will not provide you a job, but it will give you training that will prepare you for your job search. See the curriculum in Program of Instruction. You will also receive assistance from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) Service Team during and after the program to help identify appropriate federal job opportunities. Members of the NSEP Service Team will provide information about various federal agencies and the types of opportunities that are available in them, and will give you guidance on conducting a successful federal job search.
Some government jobs may require a security clearance. Applicants do not need a security clearance before starting the program. EHLS does not give participants security clearances. The security clearance process is handled by agencies in the hiring process. For more information, see the EHLS Security Clearance Information, and consult the Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency website.
View the Alumni Series video below to learn about career opportunities for EHLS Scholars.