The Best-Kept Secrets About Federal Service

Little-Known Benefits of Being a Fed

Mentorship Programs

One of the highest-rated benefits for job seekers in 2020 was the ability to further your education and skillset on the job. Each branch of the federal government has different rules and regulations regarding these programs, though most branches are happy to offer an extensive array of options for employee improvement. Make sure that you ask your manager or supervisor if there are any programs that you can apply for, as many will help with or fully pay for the costs involved with furthering your education and job-oriented skills. Certain agencies also offer mentorship programs in the form of shadowing and extensive training programs that allow you to expand your professional network while gaining skills to help give you a leg up in your professional life.

Discounts for Federal Employees

Federal employees also receive a number of different discounts on things ranging from technology purchases to hotel stays. As with the mentorship programs, these discounts will vary depending on the branch of the government that you work for, though there are a few universal discounts federal employees will receive. Many newspapers and online editorial sites offer discounts on their online and print services. If you are looking for a deal on your phone bill, companies like Verizon offer full discounts on both phone plans and new phones with contracts for most federal employees. Most hotels also offer discounted room rates for federal employees traveling for both business and pleasure. Depending on your job title and the programs that you enroll in, you could qualify for a number of different discounts on tech ranging from laptops to software and hardware updates.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a long-lasting federal employee, you will be given access to the exclusive Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program allows individuals who have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan to have the remaining balance cleared. Essentially, this program will erase the remainder of certain loans after you have been employed with the federal government for 10 years and you have been making payments on that loan for that time. We recommend checking to see if you qualify for this annually by submitting a Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Employment Certification Form. This will ensure that you get all the benefits of this amazing program with little to no hassle on your end.