Section 6: Education and Transcripts

Many NIST positions require education to determine eligibility or qualifications. If the vacancy announcement states that transcripts are required, you must upload them at the time you apply. Human Resources cannot verify education based on résumé content alone.

Failure to submit required education documentation by the closing date may result in removal from consideration.

When Transcripts Are Required

Transcripts are required when any of the following apply:

• The position has a positive education requirement (for example, certain scientific or engineering series)
• You are using education to qualify in whole or in part
• The vacancy announcement explicitly states that transcripts are required

If you are unsure whether education is required, review the Qualifications section of the vacancy announcement carefully. When in doubt, submit transcripts.

What Type Of Transcript To Submit

NIST accepts:

• Unofficial transcripts at the time of application
• Official transcripts after selection and before a final job offer

Unofficial transcripts must clearly display:

• Your name
• The institution’s name
• Course titles
• Grades earned
• Credit hours
• Degree conferral date, if applicable

Scans, electronic copies, and screenshots are acceptable as long as all required information is visible and readable.

A diploma alone is not sufficient to verify education.

Degree Conferral Date

If the position requires a completed degree:

• The transcript must clearly show the degree awarded and the date it was conferred
• HR cannot infer graduation dates from your résumé
• If coursework and degree conferral appear on different transcripts, upload all relevant documents

Applications may be removed from consideration if the degree conferral date is missing or unclear.

Multiple Degrees Or Institutions

If you have more than one degree, upload the transcript for each degree.

If you attended multiple institutions to complete a single degree, upload transcripts from all institutions attended and ensure the transcript showing the degree conferred is included.

Common Issues That May Delay Or Affect Review

Education may not be credited if:

• Transcripts are unreadable or missing required information
• Only a diploma or certificate is provided
• The transcript does not show a degree conferral date when a degree is required
• The transcript is uploaded to the wrong section of the application
• Required transcripts are not submitted before the vacancy closes

If HR cannot confirm required education, the application cannot be considered.

Submitting Transcripts For Each Application

Transcripts must be uploaded every time you apply, even if:

• You are a current federal employee
• You previously worked at NIST
• You uploaded transcripts to USAJOBS for another vacancy

Documents do not automatically carry over between applications. Each application package must be complete by the vacancy closing date.

Foreign Education

If you completed your education outside the United States and wish to use it to meet qualification requirements for a NIST position, you must submit a credential evaluation report from a recognized foreign education evaluation service.

This report allows NIST to determine whether your education is comparable to education completed at a U.S. accredited institution.

Credential Evaluation Requirements

Your credential evaluation report must include:

• A clear U.S. degree equivalency statement (for example, “equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution”)
• A course-by-course evaluation when education is used to meet qualification requirements
• Confirmation of degree conferral when a degree is required

The credential evaluation report is the primary document used to determine whether foreign education meets federal qualification standards.

Additional information can be found at:

https://www.nist.gov/careers/evaluation-foreign-education

What To Submit With Your Application (Foreign Education)

You must submit:

• Your credential evaluation report, including the U.S. equivalency statement and course-by-course review

You may also choose to submit:

• Copies of foreign transcripts
• Diplomas or certificates

These optional documents do not replace the credential evaluation report.

When Foreign Education Cannot Be Credited

Foreign education may not be credited if:

• No credential evaluation report is submitted
• The report does not include a clear U.S. equivalency statement
• A course-by-course evaluation is missing when required
• Degree conferral cannot be verified when a degree is required
• Required documentation is not submitted before the vacancy closes

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is a qualification option that allows applicants to qualify for certain positions based on strong undergraduate academic performance.

SAA is available for positions at the GS-07 level or equivalent when the applicable qualification standard permits the use of education in place of specialized experience.

Vacancy announcements will indicate whether SAA may be used to qualify.

How To Qualify For SAA

Applicants may qualify for SAA through one of the following methods:

Class Standing

You qualify if you ranked in the upper third of your graduating class or major subdivision (such as the School of Business or College of Arts and Sciences).

Documentation typically required:

• A transcript showing class rank, or
• A letter from the registrar or academic office confirming graduation in the upper third

Grade-Point Average (GPA)

You may qualify if your GPA meets one of the following:

• A 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate coursework
• A 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale within your major field of study
• A 3.5 or higher during the final two years of the degree program

For SAA purposes, GPA is rounded to one decimal place.

Examples:

• 2.95 rounds to 3.0 (qualifying)
• 2.94 rounds to 2.9 (not qualifying)

Honor Society Membership

You qualify if you are a member of a recognized national honor society listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.

Important notes:

• Membership must be based on academic achievement
• Freshman honor societies do not qualify

Required Documentation For SAA

To receive credit for SAA, applicants must submit:

• A transcript showing degree conferral and coursework
• Any additional documentation required to verify class standing, GPA, or honor society membership

SAA cannot be credited without documentation submitted by the vacancy closing date.

When SAA Cannot Be Used

SAA may not be used if:

• The position is above the GS-07 equivalent level
• The qualification standard does not permit education-only qualification
• A qualifying bachelor’s degree has not been completed
• Required documentation is not submitted before the vacancy closes