Applicants Must Be Citizens of the United States and Pass a Background Investigation

Visual Impairment and Orientation & Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program (VIOMPSP)

2015 VIOMPSP Application Period

VHA Healthcare Talent Management and Blind Rehabilitation Services are honored to inform you that VA will accept applications for VIOMPSP during the following dates

June 1, 2015 – July 15, 2015

As we strive to meet VHA’s needs for qualified blind rehabilitation specialists, we are asking for your assistance in attracting the best applicants to apply for this exciting scholarship and future VA employment opportunity

Eligibility  Eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, an academic program located in the United States that prepares graduates to meet the VA qualification standards for employment  Applicants must be citizens of the United States and pass a background investigation

Covered Expenses  Full-time students  Tuition and required fees/Maximum $15,000 per academic year/$45,000 total award  4 years to complete education  Part-time students  Tuition and required fees/Award maximums are based on ratio of full-time attendance  6 years to complete education

Service Obligation  Participants work as permanent, full-time VA employees in blind rehabilitation practice upon completing their educational program and licensure/certification  Participants agree to a 3-year service obligation  Participants sign a Mobility Agreement to relocate at their own expense if required to fulfill their service obligation  Participants who fail to meet the requirements of their service obligation shall repay an amount equal to the unearned portion of the scholarship award, plus any penalty fees, to be determined by VHA Healthcare Talent Management

2015 Application Period Students interested in applying must follow the instructions in the “How to Apply” section of the Program Announcement on USA Jobs. Applications will be accepted through USA Jobs at https://www.usajobs.gov/ June 1, 2015 – July 15, 2015

Application Process  VA will publish the open period for accepting VIOMPSP Applications on VA Careers at https://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/education-support.asp  VA will post a Program Announcement and accept applications through USA Jobs at http://www.USAjobs.gov

 Applicants must submit a complete application package consisting of  Application (VA Form 10-0491g)  Academic Verification (VA Form 10-0491)  Evaluation and Recommendation (VA Form 10-0491e). Include one each from: – the academic program where currently enrolled or where the applicant will be enrolled; – a person who has known the applicant for a minimum of 2 years; and – if a current or previous VA employee, the applicant’s VA supervisor or equivalent  Academic Transcript (An unofficial transcript is acceptable)  Résumé  Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306)  All applications must be received by the deadline date in the program announcement  See https://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/education-support.asp for more information and to download any required forms

How can you help? Please share this information with any audience who would express favorable consideration for this VA effort. We are confident that with your support and engagement, we can attract the best applicants, award students with excellent scholarships, and provide exciting opportunities in the visual impairment and/or orientation and mobility fields that will assist our Veteran population with receiving specialized treatment.