You must submit official transcripts, unofficial transcripts, or USAJOBS Course Listings at the time of your application if any of the following apply to you:

Scenario	Details
Substituting Education	You are using education to substitute for specialized experience, or combining education and experience to qualify.
Basic Education Requirement	The job posting explicitly requires a degree (e.g., specific accounting, auditing, or contracting positions).
Degree Claimed	You indicated that you hold a degree in your occupational questionnaire or resume.

Acceptable Transcript Types

If transcripts are required, ensure your education information is clearly stated on your resume and upload one of the following to your USAJobs account:

Transcript Type	What It Must Include
Official Transcript	Registrar's (or authorized official's) signature, seal, or stamp. Note: A legible photocopy of the official transcript is acceptable for the initial application.
Unofficial Transcript	A clear, readable copy of your college courses from your university’s course completion system, portal, or the like. Important! If you are selected for a job, you will be required to provide the Human Resources Specialist with your official transcripts, which may be submitted digitally.
USAJOBS Course Listing	A generated list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter/semester hours earned through your USAJOBS account.

Note: Grade reports and copies of college diplomas are not considered acceptable proof of education.
Before uploading your educational documents, verify that they meet the following mandatory standards:

• Identifying Information: Your full name and the school's name must be clearly visible on the document.
• Accreditation: Coursework is only accepted from institutions included on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of accredited schools.
• Foreign Education: Degrees from outside the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalence to U.S. accredited standards. See the OPM Application of Qualification Standards for educational and training requirements on foreign education (4.a.3).

If you are using a professional certificate or license (such as a CPA) to meet the qualifications stated in the job announcement, you must upload acceptable proof of that education.

If you are applying as a current or former Federal (or DFAS) employee, an SF-50 is mandatory to verify your federal status and grade.
In most cases, submitting a single SF-50 is sufficient, provided it clearly displays the following three critical items:

To qualify for veterans’ preference or a specific veterans’ hiring authority, you must submit the appropriate military documentation.

To qualify for Military Spouse Preference, you must provide a completed Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within the last 30 days, along with any additional documents identified on that checklist.
How to Access and Complete the Checklist
To ensure the form functions correctly on your device, please follow these technical steps:
 

Special Hiring Authorities
Are you applying under a unique hiring authority (e.g., Schedule A for individuals with disabilities, Peace Corps, etc.)?  Click here to review other authorities and the specific documentation you are required to submit. 
Cover Letter (Optional)
A cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself to the hiring official and explain your passion for the mission. While it will be forwarded with your resume, it will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. Your resume must stand on its own!