EHLS is a scholarship program that is designed to support you while you are a program participant. Every EHLS participant signs a scholarship agreement before starting the program.
Scholarships for the EHLS Program are awarded through the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which is administered by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).
The purpose of the scholarship is to help people with critical language and cultural expertise develop the English language and career skills needed to pursue a career in the federal government with national security responsibilities.
As an EHLS participant, you will receive a full scholarship to attend the program. The scholarship will make it possible for you to devote your full time and attention to succeeding in the program by providing a living stipend.
As an EHLS scholar, you will receive the following benefits:
- Coverage of all tuition and fees for the full 8 months of the program
- A living stipend of $3,600 per month for the first 6 months and $1,200 per month for the final 2 months of the program
- Reimbursement of up to $1,000 for costs of relocating to attend the program. This is offered to scholars moving from outside the metropolitan Washington, DC, area only. You must provide receipts or other proof of payment to receive reimbursement.
- Health Insurance through Georgetown University for the scholar, additional insurance for dependents is available for purchase
When you accept the scholarship, you incur certain obligations that you must fulfill while in the program:
- You agree not to hold any form of employment and not to study in another academic program during the first 6 months (the intensive portion of the program)
- You agree to attend all classes as scheduled, prepare for and participate in all instructional activities, communicate professionally inside and outside the classroom, and complete all assignments.
If you fail to fulfill these obligations, you may be dismissed from the program and be liable for repayment of part or all of the scholarship.
The scholarship is funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which is administered by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). When you accept the scholarship, you agree to fulfill the EHLS service requirement, which requires you to work for the federal government for one year after you complete the program.
The EHLS Program will not give you a federal job; you must make a full and good faith effort to find one for yourself. You must begin working for the government no later than three years after you graduate from the program, and you must complete the one-year requirement within five years of the date you begin your service. If you do not demonstrate a full and good faith effort to fulfill the service requirement, you will be required to reimburse the U.S. government for the full amount of assistance received from the scholarship.
As a scholarship recipient, you will be expected to seek a position that has national security responsibilities. All positions in the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community fit this definition, as do many positions in other agencies and positions with some government contractors.
You will be encouraged to seek a position that meets your interests and aligns with your skills and background. You will receive assistance from NSEP during and after the program to help identify appropriate federal job opportunities.
Past EHLS scholars and graduates of other NSEP programs have found positions with national security responsibilities in the agencies on this list of examples.