What if an Academy student is a resident alien, but is still awaiting his or her green card in the spring?
The Immigration Act of 1986 makes it a crime for companies to hire aliens without suitable documentation. Students in this situation should be encouraged to seek out an unpaid internship during the summer, and then, should the student secure appropriate documentation later, paid positions may be developed later on during the senior year. It should be noted that a student cannot get a completion certificate from NAF without a paid internship. Back to top...

Is a student eligible for placement if he or she fails an Academy class such as Economics & the World of Finance and makes it up in the spring?
This decision is up to the Director. Such contingencies should be anticipated in the Memorandum of Understanding with parents and students. Some Directors may place risky or marginal students at the bottom of the list of eligible candidates and place them only after all others have been placed. Back to top...

What should the Director do about a student who refuses to remove metal facial adornments?
The easy answer is to drop him/her from the pool. The tougher challenge is to mentor the student by explaining that his/her chances for employment will be nil if he/she insists on sporting these accoutrements.  Here is where the concept of opportunity costs comes into play. If the student's sense of self-expression precludes his or her ability to see the importance of compromising certain things for the sake of a better future, then this student is probably wrong for the Academy.   Back to top...

There are a handful of students to place with minimal skills. How should this situation be handled?
If at all possible, try to avoid sending all these interns to the same company. It's a much better idea to spread them out, preferably as part of a larger group of more capable students. Never try to present the students as being more qualified than they are.  An honest appeal to the HR representative at the sponsor firm may still secure a suitable placement.  Note that it is important that the students understand WHY they are having a tough time being placed.  Constructive criticism may help to turn marginal students around, giving them the incentive and attitude to do better in the future. Back to top...