How to Get a Federal Work-Study Award

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program that helps students earn money for educational expenses. It provides part-time employment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need. FWS is a federal initiative administered by participating colleges and universities. Funds are earned through wages for hours worked, rather than being disbursed as a lump sum like a grant or loan.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for Federal Work-Study, students must meet several federal requirements. Applicants need to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program at a participating institution. Maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is also a continuing requirement for eligibility. Additionally, students must not be in default on any federal student loans or owe a refund on a federal student grant.

A central criterion for FWS is demonstrating financial need, assessed through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The program supports students who require earnings to help cover education costs. While federal guidelines establish baseline eligibility, individual schools may have additional criteria; check with your institution’s financial aid office for any unique requirements.

Applying for Work-Study

The initial step for a Federal Work-Study award involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application gathers detailed information about a student’s financial situation, including income, assets, and household size. Accurately provide these details, as they are used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and determine overall financial need.

When filling out the FAFSA, students must indicate their interest in Federal Work-Study. The FAFSA information is then transmitted to the schools listed on the application, and their financial aid offices use this data to construct a financial aid package, which may include an FWS offer. Due to limited funding, submitting the FAFSA early after its release date can increase the chances of receiving an offer.

If a student is offered Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package, they will need to accept the award through their school’s financial aid portal. Accepting the award signifies intent to participate, allowing the school to allocate FWS funds and enabling the student to search for an eligible work-study position.

Finding a Work-Study Job

Once a student has accepted a Federal Work-Study award, the next phase involves locating and applying for job openings. Students begin their job search through their school’s career services office, which maintains online job boards or listings specifically for FWS positions. The financial aid office or individual academic departments may also provide information on available opportunities.

The application process for work-study jobs is similar to applying for other part-time employment. Students need to submit a resume and a cover letter tailored to the specific position, and participate in an interview. These positions can be on-campus, working for university departments, or off-campus with approved non-profit organizations or public agencies. Some off-campus roles may also be available with private for-profit organizations, provided the work is directly related to the student’s course of study.

Work-study employers are accustomed to working with student schedules, offering flexibility to accommodate classes and academic commitments. While securing a work-study award makes a student eligible, it does not guarantee a job; students must still search, apply, and be hired for an open position. The jobs are designed to provide practical experience and can align with a student’s academic interests or career goals.

Understanding Your Work-Study Award

Federal Work-Study earnings are paid directly to the student on an hourly basis, through regular paychecks issued bi-weekly or monthly. Unlike other forms of financial aid, FWS funds are not directly applied to tuition or fees. Instead, the money is earned as the student works and can be used for educational expenses, such as books, supplies, housing, or daily living costs.

Each student’s FWS award specifies a maximum amount they can earn during the academic year. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their hours and earnings to ensure they do not exceed this limit. Once the maximum award amount is reached, the work-study portion of their employment ceases.

FWS earnings do not negatively affect future financial aid eligibility. For subsequent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) calculations, FWS earnings are excluded from the student’s income, which helps preserve eligibility for need-based aid in future years. While FWS earnings are subject to federal and state income taxes, they are exempt from Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes (Social Security and Medicare) for students enrolled at least half-time and working part-time.