How to Know If You Qualify for Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal student aid program designed to help students earn money for educational expenses through part-time employment. It also offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. Unlike loans, the money earned through Federal Work-Study does not need to be repaid. The program supports students with demonstrated financial need.

Core Eligibility Requirements

Students must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at a participating institution, and enrollment status typically requires at least half-time attendance to qualify for federal aid.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is another important condition for continued eligibility. Each school establishes its own SAP standards, which generally include maintaining a certain grade point average and completing a percentage of attempted credits within a maximum timeframe. Students must also be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and possess a valid Social Security Number. Individuals must not be in default on any federal student loans or owe a refund on a federal grant.

Determining Financial Need

Determining financial need begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA collects financial information from the student and, if applicable, their parents or spouse, which is then used to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an index number, not a dollar amount, that indicates a student’s eligibility for federal student aid. A lower SAI suggests a higher financial need.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total cost to attend a school for a year. The COA includes:
Tuition and fees
Housing and food
Books
Supplies
Transportation
Miscellaneous personal expenses

Schools use a basic formula to determine a student’s financial need: Cost of Attendance (COA) minus Student Aid Index (SAI) equals Financial Need. For instance, if a school’s COA is $40,000 and a student’s SAI is $10,000, their financial need would be $30,000. The financial aid office uses this calculated financial need to determine eligibility for need-based aid, including Federal Work-Study.

The Application and Award Process

Receiving Federal Work-Study funds begins with completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students indicate their interest in Federal Work-Study by checking a specific box on the FAFSA form. It is important to submit the FAFSA as early as possible, as Federal Work-Study funds are often limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by schools.

After submitting the FAFSA, the student’s school receives the financial data and uses it to construct a financial aid package. This package is communicated through an official financial aid offer letter, which includes any Federal Work-Study award. Students must review and formally accept their award, often within a specified timeframe, to secure the funds.

Receiving an award does not automatically guarantee employment; students are responsible for actively seeking and securing an eligible work-study position. These positions can be on-campus or off-campus with non-profit organizations, often related to the student’s field of study or community service. Students are paid at least the federal minimum wage, or the state minimum wage if higher, and receive their earnings via paycheck or direct deposit, typically on a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly basis.