College Employment with Work-Study
Federal Work-Study Program for College Students
The Federal Work-Study program supports college employment on or off campus to help college students defray college costs.
What is the Federal Work-Study Program?
The Federal Work-Study, formerly known as the College Work-Study Program, allocates monies to colleges for the purpose of providing part-time employment to college students. In 2006, the U.S. Federal Work-Study program made a total of $1,172,000,000 available to colleges and universities for student employment, with the average new aware being $1,447.
Colleges and universities apply for and receive Federal Work-Study funding and then disburse the funds through part-time jobs for college students.
Where are Work-Study Students Employed?
Many work study jobs are available on the college campus with Federal Work-Study funding alleviating much of the payroll burden for the college. Colleges and universities must allocate a minimal amount of Federal Work-Study funding to community service jobs such as reading or math tutors for elementary schools and literacy tutors in a family literacy project. Hourly wages for work-study jobs must be at least at the federal minimum wage level.
The Federal Work-Study program restricts employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 35 hours per week during the summer and vacation periods. Ssince no overtime will be paid, so budgeting to cover college expenses is important even if you receive work-study money.
Who is Eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program?
Students can receive Federal Work-Study funds at approximately 3,400 post secondary education institutions. To determine if a student is eligible for a work study program, The U.S. Department of Education analyzes each college student's financial aid application (FAFSA), which takes into account the expected family contribution or EFC:
- Student's income.
- Student's assets, if the student is independent (not declared on parent's tax return).
- The parents' income and assets, if the student is dependent.
- Number of family members attending post secondary institutions.
- Family household size.
If the EFC determines that financial pressures are high enough on the family, the college student can be eligible for loans, grants and the Federal Work-Study program.
When the EFC analysis is complete, students receive a personal Student Aid Report (SAR) which explains whether they are eligible for a work-study program and other financial aid for college.
How Can I Apply for the Federal Work-Study Program?
Any college student can apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, but because limited funding is awarded to education institutions, a work-study grant is not guaranteed even if the student's SAR indicates eligibility. Your best bet for getting into the work-study program is to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as a FAFSA, to apply for federal student aid early.
The FAFSA federal deadlines may differ from your state or college deadlines, so check with your college financial aid office to verify the earliest and latest dates your FAFSA may be submitted by.
You get a FAFSA from the financial aid office at your college or from the guidance counseling office at your local high school. You can also use FAFSA on the Web for convenient financial aid application and tracking.
Source: Federal Work Study (FWS) Program, U.S. Department of Education
Finding More College Money:
Searching for College Scholarships
You Can Afford to go to College: Putting Education Costs into Perspective
