Work-study is a federal program that allows students with the most serious financial need to earn money toward their college expenses by working on or off campus. While Work-Study is a federally-funded program, it is managed by individual colleges and universities.

Work-Study will be awarded as part of a student’s financial aid package from the school. The school will assign students to jobs working on or off campus.  The total Federal Work-Study award depends on when students apply, their level of need, and the funding level of the school.

The program encourages community service work and work related to each student’s course of study.

The Process

• Students apply for financial aid using the FAFSA.
• Students receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that tells them their expected family contribution (EFC)
• The schools to which the students apply also receive the SAR and use it to award financial aid packages based on available funding, student need and/or merit.
• Students with significant financial need may be awarded Work-Study.

The Work-Study Award

Work-Study Awards vary in dollar amount, and are awarded based on the student’s financial need and the school’s funding availability. If there are funds available, eligible students will be awarded a portion of their total financial aid package in the form of Work-Study. The amount will be limited to a certain number of dollars per year, meaning students may only work a limited number of hours per year.

The Work

The work itself may be on campus, say in the library or copy services or the student union. If on campus, students will likely be employed by their college or university.  But, if there are no available or appropriate on campus jobs, colleges may utilize relationships they’ve established with local businesses and/or nonprofit organizations to secure a job for the student. The nature of the work will vary, but the program encourages colleges to select jobs that include community service and/or are related to the student’s field of study.

The Paycheck

Undergraduates will be paid by the hour. Graduate students may be paid by the hour or you might receive a salary, depending on the work. Schools must pay students at least once a month. Payments must be paid directly to the student, unless s/he requests that the school make payments via direct deposit to a bank account or use the money to pay for education-related institutional charges such as tuition, fees, and room and board.

The Hours

Students may not exceed te total Federal Work-Study award, therefore the number of hours they may work will be limited. When assigning work hours, employers or financial aid administrators will consider students’ class schedules and academic progress.