In advance of the academic year, students receive notice of their financial aid awards, which outlines any grants, scholarships and federal loans they qualify for. In addition to these items, qualifying students will be notified of an additional Federal Work Study (“FWS”) Program option.
FWS is considered earned aid as students work part-time jobs and is specifically designed to provide students a source of income while in school. Colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need, and the amount of a student’s award (and whether they qualify) depends on when the student applies, the school’s funding level, and the student’s financial need.
There are two important things to understand about the FWS Program:
- It does not reduce the amount that needs to be paid when the college bill comes due; rather, it is simply an opportunity for the student to earn this aid over the course of the academic year.
- Students do not have to accept the FWS award; they may be able to find another part-time job that either pays more, is in their field of interest, or offers more flexibility.
Most FWS jobs are campus-based. Applying for one is generally just like applying for any other job. Often, colleges have jobs listed exclusively for FWS students. FWS jobs might be found on the college’s website or students may check in with the financial aid office to see what is available. Usually, FWS positions are spread out among several different departments, so students should be able to find one in their area of interest. In addition to earning money, FWS can be a terrific networking opportunity to meet other students, professors and campus professionals. FWS jobs may include working in a lab, the library, or dining hall, or managing the front desk at a student union building or assisting in an office.
Some FWS jobs may be off-campus, often in conjunction with a community outreach or charity program that supports the local neighborhood or at-risk communities.
A FWS student is paid at least the greater of the federal, state, or local municipality minimum wage. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but many states and municipalities have significantly higher minimum wages. Most students work between 8-10 hours per week with a maximum of 20 hours. Students who are not awarded a FWS job may consider a regular part-time job as a way to earn money to help offset expenses and gain work experience.