There are essentially two kinds of Work-Study Programs—Federal Work-Study, or FWS, and Non-Federal Work-Study, or non-FWS.
Federal Work-Study is based on your financial need, and is awarded by the Department of Education. Non-Federal Work-Study is not based on financial need, and is provided directly from the college you are attending.
To become eligible for FWS Programs you must complete a FAFSA, and meet certain eligibility requirements.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Eligibility for FWS consists of the general federal student aid eligibility requirements that are required for most forms of federal student aid, as well as your ability to demonstrate the appropriate financial need.
This will primarily be evaluated via your EFC, or expected family contribution once you have completed the FAFSA.
- Once you have become eligible for FWS, you will be notified by your school via the award letter that they will send to you before you begin classes that should detail not only your FWS eligibility, but also the other types of financial aid that you are eligible to receive as well.
Once you have accepted your FWS award, information should be sent to your home address that details how you should go about securing your FWS position. An interview and job application of some kind is typically required before you begin work, and you should expect to receive a pay rate that is no lower than the federal minimum wage.
The money you make will be taxable income, and should not go above the FWS award amount that you were initially approved for. Most FWS schedules are flexible, and result in about ten, to fifteen hours of work per week.
Non-Federal Work-Study (non-FWS)
Non-Federal Work Study Programs are not provided by the Department of Education, and are rather made available directly from your college.
- You therefore do not have to demonstrate financial need, and you do not have to complete a FAFSA to become eligible.
To find out more about non-FWS opportunities you should contact your school directly to see if they have any openings.
Most students that participate in non-FWS Programs work in fields that are related to their program of study. This however isn’t a requirement for non-FWS, as many students choose to work in on-campus positions that have to do with management and labor.
The great thing about non-FWS is that your employer will typically be much more flexible when compared to a conventional part-time employer, and you should therefore have a relatively easy time setting up your schedule around when you must attend classes.
Work-Study Conclusion
Overall I think Work-Study Programs are great for students who are willing to put the time in, and while they may not be able to provide you with a ton of money for your college education, they can provide you with a substantial amount of funding that can be used for any particular education-related expense you choose.
- The real value of Work-Study is often overlooked by students, as you can often make valuable contacts and build your resume while taking part in a quality Work-Study Program.
The jobs that are available as a result of Work-Study Programs are real jobs, and you can therefore build your work experience, and resume while completing such work. This is why I encourage students to take a position that is as closely related to their program of study as possible. In the end Work-Study should not be discounted as a means to help pay for college, as it can go a long way if utilized correctly.
