Understanding
Financial Aid
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a part-time job with an hourly
wage. The job may be located on- or off-campus. These jobs are designed
to help students earn wages to pay for books and other materials. No
money from any Federal Work Study has to be repaid.
Federal Work Study jobs are offered to students who
demonstrate financial need; you must mark “Yes” to the question
on the FAFSA that
asks if you are interested in employment while attending college. If
you are eligible for a Federal Work Study, it will be listed on your Financial
Aid Award Letter.
Available on-campus Federal Work Study jobs can include
working almost any on-campus student position. You can work the
resident hall desk, work in the library, dining hall, admissions office,
any major department office, etc. Ideally, your Federal Work Study
should be related to your college major. Prepare
to apply for a Federal Work Study job and research
available on-campus jobs before you arrive on campus in the fall
Off-campus Federal Work Study jobs are most likely to
be with non-profit or public agencies located near your college campus.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Despite Federal Work Study wages
being at federal minimum wage or slightly higher, the NETWORKING (meeting
people) associated with the job is the most significant value of a Federal
Work Study. For instance, you may get a job in your college’s
financial aid office and learn about a new scholarship. As a result,
you may be one of the few students that apply for this scholarship because
no one else knows about it. Or, you may work in the office of the
Dean of Admission or office of the University President; when you need
a letter of recommendation for graduate school or a job, the Dean or
President should provide you with a very valuable recommendation because
they really know you and your work ethic. |
