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HR > Student Employment > Federal Work-Study Human Resources
 
 
   

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally subsidized program designed to promote part-time employment of students to help them avoid excessive debt while in college. By working, students gain experience, develop new skills, and earn money to meet their educational and living expenses. Student employees who are employed under the FWS program are awarded FWS as part of their total financial aid package. Students may be employed on- or off-campus with their FWS funds. FWS jobs are available to financial aid recipients with FWS eligibility listed on the Financial Aid award letters mailed out from the Student Financial Aid Office (SFAO).

FWS Eligibility & Employment Requirements

FWS is available to both undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. To be considered for FWS employment eligibility, a student must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Processor by February 15 each academic year. FAFSAs' are available from the Student Financial Aid Office in January for the following academic year, which includes Fall, and Spring semesters. As a FWS recipient, a student must be enrolled and maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 undergraduate credit hours, 4 graduate credit hours) and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Federal regulations mandate that no exceptions be made on the required enrollment status minimum. Audited classes are not considered degree-granting credits and do not count toward the credit hour requirement.

FWS Earning Limit

Eligible FWS students will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter from the SFAO. The award amount listed indicates the FWS earnings limit for the award year. Students may seek a FWS employment opportunity based on the results of their FAFSA. Earning the maximum FWS award depends upon the number of hours worked and the pay rate. To determine the number of hours a FWS student employee can work per week, divide the total FWS award for the year by the Students hourly rate of pay. This number is then divided by 32 weeks (the number of weeks in an academic year). Increasing the hours worked per week may risk using up a student's entire FWS award before the year ends. Because FWS is a source of Federal financial aid, the total gross FWS earnings for the year cannot exceed the FWS award amount.

The Student Employment Office monitors the earnings of each FWS student employee for each employment period to ensure that FWS wages earned are consistent with those permitted under the provisions of Federal regulations.

Employing departments can give FWS students raises, however, be aware that if a student receives a pay raise, the student's FWS award may be used before the semester or academic year is over.

The Student Employment Office sends out a monthly FWS earnings report to all departments showing the remaining FWS award for each student employed in that department. It is the employing departments' responsibility to keep track of their FWS students' balance. Once a student reaches the FWS award limit, the student will be moved to University Funding (non-work study). The Student Employment Office must be notified in writing by the employing department if they wish another course of action be taken with those students. Under University Funded employment, the employing department's budget pays 100% of the student's wages. We recommend that individual students monitor their earnings with each paycheck so they will know when their earnings limit is approaching. FWS money is paid as it is earned and it is not applied directly towards the tuition bill. All hourly student employees receive a paycheck every two weeks.

FWS Adjustments of Award Amounts

The SFAO may be able to adjust a FWS award amount. Award dollars may be increased if a student has an "unmet financial need" and funding is available. If a student falls below half-time enrollment or receives additional financial aid which changes his/her total financial aid eligibility, the student's employment may be terminated or the FWS award amount reduced. If a change in FWS occurs, the student is responsible for informing the employing department and the Student Employment Office of this change. The employing department must decide whether it will be possible to pay the student with University Funding. If the employing department chooses to continue paying a student under University Funding, the department will pay 100% of the student's salary.

Federal Work-Study Suggested Weekly Work Hours

Hours are based on Minimum Wage ($6.75) over a 32-week Academic Year. (Example: $1,800/$6.75 per hour = 266.66 hours, 266.66 hours/32 weeks = 8.25 hours per week.) To adjust for you students just replace the minimum wage rate with the students actual pay rate.
SEMESTER AWARD ANNUAL AWARD # WORK HRS/WEEK
$900 $1,800 8.25 hours
$1,000 $2,000 9.25 hours
$1,100 $2,200 10 hours
$1,200 $2,400 11 hours
$1,300 $2,600 12 hours
$1,400 $2,800 12.75 hours
$1,500 $3,000 13.75 hours
 
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