Need to earn money in college? If you were awarded financial aid, you may be eligible for a job at your school through the federal government’s work study program.
This popular program is a form of financial aid that allows eligible undergraduate and graduate students to earn money through part-time jobs while enrolled in school. Look for Federal Work-Study or FWS on your financial aid award letter.
To be eligible for work study, you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA. Colleges rely on FAFSA information to decide who is offered Federal Work-Study. Colleges also determine the amount of FWS award and set the rules for securing a job.
Work study is an opportunity, not a guarantee. It’s important to know how it works:
- You do not receive money up front like a grant or scholarship.
- You must find a job through your campus placement office.
- You can earn up to the amount listed in your award, but only if you work enough hours before the end of the school year.
Let’s say your financial aid award says Federal Work-Study: $3,000. This means you are eligible to earn up to $3,000 through a work study-approved job during the academic year in which the FWS award applies. If you get an FWS job, you’ll earn the money over time.
If you don’t get an FWS job — because you can’t find one or don’t apply for one — you lose the benefit of the award. This won’t impact any grants or scholarships you received, or your chances of securing other employment on or off-campus.
Federal Work-Study can be a valuable way to earn money while in school, but students often don’t fully understand it. Read our answers to common questions about work study and how to make the most of it.
Q: Who can get a work study job?
A: These jobs are reserved for students with financial need. If you are offered financial aid, check your award letter. Colleges often meet a student’s financial need through a combination of grants, subsidized loans, and work study. If you see Federal Work-Study of FWS listed in your award letter, you are eligible to seek out one of these jobs.
Q: I got an FWS award. Do I definitely get a job?
A: No. You need to land a job on your own. If you don’t get a work study job, you don’t earn the money.
Q: How much can I earn through federal work study?
A: Take another look at your financial aid letter. It will list the maximum amount you can earn from one of these on-campus jobs. It is typically $2,000 to $5,000 per year.
Do the math. When applying for a work study job, make sure to determine how much you’ll earn per hour and how many hours you’ll get. You’ll only earn the full amount of the work study award if you work enough hours.
The good news is that you’re not limited to one work study job. Let’s say you are awarded $3,000 of work-study, but your shift is only one day a week and doesn’t offer enough hours for you to earn the full amount by the end of the school year. You can look for another job to max out your work study award. But make sure to check with your financial aid office, as some colleges have a policy of allowing only one job at a time.
Q: Can I make more than my FWS award?
A: It’s possible, but any additional work will not be funded through the Federal Work-Study program. Some campus employers may keep you on the job after your work study stipend has been depleted if they have another source of money to keep paying you. Ask about this possibility during your job interview. That said, many campus employers will need to let you go after your work study stipend runs out. Keep this in mind.
Q: How do I find a job?
A: Act fast! Work study jobs fill up quickly. You have a far better chance of finding work at the beginning of the semester, or even earlier. Ideally, start looking in the summer. Some jobs may be filled in July or August before classes start.
Q: Where do I find an FWS job?
The best place to find work study positions is through the career website at your college. Ask to see if they offer an email about open positions. Also, there may be remote or off-campus opportunities. Local nonprofit organizations often sign up with colleges to get student help. Ask your careers office or financial aid officer about the best way to get a job.
Q: How much can I work?
A: This is something you should discuss with your campus employer. Work study is part-time employment. Schools have limits on how many hours per week you are allowed to work. There is usually a 20-hour maximum and chances are you’ll max out of your work study stipend working less than that. Also, your campus employer will take into account your classes and school priorities when making your work schedule. Schools want you to make academics a priority.
Q. Can I convert my work study award to a grant or scholarship?
A. Maybe. Colleges award work study to help meet a student’s financial need. That’s a good thing, but it’s also a sign that there may be wiggle room to appeal.
Example: If a student’s financial need, based on the FAFSA, is $50,000 and receives $47,000 in federal grants and $3,000 in work study, the school has fully met “need” even though the student only has $47,000 in-hand to pay down college expenses.
If you need additional funds to pay your college bill, appeal for more aid. Make a solid argument for additional funds. They may decline your appeal, but there’s no harm in asking.
Q: Should I get an off-campus job instead?
A: Great question. Restaurants, stores, local businesses and even babysitting may offer you more hours and higher pay.
But working on campus is convenient and there are jobs — like working at the front desk in the library — that permit you to study when things are slow. Also, while your work study salary is taxable, it isn’t considered income on the FAFSA so it won’t reduce your aid for the following year. Wages from other jobs are counted as income for both taxes and financial aid calculations.
Of course, you could have a work study job and earn additional money with an off-campus job. Just make sure you don’t take on too much that you can’t do your school work.
Q: Will I get work study again next year?
A: Maybe. Your federal aid can change from year to year, depending on what you report on your FAFSA and what the school includes in your aid package. File your FAFSA as early as possible and make sure to let your college know that you are interested in keeping Federal Work-Study. College financial aid officers are more likely to renew your FWS benefit if you let them know.
Also, keep in touch with your campus employer. Let your boss know that you would like to continue to work for them. If all goes well, your campus employer will be able to get you back on payroll soon after the school year begins.
Laura Zingmond is the senior editor of InsideSchools.org and UnderstandingFAFSA.org. She is passionate about improving equity in education at all levels and is a seasoned veteran of the college financial aid system. Ask her anything about the FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and communicating with financial aid offices.