Federal Work Study Program

What is Federal Work-Study?

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to each student’s course of study.

How much will your child make?

He/she will earn at least the current federal minimum wage, but the amount might be higher depending on the type of work and the skills required. Your child's total Federal Work-Study award depends on when applied for, the level of need, and the funding level of your child's school. Again, it is the early applicant who will get the best of this program so apply early.

How will your child be paid?

If he/she is an undergraduate they be paid by the hour. If your child is a graduate student, he/she might be paid by the hour or they might receive a salary, depending on the work performed.

The school must pay your child at least once a month. Also, the school must pay your child directly, unless he/she request that the school make payments to their bank account or use the money to pay for education-related institutional charges such as tuition, fees, and room and board.

Are Federal Work-Study jobs on campus or off campus?

Both. If your child works on campus, they usually work for the school. If they work off campus the employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest. Some schools might have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal Work-Study jobs. These jobs must be relevant to the course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If your child attends a proprietary school, there might be further restrictions on the jobs that can be assigned.

Can your child work as many hours as they want?

No. The amount your child earns can’t exceed the total Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours the employer or financial aid administrator will consider your child's class schedule and their academic progress.

One of my daughters applied for this program. The first assignment was to sweep the hallways in the early morning. Not being an early morning person she took this first assignment. After she accepted the assignment, she then requested a transfer to another assignment. She got the transfer and was very happy with the work study program.

The Federal Work-Study Program is one way to assist your student in meeting the ever increasing cost of college. While this program can be of assistance it can have its challenges, changes and can possibly conflict with schedules and classes.

Because of these, and other considerations, parents should keep up to date on the how the Federal Work-Study Program works and how it could affect their student.

To assist you in increasing your knowledge of this program, and the many others that deal with getting that required college degree, we suggest that you subscribe to The College Planner Digest.

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