WORK STUDY

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE
WORK STUDY

As you review your award letters, you may or may not see listed in your aid package a dollar amount award labelled work-study. Work-study is considered Federal Aid. Federal Work-Study provides the opportunity for part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need and college expenses.

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FEDERAL WORK-STUDY

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The Federal Work-Study Program is a type of financial aid for college that provides funding to students with financial need in exchange for work. 

ELIGIBILITY
  • In order to be eligible for work-study, you must complete and submit your FAFSA annually.
  • Funds are awarded based on need, the school’s level of funding and when the student applies for financial aid since funds are limited.
AMOUNT

The amount of money a student earns during their Work-Study position cannot exceed the amount they are awarded by their school.

WAGES

  • Students participating in the Federal Work-Study program will earn at least the federal minimum wage.

  • Undergraduate students are paid an hourly wage.

  • The Work-Study program requires that schools pay students at least once a month and must pay the student directly unless he/she requests their wages be applied to tuition, fees or deposited into their bank account.

  • Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for this program.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION

Will work-study be deduced from my tuition costs?

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  • Work-study is not a reduction/discount of tuition costs or cost of education.

  • Funds are not applied directly to your tuition.

  • Students who are awarded work-study receive the funds in a paycheck based on hours.

  • The student will be paid directly for the work and the earnings cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year.

ABOUT WORK STUDY

ADVANTAGES

Valuable

Any type of work-study program reflects well on your time management, problem-solving, and other soft skills which can strengthen your evolving resume.

Convenient

Your workplace is conveniently located right on campus.

Eligibility

Your work-study earnings don't affect your financial aid eligibility.

Flexible

Flexible schedules and schools work with you in mind.

DISADVANTAGES

Limitations

Unable to work as many hours as you want.

Alternate Income

If you need to earn more than the awarded amount and feel you can manage the additional work hours and responsibilities with your class schedule, applying for an outside part-time position may be best for you if the additional income will not interfere with overall aid eligibility when filing your FAFSA the following year.

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