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Federal Work Study Program

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships may award FWS to eligible students as part of their financial aid package. In addition to establishing financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), eligible students must be degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students enrolled on at least a half time basis who are maintaining good academic standing. Students usually work 10 hours per week while taking classes during the academic year.

Application Process for Federal Work Study

Step 1- Apply for Financial Aid

Eligibility for FWS is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) process.  Financial Aid eligibility must be determined each academic year.  Please note that eligibility does not automatically carry over from year-to-year.  Eligibility factors include:  Results of FAFSA; FAFSA filing date- priority is given to students who file their FAFSA by the March 1st priority filing deadline.

Step 2- Award

If determined eligible, a student will be offered FWS as part of their financial aid package.  If you have not been offered FWS, but have been offered a Subsidized Direct Loan, please contact the Student Work Experience Center to see about substituting FWS for all or a portion of you Subsidized loan.

Step 3- Apply for Jobs

Students should then visit the Job Announcements section of the student employment web page and select On Campus Jobs which will link you to the Job Link system. In this system, students can search for available FWS positions and will create an account and student application in the system in order to apply for those positions. There may be FWS positions available elsewhere on campus that are not advertised on this system, so students may also want to contact departments and offices directly to inquire about their hiring procedures for FWS jobs.

Please remember that many students will be applying for the same jobs, and selection is a competitive process, job placement is not guaranteed.  A job application and a job interview will be required. 
Students eligible for FWS also have the option of applying for non-FWS jobs.  Students eligible for FWS also have the option of applying for non-FWS jobs, known as Institutional Employment (IE). They are not limited to applying for FWS jobs only.

  • Students awarded FWS are eligible to apply for America Reads tutor positions and local community based positions with nonprofit organizations. These positions are coordinated through the Community Service Learning Office.
  • Visit our on-campus job announcements section to view current student employment opportunities and application procedures. Please note that in addition to providing information on FWS jobs, this list gives you information about current Institutional Employment job vacancies.

Please click here for FWS Frequently Asked Questions.