What Is Federal Work-Study?

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

Based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), eligible students are awarded an allotment, which may be earned through part-time employment in work-study-approved positions either on or off campus. The program is designed to provide students with an opportunity for employment arranged around class schedules. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours per semester) to be eligible for the program.

What is the difference between a work-study job and regular employment?

The primary difference is in how the jobs are funded, as the following information explains.

Federal Work-Study

Here is important information to consider:

• Work-study students must demonstrate financial need by filing the FAFSA form.
• The federal government pays 70 percent of wages; the employing department pays 30 percent. (America Reads tutors are funded 100 percent by the federal government).
• Work-study earnings are not considered income when determining eligibility for financial aid the following year; wages are considered when calculating need-based financial aid for the following year.
• Only work-study-eligible students can work in work-study jobs.
• Work-study students have an earnings limit listed on the award letter.
• Work-study students must meet minimum half-time enrollment requirements 
• Six semester hours (undergraduates)
• Four semester hours (graduate students) 
• Summer: same requirements

Regular Employment

Here is important information to consider:

• Filing the FAFSA is not required.
• The employing department pays 100 percent of wages.
• Regular employment earnings do not affect the current-year aid package.
• Any student can apply for regular employment jobs.
• Regular student employees do not have an earnings limitation; however, the number of hours worked may be limited by the department’s funding.
• Students must meet minimum time-enrollment requirements when working fall or spring semesters; during summer sessions, enrollment is not required if the student was enrolled at least half-time during the previous spring semester and there is evidence of planned (at least halftime) enrollment for the fall semester immediately following.

For more information, contact us at 260-481-6124 or [email protected].