Skip to Main Content ↓
I Am
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Info
  • Give
Search
  • An Applicant
  • A Student
  • An Alumnus
  • A Visitor
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Alumni
  • Visitors
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Deposit
  • Request Info
  • Give
  • Search
Purdue University Fort Wayne Logo
Federal Work-Study
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Campus
  • Athletics
  • Support
  • About
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Campus
  • Athletics
  • Support
  • About
Close
Admissions Close
Student working on homework
Admissions
You can create the future you want at Purdue Fort Wayne. Take your first step today by learning about the admissions process.
Learn about Admissions
Information For
  • Undergraduate Students
  • Graduate Students
  • International Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Precollege Students
  • Returning Adults
  • Veterans or Military Service Members
  • Parents and Family Members
  • Admitted Students
Pay for College
  • Tuition and Fees
  • Banded Tuition
  • Financial Aid
  • Net Price Calculator
  • Scholarship Opportunities
  • Bursar and Student Finance
  • Midwest Student Exchange
  • Ohio Reciprocity
Visit Campus
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Maps and Parking
  • Holiday Inn
  • Student Housing
  • Virtual Tour
Essentials
  • Apply Now
  • Request Information
  • Meet the Counselors
  • Majors and Minors
  • Placement Testing
  • Find Your Path
  • Career Development Center
  • Bookstore
  • goPFW
  • PFW Ready
Close
Academics Close
Instructor teaching in a classroom full of students
Academics
Gain knowledge for your career—and your life. We’ll help you find the course, program, or degree that fits your needs.
Learn about Academics
Explore Academics
  • Majors and Minors
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Graduate Programs
  • Course Descriptions
  • General Education
  • International Education
  • Preprofessional Studies
  • Colleges and Schools
  • Centers of Excellence
  • Honors Program
  • Helmke Library
More Ways to Learn
  • Experiential Learning
  • Living Learning Communities
  • Study Abroad
  • National Student Exchange
  • Continuing Studies
  • Online Learning
Find Support
  • Learning Support
  • Tutoring Services
  • Writing Center
  • Math Testing Center
  • Group Study Rooms
  • Find Your Path
  • Student Advising and Advocacy Center
  • Career Development Center
  • Student Success Online
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Top Resources
  • Register for Classes
  • Academic Calendar
  • Class Schedule
  • Final Exam Schedule
  • University Catalog
  • Bookstore
  • Brightspace
  • myBlueprint
  • AdvisorTrac
  • TutorTrac
  • goPFW
Close
Research Close
Students performing research with their professor
Research
Challenge yourself through experiential learning, and work side-by-side with our faculty to enhance your academic experience.
Learn about Research
Faculty Research
  • Find Funding
  • Faculty Publications
  • Outstanding Research Award
  • Human Research Protection Program
  • Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Sponsored Programs
Student Research
  • Find Funding
  • Student Research Symposium
  • Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research
  • Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement
  • Honors Program
Helmke Library
  • Helmke Library
  • Library Profile
  • Library Search
  • Research by Topic
  • Study Spaces
Community Impact
  • Centers of Excellence
  • Community Engagement
  • Science and Engineering Fair
  • Industry Partnerships
  • Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
  • News Center
Close
Campus Close
Students with the Don
Campus
A vibrant campus filled with more than 1,500 annual events awaits you. Find your passion at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Learn about Campus
Connect and Grow
  • Student Organizations
  • Organization Resources
  • Student Government
  • Leadership Opportunities
  • Service Opportunities
  • Get Involved
  • Mastodon Alumni Association
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Thrive on Campus
  • Student Housing
  • Campus Dining
  • On-Campus Jobs
  • Health Clinic
  • Intramural Sports
Discover Campus
  • Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
  • Game Tickets
  • Events Calendar
  • Native Tree Walk
  • Holiday Inn
  • Bookstore
  • Virtual Tour
  • Don Dates
Top Resources
  • Student Life and Leadership
  • Career Development Center
  • Alumni Relations
  • Maps and Parking
  • Campus Safety
  • University Police
  • Athletics Center
  • Helmke Library
  • Purdue Extension Office
  • PFW Ready
  • DonChat
Close
Athletics Close
Mastodon soccer team
Athletics
NCAA Division I sports, intramurals action, fitness classes, and more. Be a part of the Mastodon action at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Learn about Athletics
Athletics
  • Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
  • Upcoming Events
  • News Stories
  • Get Tickets
  • Mastodon All-Access
Show Support
  • Support Student-Athletes
  • Shop Mastodons
  • Run 4 Scholarships
  • Bookstore
Intramural Sports
  • Team Sports
  • Individual Sports
  • Tournaments
Ways to Stay Active
  • Athletics Center Memberships
  • Personal Training
  • Fitness Courses
  • Health/Wellness Events
  • Group Fitness Classes
Close
Support Close
Student walking with support animal
Support
Support comes in many forms at Purdue Fort Wayne. Let us help you maximize your potential—for academics, wellness, and more.
Learn about Support
Course Registration
  • Register for Classes
  • Pay for Classes
  • Academic Advising
  • Class Schedule
  • University Catalog
  • Registrar
  • myBlueprint
  • TutorTrac
  • AdvisorTrac
  • Bookstore
Learning Support
  • Tutoring Services
  • Writing Center
  • Math Testing Center
  • Group Study Rooms
  • Learning Support
  • Find Your Path
  • Student Advising and Advocacy Center
  • Student Success Online
Student Support
  • Dean of Students
  • Student Wellness
  • The Learning Community
  • Student Assistance Program
  • Student Life and Leadership
  • Helmke Library
  • Career Development Center
  • IT Services
  • DonChat
Supporting Diversity
  • Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • The Women's Center
  • The Q Center
  • Disability Access Center
  • TRIO Support Services
  • Upward Bound
  • International Education
Close
About Close
Students walking to class
About
Discover a wide array of academic programs and a campus brimming with activity—in a thriving city full of opportunity.
Learn about Purdue Fort Wayne
News and Events
  • News Center
  • Media Relations
  • Events Calendar
About Us
  • Who We Are
  • University Principles
  • Strategic Plan
  • History
  • Why the Mastodon?
  • Accreditation
  • By the Numbers
  • Explore Fort Wayne
  • Maps and Parking
  • Support Our Vision
  • Economic Impact
Campus Leadership
  • Chancellor Elsenbaumer
  • Chancellor‘s Cabinet
  • Administration
  • Academic Affairs
  • Student Affairs
  • Communications and Marketing
  • Development
  • Financial and Administrative Affairs
Contact Us
  • Contact Information
  • People Directory
  • Admissions
  • Human Resources
  • Alumni Relations
  • Help Desk
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Info
  • Give
  • Search
    • Federal Work-Study
    • Students
    • Employers
    • Forms
    • About
    Student employees ready to work

    What You Need to Know

    We get the following questions often—here are the answers. If you have further questions, let us know.

    What is federal work-study?

    Federal work-study is a source of federally funded, need-based financial aid. You must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for work-study. If you demonstrate financial need as determined by Student Financial Aid, you may receive work-study as part of your financial aid package. If so, federal work-study will be listed on your Notice of Financial Aid Eligibility Letter, also called a financial aid award letter. The Office of Financial Aid will determine a maximum amount of work-study funds that you can earn during the school year.

    Where can I look for a work-study position?

    You can look on Handshake, our free, online, national job-posting service for students and alumni. In order to view work-study positions on Handshake, you must first submit this very short Work-Study Survey. Once you've submitted the survey, within 48 hours, you will be able to access the work-study positions posted in Handshake. Keep in mind, if you don’t see a position that you want listed on Handshake, you can always ask departments if they’re in need of a work-study student for the semester or year.

    The On-Campus Job Fair, held the second week of fall semester, is also a great opportunity to learn about available on-campus positions, many of which are work-study positions.

    You can also ask off-campus, nonprofit organizations if they need a work-study student. Depending on the job description, budget, and needs of the nonprofit—and the approval of Financial Aid—you could create a new work-study position.

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

    The primary difference is in how the jobs are funded. Take a look at the following information.

    Federal Work-Study

    Federal work-study is a type of federal aid in which the federal government pays 70 percent of the wages, and the employing department pays 30 percent. To be awarded work-study funds, you must demonstrate financial need, as noted on the FAFSA. Only students eligible for work-study funds may work in work-study jobs.

    Work-study earnings are not considered income when determining eligibility for financial aid the following year, and have a maximum limit listed on your award letter.

    To work a work-study position, you must meet the half-time enrollment requirements:

    • Six semester hours for undergraduates
    • Four semester hours for graduate students

    The same requirement applies for receiving work-study funding for summer work.

    Regular Employment

    Regular employment does not use federal financial aid money; the employing department or organization pays 100 percent of wages, and you are not required to file the FAFSA to be eligible. Regular employment earnings do not affect your current-year aid package.

    Any student can apply for regular employment jobs, and you won’t have a limit on how much you can earn. However, the numbers of hours available may be limited by the department’s funding.

    You’ll still need to meet the minimum enrollment requirements listed above for the fall or spring semesters. If you’re working over the summer, the enrollment requirements are waived if you were enrolled at least half-time in the spring and will be enrolled at least half-time in the fall.

    How do I apply for federal work study?

    You must complete a FAFSA to apply for federal work-study and other need-based aid. The Financial Aid office determines your eligibility for aid and notifies you in writing. If work-study is not included on your Notice of Financial Aid Eligibility and you’re interested in a specific work-study job, contact Financial Aid at 260-481-6820—you may be eligible to have work-study added to your award package. Increasing or decreasing your work-study eligibility may affect your other financial aid.

    What are the benefits of participating in federal work-study?

    There are many benefits of a work-study job:

    • With work study, more opportunities are available to you; many campus departments and nonprofit organizations are able to hire additional staff because the federal government pays most of the salary for each student worker.
    • Work-study earnings do not affect your financial aid package for the following academic year, while earnings from other jobs do.
    • Social Security is not withheld from your paycheck during any period in which you are registered for classes (this is true for any student’s hourly job paid through Purdue Fort Wayne payroll).
    • Within reason, work-study employers make an extra effort to be flexible with work hours due to class schedules and exams.
    • Work-study enables students to have fewer loans and less debt.

    Do all work-study jobs pay minimum wage?

    Yes, but most pay more.

    Will work-study decrease my pell grant or other grants or scholarships?

    No. Work-study is given only if you demonstrate more financial need after all gift aid has been applied. It will never decrease any of your grants or scholarships. Only loans and work-study aid are interchangeable. 

    Do work-study wages go directly to the bursar’s office to cover tuition and books?

    No. You’ll receive work-study payment (check or direct deposit) based on the pay rate and the number of hours you have worked in the pay period.

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

    Begin Your Dream Today
    • First-year students
    • Transfer students
    • Returning students
    • Graduate students
    • International students
    • Browse and Search
      • A–Z
      • People
      • Site Search
      • Careers
      • Programs
      • Class Schedule
    Browse and Search
    • A–Z
    • People
    • Site Search
    • Careers
    • Programs
    • Class Schedule
    • Helpful Resources
      • goPFW
      • Brightspace
      • Helmke Library
      • IT Services
      • Maps
      • Emergency
      • Catalogs
      • Registrar
      • Bookstore
      • For Employees
      • Media Relations
      • Pay for College
    Helpful Resources
    • goPFW
    • Brightspace
    • Helmke Library
    • IT Services
    • Maps
    • Emergency
    • Catalogs
    • Registrar
    • Bookstore
    • For Employees
    • Media Relations
    • Pay for College
    • Connect With Us
      • News Center
      • Events
      • Mastodons
      • Virtual Tour
      • Give
    Connect With Us
    • News Center
    • Events
    • Mastodons
    • Virtual Tour
    • Give
    Visit us on Social Media:
    Purdue University Fort Wayne Logo

    2101 East Coliseum Boulevard
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805
    260-481-6100


    Visit us on Social Media:
    • Contact Us
    • Trademarks and Licensing
    © 2022 Purdue University Fort Wayne. All rights reserved. An equal access/equal opportunity university. A Carnegie Community Engaged University.
    If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please email Human Resources and Office of Institutional Equity at [email protected].
    • Contact Us
    • Trademarks and Licensing
    Purdue University Fort Wayne Logo

    2101 East Coliseum Boulevard
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805
    260-481-6100