Earn While You Learn: Work-Study & Community Service Jobs

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides eligible undergraduate students with part-time jobs to help cover educational expenses. Work-study is a need-based program, meaning eligibility is determined by your FAFSA, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and other factors like your Cost of Attendance (COA). Funds are limited.

  • Awards are not guaranteed. Any changes to your enrollment and other types of financial aid could impact your eligibility. Funding is limited, and not all eligible students will receive work-study.
  • Work-study earnings are not applied to your bill. You receive a paycheck based on the hours you work.
WORK-STUDY VS COMMUNITY SERVICE
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Jobs may be on-campus or off-campus in various roles, such as administrative work, research, or general student employment.
Federal Community Service Work-Study:  A subset of FWS where students work off-campus at nonprofit organizations or public agencies in roles that give back to the community. Examples include tutoring, literacy programs, and other service-oriented positions.  

How it works:

  • Accept your award to participate
  • Find a work-study placement through available on-campus or community service job listings
  • Earn up to the amount awarded, paid biweekly
  • Wages are based on hours worked—not applied directly to your bill