Learn About Federal Work Study Programs

What Federal Work Study Programs Are and How They Work

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federal student employment program that provides part-time jobs to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. The program was created in 1964 to help students pay for education costs while gaining work experience. Unlike loans, work-study earnings do not need to be repaid, and students are paid at least the federal minimum wage for hours worked.

The program operates through colleges and universities, which receive federal funding to pay a portion of student workers' wages. Typically, the federal government covers 75 percent of a student's wages, while the institution covers 25 percent. This arrangement allows schools to hire more student workers than they could fund entirely on their own.

Work-study positions exist both on campus and off campus. On-campus jobs might include working in the library, student center, dining hall, or administrative offices. Off-campus positions are typically with nonprofit organizations or public agencies that serve the school's community. The nature of work varies widely—students might shelve books, tutor peers, work in offices, assist with research, or provide community services.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 750,000 students participate in Federal Work Study each year. The program distributed over $1.6 billion in funding during the 2022-2023 academic year across participating institutions.

Work-study differs from regular campus employment because participation is based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not all students can participate, and the amount of work-study funds available varies by institution and student circumstances.

Practical Takeaway: If you are a student considering ways to earn money while studying, understanding that work-study is a needs-based program funded through your school is the first step. Your school's financial aid office can provide information about whether work-study funds are part of your financial aid package.

Understanding Financial Need and How Work-Study Awards Are Determined

The foundation of Federal Work Study is financial need. This term has a specific meaning in federal education funding. Financial need is calculated by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)—now called the Student Aid Index (SAI)—from the Cost of Attendance (COA) at your school.

The Cost of Attendance includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. It represents what it costs to attend that specific school for one year. For example, a student attending a public in-state university might have a COA of $28,000 per year, while a student at a private university might have a COA of $60,000 or more.

The Student Aid Index is calculated using information from the FAFSA. It considers family income, assets, family size, and number of family members in college. A family with a higher income typically has a higher SAI, meaning their financial need is lower. A student from a family earning $30,000 per year would likely have greater financial need than a student from a family earning $150,000 per year.

Once financial need is established, the school's financial aid office determines how much work-study funding to offer. This amount is part of the student's overall financial aid package. Not all students with need receive work-study funds, as the amount of federal funding available to each school is limited. Schools prioritize students with the greatest need or students in specific programs.

The federal government provides work-study allocations to institutions based on formulas that consider the number of students with need at that school. In 2022, average work-study awards ranged from about $2,000 to $3,000 per year, though amounts vary significantly by institution and student circumstances.

If you receive work-study funds in your aid package, that amount represents a portion of what your school believes you can earn during the academic year. It is not a guarantee of employment or earnings at that level; rather, it is the maximum amount of work-study funds the school will allocate to pay your wages.

Practical Takeaway: Complete your FAFSA accurately and honestly to ensure your financial need is calculated correctly. Request your financial aid package from your school's financial aid office and review how much work-study, if any, has been offered to you.

Types of Work-Study Positions and Job Opportunities

Federal Work Study positions span a wide range of roles and settings. Understanding the different types of positions can help you think about what kind of work might fit your schedule, skills, and interests.

On-Campus Positions: These are the most common work-study jobs. They take place on school property and are typically designed around the academic calendar. Examples include:

• Library positions: Shelving books, assisting patrons at circulation desks, scanning materials, or assisting with research databases
• Student services: Working in admissions, registrar offices, financial aid offices, or student advising centers
• Dining services: Food preparation, serving, cashiering, or cleaning in cafeterias and dining halls
• Campus facilities: Maintenance, groundskeeping, or facility support roles
• Academic support: Tutoring peers in writing centers or math labs, or assisting professors during office hours
• Student life: Working in residence halls, student centers, recreation facilities, or event planning offices

Off-Campus Positions: These work-study jobs are located off campus but must be with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or public schools that serve the school's community. Examples include:

• Community nonprofits: Working at food banks, homeless shelters, youth centers, or social service agencies
• Public schools: Serving as teaching assistants or tutors in K-12 schools
• Government agencies: Positions in city, county, or state offices
• Healthcare and counseling: Supporting community health clinics or mental health organizations
• Environmental organizations: Working on conservation or environmental education projects

Some schools also participate in the Community Service Work-Study (CSWP) program, which emphasizes service-learning. In CSWP positions, students perform meaningful community service while gaining work experience. For-profit employers cannot participate in Federal Work Study, though some schools participate in programs that place students in private-sector internships while still using work-study funding.

The wage paid for work-study positions must be at least the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour, though many states and cities have higher minimum wages. Students typically earn between $8 and $15 per hour depending on location, position type, and level of responsibility. Some specialized positions, such as tutoring or research assistance, may pay slightly higher rates.

Work hours are typically limited during the academic term. Federal regulations generally allow no more than 20 hours per week during school weeks, though students can work more during breaks and summer when classes are not in session. Many schools have more restrictive policies to encourage academic focus.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your school's work-study job board or student employment office to see what positions are actually available. Consider whether on-campus or off-campus work fits better with your schedule and whether you want experience in a particular field.

How to Obtain Work-Study Employment and What to Expect

If you receive work-study funds as part of your financial aid package, the next step is to find an actual job. Having work-study funds does not automatically mean you have a job; it means your school has reserved that amount of federal funding to help pay your wages once you secure employment.

Most schools operate a job board or employment portal where work-study positions are posted. This might be an online system, a physical bulletin board, or both. Common platforms include Handshake, your school's career services website, or a dedicated student employment page. To find positions, you typically search the system for work-study jobs, review available positions, and apply directly to the employers listed.

The application process for work-study jobs is usually simpler than traditional employment. You may need to provide:

• A resume or brief employment history
• Availability (days and hours you can work)
• Your work-study elig