Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study program, originally called the College Work-Study Program, is a federally-funded program in the United States of America that assists students with the costs of post-secondary education. The Federal Work-Study Program helps students earn financial funding through a part-time employment program. Approximately 3,400 institutions participate in the program.

The Federal Work-Study Program, FWS, provides a method for postsecondary education students to earn funds that are used toward their education. The program was formerly known as the College Work-Study Program. The FWS program helps students earn monetary awards towards their postsecondary education. The program is based on financial need and students must be accepted into the program to qualify.

Eligible college students join work programs through their college to earn money for tuition and other expenses. There are many different types of jobs that qualify for the program. Students are assured of receiving at least federal minimum wage for the duration of their employment. The FWS program helps to ensure that college students who are truly in need of the money get the jobs.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate 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 recipient's course of study.

Federal Work Study funding is given to institutions to provide part-time work opportunities for students involved in certain majors. Federal funding is made to participating institutions based on requests made by the institutions. A statutory formula is used to help institutions determine the allocations to request. Once funds are allocated to each institution it is up to that school to administer the funds. Once all the funds for the institution have been allocated no more students can participate that year.

Students can apply for the Federal Work Study Program if they have financial need (see Expected Family Contribution). The students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify.

Each institution provides its own restrictions on the way it allocates funds. The institution provides a number of different types of jobs both in their own institution as well as through private employers. The federally funded program encourages institutions to use the funds to help give back to the community. At least 7% of the jobs offered must be helping the community. Some of the jobs offered are often reading tutors for young children, literacy tutors and mathematics tutors. Other jobs can be on campus such as working in the library or student center or performing administrative functions in the office.

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