Federal financial aid isn’t just grants and loans. When you get your financial aid offer letter, you may see that you’ve received a Federal Work-Study award.
This award is different from other financial aid because it has an extra step: you have to get an eligible, part-time job. To help you get the full value of your offer letter, this blog post guides you through the process of how to find one.
What is Federal Work-Study?
Unlike other forms of student aid, you do not directly receive money from a Federal Work-Study award. You earn the money through an eligible part-time job, either on- or off-campus.
Not all jobs qualify for the award, and it doesn’t guarantee you a job. You need to apply, interview and be hired for a work-study position to receive the money through a regular paycheck. Your pay is intended for everyday expenses like off-campus housing, food, transportation or school supplies.
When your university or a company offers a work-study job, it can only hire someone with the award. You can also look for positions that are relevant to your interests or studies.
“There are many different departments you can work for on campus,” says University of the Pacific Director of Career Services Bailey Gutierrez. “Work-Study jobs allow for you to gain experience that will help strengthen your resume.
Similar to grants, you do not need to pay back any of the money you earn.
Who is eligible for Federal Work-Study?
Federal Work-Study awards are need-based aid. After you’re accepted into a university, your school uses your FAFSA to determine how much federal aid you’re eligible for and gives you that information in your offer letter.
Your Federal Work-Study award is determined each year after you submit your FAFSA. How much you receive depends on factors such as:
- Your level of financial need
- When you submit your FAFSA
- Your school’s amount of work-study funding
When you submit your FAFSA after your first year, your work-study earnings do not count against you when schools calculate your aid.
Similar to other financial aid, you need to make satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving Federal Work-Study awards. What that means depends on the university, but it generally requires you to maintain a certain GPA, earn a passing grade in most classes and make progress toward your degree.
How much does work-study pay?
Your Federal Work-Study award is the upper limit of how much you can earn each year through your job, but your hourly pay varies. You earn at least minimum wage, but some positions may pay above that rate.
How much you earn also depends on how many hours you work. You work with your employer to set a schedule that does not interfere with your classes and does not exceed your award amount.
How do I find work-study jobs?
The first place to look is your university’s Career Services Center. Advisers can help you understand where your university and other employers post work-study jobs, often an online job board.
As an example, Pacific exclusively uses Handshake and encourages employers to post their work-study jobs there, too. The platform clearly marks work-study jobs, so they’re easy to spot among on-campus positions.
Your university may also host job fairs that promote on-campus or part-time jobs. Gutierrez recommends you go and actually meet your potential employers.
“Even if you’ve already applied to a position, if you know that department’s going to be there, go introduce yourself and make a first impression,” she says.
If you plan to get a work-study job, you should keep an eye on your university’s job board and other opportunities. Federal Work-Study awards do fund your position, but do not guarantee you a job. The earlier you start, the better.
Even if your university mostly uses an online job board, you should still drop by your Career Services center. It has other resources to help you spruce up your resume and prepare for an interview.
“We’re happy to help you,” says Gutierrez. “We can walk you through how to navigate the Handshake platform and apply for work-study positions. Career Services can also help you develop or edit your resume, ensuring you present yourself at your best.”