The Federal Work Study (FWS) Program can be a very rewarding component of your overall financial aid package. It works by subsidizing the wages you are paid by a participating employer. Under the provisions of the program, about 75% of your wages is reimbursed to your employer from the funds allocated in your financial aid award. You must be paid at least minimum wage however, you may not qualify for benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave or medical insurance under a work study job. Undergraduates may not work more than 40 hours per week in their position. The program does not pay for wages earned over the amount of your award, but work hard and you may find yourself in position to be hired permanently. Over 793,000 students were awarded more than 1 billion dollars in work study funds in 2008.
The most prominent benefit of this program is that it makes you more financially attractive to a potential employer. Certain employers regularly employ students through the Federal Work Study program. In fact, many employers offer certain positions exclusively to students who are program participants. The resultant job availability is beneficial to both your employment prospects and your career building objectives. Many of the employers that hire from students under the FWS program offer entry level positions both on and off campus in fields as diverse and varied as research, academics, business and government. The program offers a unique opportunity to “get your foot in the door” of a professional environment where you will be able to network or perhaps even get an early start on your career. Lastly, your income earned in the program is not included when determining your financial need each year. As a result, you will have higher financial aid eligibility than you would have had you worked another type of job. Increased eligibility will allow you to qualify for more money in the form of grants, scholarships and loans.
» Read more: The Benefits of the Work Study in Your Financial Aid Award
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