What Is Federal Work-Study?
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- Alongside grants and loans, federal work-study helps low-income students afford college.
- Eligible students complete part-time work, which may occur on or off campus.
- The money can go directly to students’ bank accounts or tuition balances.
Over the last three decades, tuition prices have soared at both two- and four-year colleges — both public and private. To pay for school, most students take out loans. These loans can cover tuition and living costs, but paying them back is often a large burden that can set graduates back financially for decades.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides funds to low-income students that they never have to pay back. Around 3,400 schools participate in this program, hiring low-income undergraduates and graduate students for part-time work, which may take place on or off campus.
According to federal guidelines, work-study jobs must be in the public’s best interest and should be as relevant to the student’s course of study as possible. On campus, students are often employed as research assistants, library staff, and office help. Community service jobs may include tutoring and childcare.
Some schools also have work-study agreements with private organizations — both nonprofit and for-profit — and public agencies. Work-study offers students a stream of income that can be used to help pay for school, but it doesn’t have to be applied to college-related expenses.
The hourly wage or salary earned through work-study can be credited to school accounts to cover tuition and fees, or it can be paid directly to the student as a check or direct deposit. Many students use these wages to help pay for food and other necessities.
Who Is Eligible for Federal Work-Study?
Eligibility for the federal work-study pogram is based on financial need, which is determined by the information provided in the FAFSA. Both full- and part-time students enrolled at participating schools are eligible for work-study at all education levels, including learners taking undergraduate, graduate, and professional classes.
In order to demonstrate financial need, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applicants have the best shot.
You can apply for the Federal Work-Study Program by checking a box on the FAFSA that indicates you want to be considered for work-study. Eligible students enrolled at colleges that participate in the Federal Work-Study Program will receive an award letter, but the letter alone doesn’t guarantee a job.
Some schools match students to work-study positions, but typically it’s up to students to find and apply for work-study opportunities through their school. If you apply for work-study and then decide you’re no longer interested, you’re free to decline the award.
Is Work-Study Worth It?
Award amounts distributed through the Federal Work-Study Program are generally much smaller than other forms of federal financial aid. The average work-study student earned $1,510 in 2021, according to Sallie Mae. Award amounts depend on students’ financial need, as well as when they apply. Colleges have more federal funds to disburse earlier in the year.
Students earn their award amount by working, often for minimum wage. Undergrads are paid by the hour, while graduate and professional students may be paid by the hour or earn a salary. Wages depend on the type of work and the skills required.
The award amount represents the upper limit of what work-study students can earn in one year — it’s not simply handed out. If students do not earn all of their work-study award, the remaining funds go back to the school’s general work-study fund.
Work-study may not be more profitable than an off-campus job, but the professional work experience could be more valuable. Additionally, work-study supervisors can serve as great references for future job or graduate program recommendations.
Work-study jobs should emphasize either civic service or the student’s course of study. Being employed through their school can also give students extra flexibility and assurance. Students can split their hours between two or more jobs and easily drop hours if their classes start to feel overwhelming.
Because work-study jobs are funded by federal financial aid, they could also be more stable than off-campus gigs. For example, students can still apply for remote work-study positions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Balance Work-Study With Academics
Unlike off-campus jobs, work-study jobs only allow students to work a limited number of hours per week. Schools’ financial aid offices consider students’ class schedules and academic progress when assigning work hours, and they may cut back on those hours if a student’s grades start dropping.
The Federal Work-Study Program requires that students balance school and work from week to week. With a hard upper limit of what students can earn, however, work-study could force some participants to look for a second job.
The program has a smaller budget than other federal aid funds and has been criticized for failing to adequately serve underprivileged, low-income students. Unfortunately, students applying for this program can expect more of the same as the budget has seen minimal growth over recent years.
A Department of Education proposal requested the Federal Work-Study Program keep the budget at approximately $1.19 billion in 2022 — the same budget it had for 2021. While this figure represents a slight increase from the 2020 budget ($1.18 billion), it’s hardly enough to make a meaningful difference for students.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.
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