If you're attending college soon and looking for financial aid, one program you may be interested in is Federal Work-Study (FWS). FWS allows eligible students to earn wages through approved part-time employment while attending a participating college, career school, or trade school.
Federal Work-Study is different from a grant or scholarship. It is not money automatically credited to tuition, and it is not paid simply because it appears in a financial aid offer. Students must qualify, obtain an eligible job, perform the work, and complete required time records before earning wages. Funding and jobs are limited and are not guaranteed.
What is the Federal Work-Study Program?
The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based federal student aid program that provides part-time employment to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Its purpose is to help students earn money that can be used toward postsecondary education and living costs.
Federal Work-Study jobs may be on campus or off campus. Eligible off-campus employers can include federal, state, or local public agencies; certain private nonprofit organizations; and, under specific conditions, private for-profit organizations. Off-campus jobs with public agencies or nonprofit organizations must be in the public interest. Jobs with private for-profit employers must be academically relevant to the student's program to the maximum extent possible.
Students earn FWS funds as wages for actual work performed. The school must ensure that students are paid at least once a month. Wages are generally paid directly to the student, although a school may apply wages to the student's institutional account when the student gives the required authorization. A work-study award is therefore not the same as a grant disbursement or an automatic tuition credit.
Not every school participates in the Federal Work-Study program. Even at a participating school, an eligible student may not receive an award or find a position because annual funding and available jobs are limited. See Federal Student Aid: Work-Study Jobs.
How Does the Federal Work-Study Program Work?
The U.S. Department of Education allocates Federal Work-Study funds to participating schools. In most cases, the federal allocation pays part of a student's wages and the school or an approved off-campus employer provides the required nonfederal share. The school administers the program, establishes its selection procedures, determines student awards, approves jobs, and ensures that wages are properly documented and paid.
To receive an FWS award, a student must meet general federal student aid eligibility requirements and demonstrate financial need. The school may not offer an amount that, when combined with the student's other applicable resources, exceeds the student's financial need. There is no federally prescribed minimum or maximum FWS award, so amounts vary by school and student.
An amount listed on a financial aid offer is the maximum gross amount the student may be authorized to earn during the applicable period. It is not an upfront payment and does not guarantee that the student will earn the full amount. The student must obtain an approved position, work the assigned hours, and remain within the award limit. If the student reaches the limit, the student may need to stop working unless the school formally increases the award or the employer continues the job using non-FWS funds.
Participating schools generally must use at least 7% of their federal FWS allocation for community service jobs and must employ at least one FWS student as a reading tutor for children or in a family literacy project, unless the U.S. Department of Education approves a waiver. Schools must also make FWS jobs reasonably available to eligible students, to the extent funding permits, and should provide jobs that complement students' educational programs or career goals to the maximum extent practicable.
Federal Work-Study is earned employment, not a loan. Students do not repay wages they properly earn through work performed. However, receiving an FWS award does not guarantee a job, a particular number of hours, or a specific amount of earnings. See the 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 6, Chapter 2.
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How to Apply for a Work-Study Program at Your School
1. Fill out the FAFSA. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for each award year in which you want to be considered for federal student aid. List the schools you are considering so they can receive your FAFSA information. Submit the form as early as possible because school funding and application deadlines vary.
2. Indicate interest in the Work-Study program. The 2026-27 FAFSA does not include a separate question asking whether you are interested in work-study. Contact the financial aid office at each school and ask how it selects students for FWS. Some schools may consider eligible students automatically, while others may require a separate request, form, or employment application.
3. Your school will determine your Work-Study award. The financial aid office will review your FAFSA information, general federal aid eligibility, financial need, other assistance, and the school's available FWS allocation. If the school offers you FWS, the amount shown is the maximum amount you may be authorized to earn—not a guarantee of employment or wages.
4. Look for an eligible Work-Study job and apply. An FWS offer does not automatically place you in a position. Follow the school's instructions to search and apply for approved jobs. You may need to submit a résumé, interview, and meet the employer's qualifications. A regular part-time job does not become Federal Work-Study employment unless the school has approved the position and arranged for it to be paid under the program.
5. Work part-time while enrolled in school. Once hired, work only the approved schedule, submit accurate time records, and monitor your remaining award. Students are generally not permitted to work during scheduled class time unless a documented exception applies. The school must ensure that you are paid for work performed at least once a month; the actual payroll schedule may be weekly, every two weeks, twice monthly, or monthly.
For the 2026-27 FAFSA process and deadlines, review the 2026-27 FAFSA form and Federal Student Aid's Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA® Form.
Who is Eligible for Work-Study Jobs?
Federal Work-Study eligibility is determined by the school under federal requirements. In general, a student must:
- Complete the FAFSA for the applicable award year.
- Meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Attend a school that participates in Federal Work-Study and has funds available.
- Be selected under the school's written FWS procedures.
- Obtain an approved FWS position and satisfy the employer's hiring requirements.
- Continue meeting applicable eligibility requirements and remain within the authorized FWS award.
For most students, Federal Work-Study does not have a federal half-time enrollment requirement. Certain students taking coursework required for an elementary or secondary teaching credential or professional credential must be enrolled at least half time. A school may also establish reasonable employment and enrollment procedures consistent with federal requirements.
Work-Study FAQs
Federal Work-Study may help eligible students earn money for education and living expenses. The answers below address common questions about hours, jobs, and wages.
How many hours can you work in a Work-Study program?
Federal rules do not set a universal limit of 10, 15, or 20 hours per week. The school and employer determine the schedule based on the student's award amount, hourly wage, financial need, academic workload, period of employment, and other assistance. Many FWS positions are structured as part-time jobs, but weekly limits vary.
For example, a $3,000 FWS award at $15 per hour would permit approximately 200 gross work hours if the award is not changed. The student and employer should track earnings throughout the award period so the student does not exceed the authorized amount.
What types of work-study jobs are available at participating schools?
Available jobs vary by school and employer. On-campus positions may include administrative support, library services, tutoring, research assistance, technology support, student services, laboratory assistance, or other institutional work. Off-campus positions may be available through public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community service programs, and certain private for-profit employers.
Whenever practicable, schools should offer jobs that complement and reinforce a student's academic program or career goals. However, the availability of a particular position, remote work, internship, or field-related assignment is not guaranteed.
Can I work as many hours as I want to?
No. Your work schedule must be approved, and your total earnings generally cannot exceed your FWS award or create an over-award of need-based aid. You also generally may not work during scheduled class time unless a permitted, documented exception applies.
If you are approaching your award limit, speak with your supervisor and financial aid office before working additional hours. The school may be able to increase the award if you have remaining financial need and additional funds are available, but an increase is not guaranteed.
How much will I be able to earn in Work-Study?
Your total potential earnings depend on the amount of your FWS award, your wage rate, and the number of approved hours you actually work. Undergraduate students must be paid on an hourly basis for actual time worked. Graduate students may be paid hourly or by salary under the school's usual practices.
An FWS employer must pay at least the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage. If state or local law requires a higher wage than federal law, the higher rate applies. The wage should also be reasonable for the type of work, the geographic area, the employee's skills, and comparable non-FWS positions. A student's financial need limits total FWS earnings but should not be used to set a lower wage rate.
See the U.S. Department of Labor's minimum wage information and the federal FWS wage rules in 34 CFR Part 675.
Pursue a Degree at Campus: A New Kind of College
If you've been considering going to college, Campus offers degree and certificate programs designed to help students build knowledge and practical skills that support their educational and professional goals. Campus is eligible to participate in the Federal Work-Study program. However, eligibility, annual funding, available positions, hiring, work hours, and earnings are limited and are not guaranteed.
Students interested in Federal Work-Study should complete the FAFSA using Campus's federal school code, 008680, and contact the Campus Financial Aid team at financialaid@campus.edu. If FWS appears in an aid offer, the student must still follow Campus's employment process, obtain an eligible position, and perform the work before receiving wages.
Campus's online degree instructors include faculty members who also teach at institutions such as UCLA, Vanderbilt University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, NYU, and Howard University.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA® and other applicable requirements. Awards vary based on financial need, program, enrollment status, prior aid history, available funding, and applicable federal, state, and institutional rules. Campus does not guarantee financial aid eligibility, a Federal Work-Study award, employment, work hours, earnings, or loan approval.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Federal Work-Study is need-based, earned financial aid. Completing the FAFSA, receiving an FWS amount in a financial aid offer, or attending a participating school does not guarantee an award, a job, a particular position, a wage rate above the applicable minimum, a specific number of hours, or the full amount of potential earnings.
Federal and institutional requirements, funding levels, application procedures, available positions, employment conditions, and payroll practices may change. Students should consult StudentAid.gov and the financial aid office at their current or prospective institution for current information.
Sources
• Federal Student Aid — Work-Study Jobs
• Federal Student Aid — How To Evaluate Your Aid Offers
• Federal Student Aid — Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
• U.S. Department of Education — 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 6, Chapter 2
• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 34 CFR Part 675, Federal Work-Study Programs
• U.S. Department of Education — 2026-27 FAFSA® Form
• U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wage