What is a FWS award?

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a form of need-based student financial aid that undergraduate and graduate students earn through part-time employment, on- or off-campus. Approximately five percent of undergraduate students and one percent of graduate students receive Federal Work-Study awards.

What does FWS eligible mean?

FWS eligibility is determined by an individual’s financial situation and eligibility for federal financial aid. Not all students with financial aid will be awarded FWS. Foreign national students do not qualify for FWS.

Who qualifies for FWS?

FWS – Terms & Conditions Be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident. Have a social security number. Continue to meet financial aid requirements. You must be enrolled in at least 6 units (half-time) during any semester in which you are employed.

Do you get paid for FWS?

You are paid hourly wages and will receive a monthly paycheck until you have earned the entire amount of your FWS award, or your job ends, whichever comes first. Another benefit is that on-campus employers, and eligible off-campus employers, prefer to hire FWS student employees so there are many jobs available.

How do you get FWS awards?

Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, called the FAFSA, to become eligible for work-study. Participants must demonstrate financial need, and those who file the FAFSA early often have a better shot at qualifying. Schools may award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do you have to pay federal work-study back?

Federal work-study is a form of financial aid that offers you a part-time job, on or off campus. Plus, you don’t have to “pay back” work-study earnings—they do not add to your student debt.

What happens to unused work-study money?

Don’t get discouraged, however. After all, schools want their students to utilize work-study awards: If work-study funds go unused, these institutions are leaving federal money on the table, and key jobs around campus go unfilled.

Does work-study count as income?

In California, work study of any kind is exempt as income under MPP § 63-502.2(q)(1)(a). This particular CalFresh regulation cross-references the CalWORKs income exemptions, and CalWORKs exempts all work study as income, either under MPP § 44-111.24 or MPP 44-111.432(b)(7).

What happens if I don’t use my work-study?

If you do not use work-study, it is less likely you’ll receive it as part of your financial aid the following year. If you don’t convert your work-study to loans or don’t earn it, be sure not to include it as a resource in your personal budget.

Can you use fafsa money to buy a car?

You cannot use student loans to buy a car. You also can’t pay for the purchase of a car with financial aid funds. In particular, a qualified education loan is used solely to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which are limited to the cost of attendance as determined by the college or university.

How often do you get paid for FWS?

The FWS amount listed on a student’s Financial Aid Award is the maximum amount of FWS funds the student may earn. Once FWS students obtain their FWS jobs, they are paid on a bi-weekly basis for the hours they have worked, up to the amount listed on their award. Please Note: FWS Awards CANNOT be applied toward tuition, fees or other charges due.

What are the requirements for the FWS program?

Students must have an accepted FWS award and meet all program requirements in order to be hired and start working. Student must have a Summer award to continue working after this date. Students must have an accepted FWS award and meet all program requirements in order to be hired and start working.

How does FWS work for student financial aid?

Individual departments hire FWS students, but the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) office sets the award and hourly wage. Once the employer receives a copy of the student’s Class Schedule, a work schedule can be determined by the student and the employer. Timesheets are maintained and submitted through the employer biweekly.

How does the Federal Work Study ( FWS ) program work?

The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help needy students to finance the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.