Federal Work-Study provides part-time employment to degree-seeking students with financial need. Students are employed under Federal Work-Study, Federal Work-Study Community Service, or the Federal Work-Study America Reads/America Counts program. While many students are eligible to participate in this program, funds are limited. Because of limited funding, employment through this program is limited to about 500 students.  However, there are many employment opportunities on and around campus, with about 5,000 students working on campus. All students seeking employment are encouraged to look for jobs posted on the Handshake database hosted by the Center for Student Experience and Talent.

  • A FAFSA application must be completed to be considered for Federal Work-Study.
  • Federal Work-Study recipients are not assigned to a Work-Study job. Students must apply to the employer for any of the job titles that interest them. Jobs are posted on the Handshake database on the Center for Student Experience and Talent.
  • Students may apply for and be hired for more than one position.
  • A student may earn up to the maximum amount, per semester, indicated on their PAWS offer. Use the following equation to determine the number of hours per week you can work without going over your eligibility:

Amount Offered / Hourly wage = Total number of hours
Total hours / Number of earning weeks = Number of hours per week

  • Students work an average of twelve to fifteen hours per week.
  • Students earn at least minimum wage and often more. The rate of pay is based on the university and Federal Work-Study Program guidelines. Individual employing departments decide what hourly wage they will pay student employees.
  • Students are paid bi-monthly through payroll. Your earnings are not applied directly to any amount owed to the university.
  • Students that already have an off-campus non-profit service agency or organization job are encouraged to contact the Center for Student Experience and Talent to determine if Federal Work-Study could be used.
  • If a student has not earned Federal Work-Study within 30 days of the start of a semester, the Federal Work-Study offer will be removed from their financial aid.

For additional information on Federal Work-Study click here to be directed to the Department of Education website.

Federal Work-Study Payroll Periods and Pay Dates

Below are the effective dates for earning Federal Work-Study for the current and upcoming academic years.

2023-2024

  • Fall: August 27, 2023 – December 31, 2023
  • Spring: December 31, 2023 – May 18, 2024

2024-2025

  • Fall: August 24, 2024 – December 28, 2024
  • Spring: December 29, 2024 – May 17, 2025

Student payroll information, including the payroll schedule, can be found on the payroll website.