How Work-Study Programs Work (2024)

Maybe you always knew you were destined to go to college -- your parents even had a mobile depicting their alma mater's mascot hanging over your crib. Maybe you always had a career in mind and knew that college was the only route to get there. Perhaps you simply drifted into higher education after high school because it seemed to be the right thing to do. Or maybe you reached the decision to go to college a little later in life, after a few years in the working world convinced you that you were headed nowhere without a degree.

Regardless of the path you took, now you're faced with that timeless question: How do I pay for my postsecondary education? In 2009, a year's tuition and fees at a private four-year school averaged around $26,000, while costs for public four-year institutions averaged around $7,000 [source: College Board]. Although many students can qualify for scholarships, and you should certainly explore every opportunity, you're probably going to need some help from the U.S. Department of Education in order to pay for your college education. That assistance can come in the form of grants, loans or work-study programs, most of which are based on financial need.

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Grants don't have to be repaid, and about two-thirds of all undergraduate students do receive some grant money, but it's seldom enough to cover all the costs [source: College Board]. Loans are easier to obtain, but they do have to be repaid after graduation. Work-study programs often help fill the gaps in financial aid and offer the opportunity to gain valuable experience and make connections. Student hours are limited and the pay isn't high, but participation in a work-study program can be rewarding for most students. While there are state work-study programs, and many colleges and universities run their own work-study programs, most students earn college cash through the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). Keep reading to advance your knowledge about the FWS Program, including information about how to apply and what kind of work you can expect to find.

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Contents

  1. About the Federal Work-Study Program
  2. Work-Study Program Eligibility
  3. Applying for the Federal Work-Study Program

About the Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS), formerly known as the College Work-Study Program, was first established as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It provides funding to pay full-time college students who meet financial eligibility requirements for part-time employment. The money they earn is then used to finance their college educations. More than 3,400 institutions of higher learning participate in the Federal Work-Study Program, and about 7 percent of all undergraduates participate in a Work-Study Program, receiving an average of $2,400 each year [source: U.S. Department of Education].

Congress allocates money for the Federal Work Study Program. In 2009, more than $980 million was allocated as regular funding, then $200 million was added to the Federal Work-Study Program as part of the Recovery Act. In total, more than $1.4 billion is available through the Federal Work-Study Program when institutional or state matching dollars, plus private or federal loan capital, is added [source: U.S. Department of Education]. Money is allocated to each school depending on the number of students demonstrating a need, and the financial aid departments at individual institutions have a great deal of freedom in deciding how to distribute this money to the students.

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All sorts of jobs are available to students who qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program. Most of these positions are on campus at the school and include positions such as lab assistant, clerical help and cafeteria worker. These jobs don't have to be related to the student's major. Other jobs are community service positions that are off-campus. The government requires that community service jobs be a part of the Federal Work-Study program. Some schools have agreements with outside for-profit companies for work-study jobs -- these jobs must be relevant to the student's course of study.

The money is allotted for each student, and then the student must work in a job in order to receive it. Most jobs pay federal minimum wage, and the school issues the paychecks. Students are paid by the hour. The checks may be deposited in the student's bank account, or the student may opt to have any earnings directly applied to school costs. Students' earnings cannot exceed their total Federal Work-Study award.

Qualifying for the Federal Work-Study Program is based on financial need as determined by government standards. In the next section, we'll look at what it takes to earn the opportunity to participate in a work-study program.

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Work-Study Program Eligibility

The Federal Work-Study Program is a need-based program of financial assistance. Students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which we'll discuss at length in the next section. Congress sets the criteria for determining financial need. That formula takes into account the information submitted on the FAFSA and also the expected family contribution (EFC).

Determination of financial need is based on these factors:

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  • Student's income (and assets, if the student is independent)
  • Parents' income and assets (if the student is dependent)
  • Family's household size
  • Number of family members (excluding parents) attending postsecondary institutions

The EFC is figured by adding two things:

  • A percentage of income after allowances for basic living expenses are deducted
  • A percentage of the assets that remain after subtracting an asset protection allowance

The formula varies depending on the student's living situation (living with parents, independent without dependents or independent with dependents). Your earnings from the work-study program will not count as income.

Applicants for the Federal Work-Study Program must be a full-time student at an institution of higher education or have been accepted as a student. The program is not limited to colleges; vocational schools often have Federal Work-Study Program money available. Graduate students can take advantage of the funds, also.

Next, we'll take a look at what you need to do to make sure you get your share of this money, including how to hedge your bets even if you're not sure work-study is for you.

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Applying for the Federal Work-Study Program

Filling out and filing the government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which you can find online, is the first step in applying for the Federal Work-Study Program. This application serves as your entry to all forms of federal student aid and will screen your eligibility for grants and loans as well. Go ahead and check that you're interested in work-study, even if you're not sure. It's easier to decline the opportunity after you've been approved than it is to get approved for the program later. Within a week after submitting your FAFSA, you or your school will receive a summary of your eligibility, including your EFC. If you qualify for any financial aid, then you're eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program. Your FAFSA award letter will include the amount for money you're allowed to earn.

Remember, you'll have to file a FAFSA each year for continued participation. The FAFSA forms are updated each January for the coming academic year. Keep up with the deadlines for filing. You're also allowed to file amended forms if your financial status changes. Grades aren't a factor in your continuing eligibility for work-study -- as long as they're good enough for you to stay in school, they're good enough for you to remain in work-study.

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Once you've been approved for a work-study program, your school will have its own procedure for hiring. Most schools will e-mail you about lists of jobs that are available to work-study students, and you can apply from there. Hiring isn't automatic; you'll probably have to go through an interview just like any other job. Your school may have additional forms for you to complete at this point. After you're hired, you'll need to monitor your hours in order to ensure that your earnings don't exceed your grant. Let your employer know before this becomes a problem. Remember that this is a real job -- you can be fired from a work-study job, so it's in your best interest to perform well.

From all accounts, participating in the Federal Work-Study Program is a win-win situation for students. You'll earn money for school, make friends with your fellow students and forge alliances with professionals who could help you in your future career. What's not to like?

For lots more information on financial aid for school, see the links on the next page.

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Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • How Scholarships Work
  • How Pell Grants Work
  • How Direct Loans Works
  • How Public Grants Work

  • CNNMoney.com. "What Will College Run You?" (Feb. 26, 2010) http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/collegecost/collegecost.jsp
  • The College Board. "2009-2010 College Prices." (Feb. 28, 2010) http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html
  • Federal-Work-Study.com. "Federal Work-Study." (Feb. 28, 2010) http://www.federal-work-study.com/
  • Georgia Institute of Technology. "Financial Aid: Frequently Asked Questions." March 24, 2008. (Feb. 28, 2010) http://www.finaid.gatech.edu/fws/faq/
  • Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. "PHEAA-Administered Work-Study Programs." (Feb. 26, 2010) http://www.pheaa.org/workstudy/index.shtml
  • Sallie Mae Inc. "Other Ways to Pay: Federal Work-Study Program." (Feb. 26, 2010) http://www.salliemae.com/before_college/parents_plan/ways_to_pay/ways_to_pay/federal_work-study.htm
  • StudentFinanceDomain.com. "Work Study". (Feb. 26, 2010) http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/non-loan_options/work_study.aspx
  • U.S. Department of Education. "Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program." Nov. 23, 2009. (Feb. 24, 2010) http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fws/index.html
  • U.S. Department of Education. "Free Application for Federal Student Aid." Jan. 30, 2010. (Feb. 24, 2010) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
How Work-Study Programs Work (2024)

FAQs

How does work and study work? ›

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study.

What are two benefits of doing work study? ›

What Is Work-Study? Plus, 4 Advantages of a Federal Work-Study Job
  • You keep what you earn. While you have to pay student loans back with interest, work-study earnings are yours to keep. ...
  • Your paycheck won't affect financial aid eligibility. ...
  • Work-study jobs are convenient. ...
  • The reward can be more than just financial.
14 Jan 2022

Are working and studying at the same time good for you why or why not? ›

You can gain work experience and develop course-relevant skills. Working while studying is a great opportunity to gain work experience and useful skills. If it's a job related to your degree or the career you want to work in, you can put into practice what you've been learning on your course.

How will you manage your time between work and study? ›

Striking the perfect balance between work and studying is challenging and often stressful.
...
How to maintain a work-study-life balance
  1. Schedule wisely. ...
  2. Prioritize your tasks. ...
  3. Learn how to say “no” ...
  4. Take a good care of yourself. ...
  5. Socialize. ...
  6. Ask for help when you need it. ...
  7. Have fun along the way!

What do you mean by work-study? ›

Work study is field used to finding ways of increasing on job performance, optimum usage of plant and machinery, standardization of work methods, etc. Therefore, objectives of work study are as follows: Scientific and controlled analysis of existing available methods of executing a task.

Are work studies worth it? ›

If you want more hours (and to make more money), work-study might not be the best fit. Low pay. While federal work-study jobs have to pay at least minimum wage, they might not keep pace with what you could earn elsewhere. For some students, working a job that isn't related to work-study can mean a higher hourly wage.

How can I concentrate while studying at work? ›

1. Create a Plan
  1. Update Your Employer. Assure your employers that you can manage your work schedules. ...
  2. Use Your Free Time Productively. ...
  3. Look After Yourself. ...
  4. Take Advantage of Technology. ...
  5. Find Your Comfort Zone. ...
  6. Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep. ...
  7. Turn off the TV. ...
  8. Eat Properly.

Why studying while working is hard? ›

Maintaining a work-life balance can be more difficult when you throw studying into the mix. There will be more distractions and a high demand for constant energy and concentration.

What are the challenges encountered by working students? ›

Working students have less time to study their lesson. Classes which require extensive reading and writing are affected (Powers, 2013). They can be always late for their classes. This may result in poor academic performance and low grades.

How can I study effectively? ›

Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder
  1. Reading is not studying. Simply reading and re-reading texts or notes is not actively engaging in the material. ...
  2. Understand the Study Cycle. ...
  3. Spacing out is good. ...
  4. It's good to be intense. ...
  5. Silence isn't golden. ...
  6. Problems are your friend. ...
  7. Reconsider multitasking. ...
  8. Switch up your setting.

Why a work-study is needed? ›

Work-study is a financial aid program funded at the federal or state level that helps college and graduate students in financial need to get part-time jobs alongside their studies. The income earned from work-study can help with tuition, living expenses and other education-related costs.

What are examples of a work-study? ›

But work-study is still a decent way to finance your college education. You'll probably get to apply to these common but popular choices.
...
6 Most Popular Work-Study Jobs
  • Tutoring Positions. ...
  • Fitness Center Positions. ...
  • Research Positions. ...
  • Computer Lab Positions. ...
  • Library positions. ...
  • Off-Campus Positions.
19 Oct 2021

Can I put work-study on my resume? ›

If your work-study jobs don't relate directly to your major or the type of work you're seeking, they can still be valuable additions to your resume.

How work study can improve productivity? ›

The advantage of productivity improvement using work study techniques at assembly work stations is achieved by reducing cycle time by providing smooth flow of components for assembly. This helps in reducing the worker fatigue and suggesting new methods for smoother work flow [7] . ...

What is work study and its objectives? ›

The main objective of work study is to improve productivity of men, machines and materials. The aim of work study is to determine the best method of performing each operation and to eliminate wastage so that production increases with less fatigue.

What are the major components of work study? ›

Work study is a combination of two groups of techniques, method study and work measurement, which are used to examine people's work and indicate the factors which affect efficiency.

Is work-study a good experience? ›

Work-study can be a great way to gain experience and develop skills related to your intended career path. They can also help you learn more about your college program and supplement your education.

Should you say yes to work-study on FAFSA? ›

One question that you should always answer "yes" to is the question about work-study. Specifically, the question asks if you are interested in being considered for work-study.

Does work-study count as income? ›

Are work-study earnings taxable? The money you earn from Federal Work-Study is generally subject to federal and state income tax, but exempt from FICA taxes (provided you are enrolled full time and work less than half-time).

How can people concentrate better when studying? ›

  1. Create a suitable study environment. ...
  2. Set clear, precise goals. ...
  3. Create a study schedule. ...
  4. Along with a study 'ritual' ...
  5. Don't forget: Share your study schedule with friends and family. ...
  6. Block out all possible distractions. ...
  7. Try the Pomodoro Technique. ...
  8. Keep a record of all the tasks you've completed.

Is it good to work and study at the same time? ›

Unless it is absolutely necessary, it's not a good idea to work full-time while taking a full load of courses.

How do I stay motivated to study? ›

Here are some ways to increase your motivation to study.
  1. Reward yourself for studying. ...
  2. Study with your friends. ...
  3. Remind yourself of your long-term goals. ...
  4. Eliminate distractions. ...
  5. Develop interest in what you have to study. ...
  6. Take breaks. ...
  7. Establish a comfortable environment. ...
  8. Establish reasonable goals for a study session.

How hard is it to study and work full-time? ›

Working full time while also studying full time clearly requires a lot of effort. Putting so much of your mental and physical energy into this uneasy arrangement can quickly leave you feeling fatigued, stressed, or both and you'll want to check in with yourself often to help avoid burnout.

What are the challenges of studying? ›

7 Common Study Problems and How to Deal with Them
  • You're experiencing low motivation. ...
  • There are too many distractions. ...
  • You have difficulty concentrating. ...
  • You have difficulty remembering facts and figures. ...
  • You don't enjoy the subject you're studying. ...
  • You lack the right resources. ...
  • You struggle with time management.

What is the life of a working student? ›

Balancing work and school errands are tiring. You start your day as early as possible and may even feel that the hours devoted aren't enough. You are one of those who wish for few extra hours to catch more winks. A working student usually goes to bed tired from the long list of errands they need to finish.

How can working students improve their academic performance? ›

Pay Attention in Class

Now one of the most important strategies to improve academic performance is to pay good attention in class. Often students zone out during class, students must work on their concentration skills and try to pay as much attention as they can in class.

What are the factors affecting the academic performance of working students? ›

Students' academic performance is affected by several factors: students' learning skills, parental background, peer influence, teachers' quality, and learning infrastructure.

What are students perceptions of working while studying? ›

The second research question looked at positive and negative effects of working while studying. The findings showed that the participants have happy feeling and good time management. Additionally, they become more responsible and improved their personal life.

Can I study while working full-time? ›

To be able to balance work and study, you will need to make sure that the time you spend studying is time well spent. Be productive! Study in short periods with breaks to ensure you stay focused and avoid procrastination. Turn off social media and prepare some snacks.

Can I study full-time and work part-time? ›

Balancing full-time work with part-time study may take a while to adjust to, but it's certainly possible. Just remember to find the course that suits you, stay committed and keep your employer involved, and you'll have earnt yourself an extra qualification in no time.

Does work-study count as income? ›

Are work-study earnings taxable? The money you earn from Federal Work-Study is generally subject to federal and state income tax, but exempt from FICA taxes (provided you are enrolled full time and work less than half-time).

What are examples of a work-study? ›

But work-study is still a decent way to finance your college education. You'll probably get to apply to these common but popular choices.
...
6 Most Popular Work-Study Jobs
  • Tutoring Positions. ...
  • Fitness Center Positions. ...
  • Research Positions. ...
  • Computer Lab Positions. ...
  • Library positions. ...
  • Off-Campus Positions.
19 Oct 2021

What are the 3 secret study tips? ›

3 Secret Study Tips
  • Know what your lecturers want. Before you start studying a topic, write down your lecturer's learning objectives for that topic. ...
  • Make a study plan. Many people waste time when they study because they don't have a plan. ...
  • Use effective study techniques.

How can I do hard work study? ›

Tips for being a Successful Student
  1. Set realistice goals.
  2. Set learning goals.
  3. See the value in the task.
  4. Have a positive attitude.
  5. Break down tasks.
  6. Monitor your progress.
  7. Monitor your learning.
  8. Create an interest in the task.

What are the challenges of working and studying at the same time? ›

Maintaining a work-life balance can be more difficult when you throw studying into the mix. There will be more distractions and a high demand for constant energy and concentration.

Can a student have 2 jobs? ›

You could land two different jobs that are traditionally popular among students – such as working a couple of nights at a bar, plus a day or two in a café, supermarket or retail store, Walker says. You might find an office-based role on a Saturday or Sunday that's more aligned with the degree you're studying.

How much can I work as a student? ›

However, many universities advise you not to take on more than 20 hours of part-time work a week as this can affect your studies.

Should you say yes to work-study on FAFSA? ›

One question that you should always answer "yes" to is the question about work-study. Specifically, the question asks if you are interested in being considered for work-study.

Is work-study better than a normal job? ›

A part-time job may pay a better hourly rate than a work-study position, which is a big advantage. But you may find scheduling your part-time job around your classes to be difficult. You'll probably work closer to 20 hours a week than 10, as well, so keep an eye on your academics.

Do you have to report work-study on FAFSA? ›

Lastly, even though it doesn't count against you, your student income from your work-study position should be included as earnings when filing the student portion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

What is the purpose of work-study give example? ›

The purpose of the Work Study Program is the employment of students who are enrolled as undergraduate, graduate or professional students who are in need of earnings from employment to pursue courses of study at eligible institutions.

Can I put work-study on my resume? ›

If your work-study jobs don't relate directly to your major or the type of work you're seeking, they can still be valuable additions to your resume.

What are the benefits of work-study management in production management? ›

Advantages of Work Study

It helps to achieve the smooth production flow with minimum interruptions. It helps to reduce the cost of the product by eliminating waste and unnecessary operations. It creates better worker-management relations. It assists in meeting the delivery commitment.

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