The Federal Work Study Program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The money is earned and does not have to be repaid.
The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. You are paid by the hour, and the rate is at least the federal minimum wage. The maximum number of hours you can work at WSU during school sessions is 20 hours per week. You are paid every other week.Work hours are normally scheduled around your classes, so there is no conflict.
Jobs are available both on the campus and off campus. To see a list of available work study jobs, click on FWS Jobs, then select 'Search Postings' on the left purple bar, then define 'Hourly/Workstudy' as the Classification Type.
If you accept Federal Work Study, you must:
- Accept your award online.
- Show proof of at least six paid credit hours
- Complete INS form I-9.
- You will need a copy of your social security card as well as your driver license to complete the form. You will then receive a FWS Certification Card.
- Check job listings
- Jobs are available both on-campus and off-campus. Off-campus jobs usually involve work in community service. Your employer will usually be a private or public nonprofit organization, or a local, state or federal agency. To see a listing of all jobs available visit FWS Jobs, then select 'Search Postings' located on the left purple bar, then define 'Hourly/Workstudy' as the Classification Type.
- Have your employer sign the certification card
- If you are hired on campus, your employer must sign the FWS Certification Card and include the department’s cost-code. If you are hired off-campus, the WSU Financial Aid Office will complete the paperwork.
- Return the signed FWS Certification Card to the WSU Payroll Office (Miller Administration 111A)
- You must also complete a W-4 form for IRS withholding.
NOTE: To activate your federal work-study you must initiate a job search once you have picked up your work study card from the WSU Financial Aid and Scholarships office. If you do not activate your federal work-study (FWS) account within 30 days of the start of the first day of class the FWS award offer will be removed and re-awarded.