Work-Study
How does Work-Study work?
Work-Study funding is awarded to students based on financial need. Students must complete FAFSA in order to be considered for Federal Work-Study (FWS) funding. Eligible students are awarded a set amount of funding (usually about $4,000) which is paid out through their on-campus student employment. In an on-campus student position, Work-Study pays 90% of the student’s wage, and the department pays the remaining 10% until the Work-Study award runs out. The higher the student’s hourly wage, the faster the funding will be used.
If a student is awarded Work-Study and does not secure an FWS job within a 30-day timeframe, the funding may be revoked and re-awarded to another eligible student. Work-Study awards are managed through Financial Aid.
Unlike Pell grants and Stafford loans that are applied towards a student’s tuition and fees, Work-Study funding is earned and can be used towards a student’s cost of living expenses.
Work-Study Information for Students
FAQs
-
Can I require Work-Study eligibility when hiring a student employee?
Yes, you can add Work-Study eligibility as a requirement (or preference) in your job posting. You may also notify applicants about Work-Study eligibility requirements when setting up an interview. And finally, you may ask a student about their Work-Study eligibility before hiring them. If a student does not know whether or not they are eligible for Work-Study (which is very possible), they can reach out to Financial Aid to determine their Work-Study eligibility. We highly encourage you to implement one or more of the previous options if you are unable to fund your position with department funding alone.
-
Can I check my student employee’s Work-Study eligibility or award status?
Yes, an on-campus employer can inquire about a student’s Work-Study eligibility without violating FERPA laws because they have a legitimate educational interest. However, we encourage students to check their own Work-Study eligibility and award status. Supervisors and students may check Work-Study eligibility by reaching out to Financial Aid (finaid@weber.edu or 801-626-7569). Remember to include the student’s W# in all correspondence.
-
What are the eligibility requirements?
Students must:
- Be enrolled at least half-time
- Have financial need (as determined by the FAFSA)
- Their tuition and fees must be paid for, or they must have a payment plan set up
- Be making satisfactory academic progress.
-
Can I place my student employee on a waitlist for Work-Study funding?
Yes, if a student is eligible for Work-Study funding but did not receive an award for it, either the supervisor or student employee can request the student to be placed on a waitlist for Work-Study funding by reaching out to Financial Aid (finaid@weber.edu or 801-626-7569). Remember to include the student employee’s W# in all correspondence.
-
It’s not the beginning of the semester. Is it too late for my student employee to be awarded Work-Study funding?
No, if the student has completed FAFSA and meets the eligibility requirements, it is not too late to get Work-Study funding. Work-Study funding is periodically rewarded throughout the year. Either the supervisor or student employee can request for the student to be placed on a waitlist for Work-Study funding by reaching out to Financial Aid (finaid@weber.edu or 801-626-7569). Remember to include the student employee’s W# in all correspondence.
-
My student employee has been awarded Work-Study. How do we access that funding?
Students who are awarded Work-Study will need a Work-Study card from Financial Aid which should be completed and signed by the supervisor. If they have not already received one, they should request one to be emailed to them by contacting Financial Aid (finaid@weber.edu or 801-626-7569). The Financial Aid Office cannot issue a Work-Study card to the supervisor; it has to be issued to the student. Once the card is completed and signed, the student needs to take it to Payroll. Employees that have not previously been paid through WSU will need to complete the appropriate new hire paperwork with Payroll. Once Payroll has processed the Work-Study card, you will see a second position in TAS with W00001 as the Position Number.
-
How does Work-Study work with 50/50?
Your student employee cannot be funded with both Work-Study and 50/50 at the same time. If a student is employed in a 50/50 designated position and has been awarded Work-Study, you should use Work-Study funding first. If you notify Career Services that the student is filling the position, you will not be in danger of losing future 50/50 funding regardless of whether or not the student is funded through 50/50. When the student’s Work-Study award runs out, you can request 50/50 funding through Career Services.
