Are Federal Work Study Jobs Guaranteed?
As students begin to receive financial aid award letters, families have questions regarding the different types of awards that are received. One such award that causes many questions is Federal Work Study. What is Federal Work Study and how does it… work? Glad you asked. Let’s take a look at a common question related to Federal Work Study.
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Federal Work Study
Let’s take a look at whether or not a student is guaranteed a job through Federal Work Study.
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What is Federal Work Study?
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a program in the United States that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated financial need. The program is administered by the Department of Education and is available to eligible students attending participating institutions of higher education.
The FWS program allows students to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience. Students typically work on-campus, but some may work off-campus at nonprofit organizations or public agencies. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study.
The amount of money a student can earn through FWS is determined by the student's financial need, the amount of funding the school receives from the federal government for the program, and the amount of hours the student is able to work. The program is intended to supplement, not replace, other forms of financial aid, such as grants and loans.
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Are Federal Work Study Jobs Guaranteed?
No. Just because a student is awarded work study doesn't mean they are guaranteed a job. Often, students are required to approach offices and departments on campus to apply for open jobs. Students awarded Federal Work Study tend to have an advantage over those that don't receive the award when it comes to gaining employment.
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There is a lot to be gained from our free general financial aid advice, but it’s also a very individual process. If you have remaining financial aid questions, email us to discuss more or book an individual session.