What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?
Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid that provides funding for certain on and off-campus jobs. It allows students to earn money to help pay education expenses, potentially reducing their need for loans. The FWS program is designed so that the FWS program funds and the student’s qualified employer share in paying the student’s wages.
What are the benefits for students?
- Provides valuable hands-on experiences that may be aligned with career goals
- Alleviates financial burdens of tuition and living expenses to allow students to focus more on studies and extracurricular activities
- Supports professional growth and networking opportunities
- Enables students to learn vital skills such as problem solving, time management, and effective communication
- Allows students to explore different career paths
- While FWS earnings are reported as taxable wages to the IRS, but they are withheld from your FAFSA earnings when determining the Student Aid Index SAI for the associated tax year.
How does payment work for students?
The money students earn comes directly to them in bi-weekly paychecks and can be used for paying day-to-day educational expenses. The FWS allotment is not paid in a lump sum or credited to the student’s bill.
How do students know if they qualify for FWS?
Students can check FWS eligibility in myPurdue portal. To check for FWS offer and accept aid, visit https://www.purdue.edu/dfa/accept/. Additionally, students must do the following:
- Annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal processor by April 15th annually.
- Complete verification requirements (if necessary).
- Be offered a Federal Work-Study award by the Division of Financial Aid. Federal Work-Study is awarded based on demonstrated need from the FAFSA. This funding is available to students seeking their first bachelor’s degree.
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program for at least 6 credit hours each semester during the academic year.
How do students utilize FWS throughout the year?
- Accept your FWS award in your myPurdue portal. If you do not plan to utilize your FWS award, please decline the award in your myPurdue portal.
- Find and secure a job with an eligible on-campus or off-campus employer and inform your potential employer that you have accepted an FWS award during the hiring process. Use the embedded myCCO widget to view work-study eligible jobs.
- Complete any additional employment forms from your employer.
