Also known as FWSP or "Work-Study", the Federal Work-Study Program is an employment program for some, but not all, financial aid recipients. Through FWSP, the federal government pays from 50% to 100% of an eligible student's wages, making it easier for an employer to hire a student or a student to find the right job.

Many students are confused by the term "Work-Study" and think they are eligible for its benefits simply because they are "working" while studying at school. In fact, the Federal Work-Study Program refers specifically to a federally funded financial aid program designed to create jobs to help students meet their educational expenses.

Work-Study eligibility is noted in financial aid award letters as "Federal Work-Study." Students "on Work-Study" are full time students, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who qualify for federal financial aid based on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other financial aid application information. These students may apply for Work-Study jobs posted on the web site with a designation and are often able to create their own positions in areas of particular interest to them.

The federal share of a student's FWS wage is determined by the position. The standard federal share for on-campus and most off-campus positions in non-profit organizations is 70%. Public service employers receive a 75% FWS benefit, and the wages of students serving as reading and math tutors under the America Reads and America Counts programs are reimbursed at 100%. On-campus employers during the summer and all off-campus employers also contribute from 5-10% for fringe benefits.

Regulations also allow students to work in career related jobs within the private (profit-making) sector. Employers pay 50% of the wages of these students plus from 5-10% fringe. The University, because it strongly supports the public service aspect of FWSP, does not actively promote private sector employment. However, students seeking experience in design and law firms, for example, may find the private sector FWSP option beneficial to their career plans.

The FWSP comes with strict rules for student and employer eligibility. To comply with these regulations, the University has established forms and procedures, which must be respected by students and employers alike. They are described in the following sections of this web site as well as within the Work-Study Packets eligible undergraduates obtain from the Student Employment Office and graduate students, from their Financial Aid Offices.