What is the federal work study program apex?

Asked by: Meghan Wiegand  |  Last update: March 4, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (28 votes)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is part-time employment offered to students who have financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so they can earn money toward their educational expenses.

What is the federal work study program?

The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study on the campus. Students may receive federal work study for a maximum of three years.

Can you keep federal work study money?

Federal Work Study is considered earned wages. It is not a lump sum grant. You are eligible to earn up to the dollar amount listed on your financial aid package over the course of the term / academic year.

What type of income is federal work study?

Work-Study is a need-based form of Financial Aid that you earn through on-campus or off-campus employment. You will receive payment in the form of a paycheck.

Is federal work study an award?

Federal Work Study is a need-based financial aid award to support your education through employment and make it easier for you to find a job. It is not a grant (you must work to earn it), and it is not a loan (you don't have to repay it). Students must qualify to receive a federal work study award.

College Federal Work Study Programs Pros & Cons And What To Expect

28 related questions found

Are federal work studies paid?

Establishing Wage Rates. Undergraduate students are paid Federal Work-Study (FWS) wages on an hourly basis only. Graduate students may be paid by the hour or may be paid a salary.

What qualifies as a federal award?

A federal “award” means grants, cooperative agreements, cost reimbursement contracts, and other agreements between the federal government and a non-federal entity such as a: State Government. Local Government.

Do you pay federal taxes on work-study?

Yes. All earnings are taxed - FWS or not. During the academic year, while you are attending classes full-time, state and federal taxes are withheld from your pay, but FICA (social security tax) is not. During the summer, when you are not attending classes full-time, state, federal, and FICA taxes are withheld.

Who funds Federal Work-Study?

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a federally funded program administered by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office that provides part-time employment opportunities to earn money to help pay education expenses through on and off-campus jobs.

Which two types of jobs are provided in the work study program?

Therefore, the two types of jobs foreseen in the Work Study Program are jobs related to the student's course of study and jobs available on the school campus.

What happens to leftover work-study money?

What Happens to Unused Work-Study Money? Unused work-study funds carry over between semesters. Students do not pay a penalty for not using all of their work-study awards in a school year. However, work-study is recalculated annually, so excess funds will not carry over from one school year to the next.

What is the advantage of work-study?

Work Study is a great opportunity for many students to gain relevant work experience, develop new skills, and contribute to their educational journey.

How much does it cost to submit a FAFSA?

Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid for school.

Should I say yes to work study on FAFSA?

As you fill out the FAFSA, you should come across a box asking whether you'd like to be considered for work-study (you need to answer yes!). However, there's no guarantee you'll get a work-study award just because you asked for it.

Which type of financial aid is considered free money?

Grants and scholarships are free aid (otherwise known as “gift aid”), meaning they don't need to be paid back, making them the most sought-after options.

Can federal work study wages be garnished?

CHILD SUPPORT STUDENT PAYROLL INSTRUCTIONS Remember: Federal Work study funds may not be garnished!! Access Employee Pay Items Setup (PR0022UG) in the ISRS Student Payroll Module, Employee Set-up Menu.

Do I have to pay back a Federal Work-Study?

And unlike a federal student loan, you don't have to pay this money back. Here are eight things you should know about Federal Work-Study: You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Jobs are limited, so it's important to act quickly.

How do you know if you are eligible for a Federal Work-Study?

How do I know if I'm eligible for work-study? To figure out if you qualify for work-study, you first need to submit an application to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). After your application is processed, you will find out if you're eligible for work-study.

How is work-study different from a regular job?

Work-study is a form of student employment limited to part-time during the school year, and students usually work no more than 20 hours a week. Partially funded by the federal government, this program provides financial assistance through student employment.

Is work study considered federal employment?

Federal Work-Study is a federally subsidized work program, which provides on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities to eligible undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.

Do you get a W-2 from work study?

YES, it is taxable income and you will receive a W-2 at the end of the year to file your taxes. Your W-2 will be available from the OMNI system for you to print in January. All questions concerning taxes being withheld from your paycheck must be directed to the IRS.

How is a Federal Work-Study calculated?

Work Study Award $ ÷ Hourly Pay Rate = Total hours available to work. After determining the number of allowable hours per week, a work schedule can be established between the supervisor and the student. The department and the student share the responsibility in monitoring the earnings.

What is the maximum cash award for federal employees?

Statute restricts performance awards to no more than 10 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic pay, except that a rating-based award may exceed 10 percent if the agency head determines that an employee's exceptional performance justifies such an award.

What are the clusters of federal programs?

Cluster of programs means a grouping of closely related programs that share common compliance requirements. The types of clusters of programs are research and development (R&D), student financial aid (SFA), and other clusters.

What is the difference between a grant and a federal award?

In general terms, “substantial involvement” refers to the degree to which federal employees are directly performing or implementing parts of the award program. In a grant, the federal government provides oversight and monitoring but is not directly involved in the project.