Work-Study Requirements

Whether you receive a work-study award each year as part of your financial aid package depends on whether you continue to have financial need and how much work-study funding your school receives. To reapply for aid each year, you must complete a renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Completing your FAFSA on time improves your changes of receiving a work-study award. Each school has their own priority deadline (generally March or April for the following academic year) but it's always a good idea to complete your FAFSA as early as possible starting in January.

Keeping Your Work-Study Eligibility
You must be enrolled at least half time each semester to maintain your eligibility for work-study. While you can generally hold more than one FWS job simultaneously, you cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year and 35 hours per week during breaks.

Although work-study is funded by the government as part of financial aid, a work-study job is also a real job that provides experience that you can include in your professional resume. Many employers like job applicants to have previous work experience, and if you do a good job in your work-study job, you may be able to get a letter of recommendation from your work-study employer.